2017 Vermont Statutes
Title 10 Appendix - Conservation and Development
Chapter 2 - Fish
§ 122 Fish Management Regulation

[Section 122 effective January 1, 2018; see also section 122 effective until January 1, 2018 set out above.]

§ 122. Fish Management Regulation

 1.0 Authority

This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081(b). In adopting this rule, the Fish and Wildlife Board is following the policy established by the General Assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish, wildlife and fur-bearing animals in this State is in the interest of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the people of the State requires a constant and continual vigilance.

In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4082, this rule is designed to maintain the best health, population and utilization levels of Vermont's fisheries.

In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4083, this rule establishes open seasons; establishes daily, season, possession limits and size limits; prescribes the manner and means of taking fish; and prescribes the manner of transportation and exportation of fish.

 2.0 Purpose

It is the policy of the State that the protection, propagation control, management and conservation of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals in this State is in the interest of the public welfare, and that safeguarding of this valuable resource for the people of the State requires a constant and continual vigilance.

 3.0 Open-Water Fishing, legal methods of taking fish

3.1 Definitions

3.1.1 Department - Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

3.1.2 Commissioner - Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife

Commissioner.

3.1.3 Open-water fishing - Fishing by means of hook and line in hand or

attached to a rod or other device in open water. Fishing by casting or

trolling baited hooks, artificial flies or lures is considered open-water

fishing.

3.1.4 Baited Hook - A single shank hook with 1, 2, or 3 points which

may be baited with natural or artificial bait or both.

3.1.5 Lure - A man-made device designed to catch only 1 fish at a time,

to include a spoon, plug, spinner, bait harness, tandem hook streamer or

lead head jig.

3.1.6 Fly - A single pointed hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread,

tinsel, or any similar material wound on or about the hook to which no

hooks, spinners, spoons, or similar devices have been added.

3.1.7 Handheld Spear - A manually powered spear used from above the

water's surface.

3.1.8 Speargun - A pneumatic or rubber band powered device, with a

line not to exceed 20 feet attached to a spear, used from below the

water's surface.

3.1.9 Cull Fish - Carp, tench, rudd, shad (alewife and gizzard shad), and

goldfish. Additional invasive/exotic fish species may be designated by

the Commissioner as "cull fish."

3.1.10 Immediate Control - Such constant control as would enable the

angler to respond forthwith to a fish taking their bait, lure or fly promptly

and without any delay.

3.1.11 Snagging - Snagging shall mean the intentional hooking of a fish

in a place other than the inside of the fish's mouth. No person shall pull,

jerk or otherwise purposefully and/or repeatedly manipulate a hook, or

hooks and line to snag or hook a fish in any method other than to entice a

fish into taking, by mouth, a hook, lure or fly.       Repeated and/or

exaggerated jerking or pulling of the fishing line and/or hooks in any

attempt to snag fish, whether it results in physically snagging a fish or

not, shall be prima facie evidence that snagging has taken place. This

shall not apply to the use of a gaff to land a fish that has been legally

hooked.

3.2 Whether still fishing, casting, or trolling in Vermont waters, a person may take fish only by using not more than two lines over which he or she has immediate control and to each of which lines is attached not more than two baited hooks, or more than three artificial flies, or more than two lures with or without bait, except that at Seymour Lake and Little Averill Lake a person may take fish only by using not more than one line.

3.3 A person open-water fishing shall not take fish through the ice, from the ice, or from an object supported by the ice.

3.4 A person shall not take any fish pursuant to subsection (3.2) unless it is hooked in the mouth. Any fish taken under subsection (3.2) that is not hooked in the mouth shall be immediately released pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4602. A fish hooked in any part of the body other than in the mouth shall be considered to be foul hooked, and shall be prima facie evidence of foul hooking.

3.5 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters.

 4.0 Ice Fishing

4.1 Definitions

4.1.1 Ice Fishing - Ice fishing is defined as fishing by means of hook and

line in hand or attached to a rod, tip-up, jack or bob, where the angler is

fishing through a hole in the ice, from the ice or on an object supported

by the ice. Fishing by casting or trolling baited hooks, artificial flies or

lures shall not be considered ice fishing.

4.2 Fish may be taken through the ice with not more than two baited hooks or three artificial flies or two lures on each line. A person shall not operate more than eight lines, except on Lake Champlain where no more than 15 lines may be operated, and except on Seymour and Little Averill Lakes, where not more than four lines may be operated.

4.3 A person ice fishing shall at all times, have immediate control over all lines they operate. A person ice fishing shall be able to visually observe lines they operate. Any line that indicates a fish shall be tended with 30 minutes.

4.4 A person shall not take any fish pursuant to subsection (4.2) unless it is hooked in the mouth. Any fish taken under subsection (4.2) that is not hooked in the mouth shall be immediately released pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4602. A fish hooked in any part of the body other than in the mouth shall be considered to be foul hooked, and shall be prima facie evidence of foul hooking.

