Lake Carmi Bog Natural Area - Click here for photos

At 140 acres, Lake Carmi Bog is at the south end of the Lake Carmi State Park and is almost entirely dominated by black spruce and tamarack, with an understory of mountain holly, other shrubs, especially mountain holly. The plants include pitcher plants, sedges, sphagnum mosses, and other typical bog plants. The black spruce bog is largely undisturbed and is unusual in Vermont for its size.

The bog is a designated State Natural Area. Natural Areas have been set aside for the preservation and protection of their unique ecological, geological, or scenic and contemplative values. The road to Camping Area “B” cuts through the bog and is the northern boundary of the Natural Area. The high ground on which Camping Area “B” is built would be an island if not for the bog.

Lake Carmi is the fourth largest natural lake located entirely within Vermont. It is 7.5 miles around, averaging about 20 feet in depth, and is 33 feet at its deepest point. The lake supports northern pike, walleyes, and other warm water species. The lake drains north into Quebec’s Pike River, then into Lake Champlain. Lake Carmi was once much larger. In the thousands of years since the last ice age, the southern end of the original lake has silted in, creating wetland forests and the third largest peat bog in Vermont.

The state park includes over two miles of frontage on the south and east shore of Lake Carmi. Most of the 482-acres were purchased in 1959. The park was developed in stages through the 1960’s. Some of the land is under agricultural license so the open fields are maintained by farming activity.

Facts:

Lake Maximum Depth 33 feet

Fish Species

Walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, brown bullhead and various panfish species (a small population of largemouth bass also exists).

Habitat

Lake Carmi primarily features a hard, rocky-bottom that provides prime habitat for various fish species and their forage. While the lake's bottom is fairly gradual and shallow with minimal offshore fish-holding structure, the lake does have shoreline fish cover such as extending points, rock piles, boat docks, and overhanging trees. Submerged vegetation can also be found in the shallow southwest corner of the lake adjacent to the state park.