4.5 The definitions of section 3 are applicable to this section.

4.6 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters.

 5.0 The taking, possessing, transporting, use and selling of baitfish

 5.1 Purpose

5.1.1 This rule applies to fish used as bait. This rule shall apply to all

persons who take, possess, transport, use, or deal with baitfish.

5.1.2 The purpose of this paragraph is to: a) protect the fish, and fisheries

in the State, b) ensure the conservation of the fish and fisheries in the

State, c) maintain the best health of species of the State, d) prevent the

introduction or spread of a disease or parasite harmful to humans and

wild species, and e) prevent the escape or release of non-native species

or species injurious to or competitive with natural ecological systems and

processes.

      5.2 Definitions

5.2.1 "Application" means a specific form provided by the Department

of Fish and Wildlife.

5.2.2 "Baitbox" means a receptacle used for holding or keeping baitfish

alive for personal use. A legal baitbox shall not exceed 25 cubic feet in

volume.

5.2.3 "Baitfish" means fish species and parts thereof, living or dead, used

for the purpose of attracting and catching fish.

5.2.4 "Commercial Dealing, dealing, or deal" means to sell as defined in

10 V.S.A. § 4001, subsection (22).

5.2.5 "Fish Hatchery" refers to any fish culture station, hatchery, or

artificial rearing pond which grows or maintains baitfish for sale in

Vermont.

5.2.6 "Permit" is a document from the Commissioner granting a

Commercial Bait Dealers Permit.

5.2.7 "Waterbody" means any lake, pond, river, or stream including all

tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable to upstream fish

movement.

5.2.8 "Commercially Preserved Baitfish" means baitfish which are

chemically treated in a manner approved by the Department, and then

packaged for retail sale.

5.2.9 "Personal Baitfish Harvest" means baitfish taken for

noncommercial use.

      5.3 Personal Baitfish Harvest

5.3.1 Personally harvested baitfish may be used only on the same

waterbody from which they were collected.

5.3.2 A person may harvest for baitfish only those fish species listed

under paragraphs 5.6.1, 5.6.2 and 5.6.3.

5.3.3 It is unlawful to take baitfish for personal use other than by the

following methods: a) minnow traps no longer than eighteen inches with

an entrance for fish not exceeding one inch in diameter, b) dip nets, cast

nets, and umbrella nets not exceeding a total of 51 square feet of mesh,

or a seine net not exceeding 25 feet in length, c) Open-water/ice fishing

by hook and line.

5.3.4 The personal harvest of baitfish is unlawful in Seasonally Closed

Waters as listed in Section 9.0 of this regulation, except during the open

season for trout, and is prohibited in streams as specified in Section 9.2.

Baitfish harvest shall be conducted only by Open-water/ice fishing or the

use of minnow traps no longer than eighteen inches with an entrance for

fish not exceeding one inch in diameter.

5.3.5 All traps, nets, baitboxes or other holding receptacles capable of

taking, holding or keeping live baitfish in public waters must be marked

with the name and address of the owner and user.

5.3.6 Personally harvested baitfish shall not be transported by motorized

vehicle away from the waterbody from which they were collected.

5.3.7 Baitfish may be held on the water in a pen or baitbox as defined in

paragraph 5.2.2.

5.3.8 Personally harvested baitfish may be collected from a waterbody's

tributaries upstream to the first impassable barrier for use on such

waterbody. Personally harvested baitfish shall not be transported

upstream beyond the first impassable barrier.

5.3.9 The personal harvest of baitfish is prohibited on any waterbody of

the State that is defined as closed to baitfish harvest. The Department

will maintain and make available a list of closed waters.

5.3.10 Fish eggs may be collected from legally harvested fish from

Vermont waters, and used immediately as bait on the same water where

taken unless that waterbody has been closed to baitfish collection. It is

illegal to move personally harvested fish eggs to any other waterbody. It

is illegal to transport fish eggs away from and return them to the same

waterbody for use as bait unless they have been processed in a manner

approved by the Department as described on the Department website.

      5.4 Commercially Purchased Baitfish

5.4.1 It is unlawful to import baitfish into the State of Vermont without a

Fish Importation Permit, except as provided for in paragraphs 5.4.7 and

5.4.8.

5.4.2 A person purchasing baitfish shall retain and show upon request a

transportation receipt issued by a State-approved commercial bait dealer,

authorizing transportation of baitfish overland by motorized vehicle. The

receipt shall contain the following information: 1) A unique receipt

identification number, 2) The name and telephone number of the bait

dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species purchased, 5) quantity

purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the baitfish will be

used, 7) signature of purchaser.

5.4.3 A transportation receipt shall be valid for 96 hours from time and

date of sale.

5.4.4 A person may transport unused commercially purchased baitfish

away from waters of the State by motorized vehicle, and retain for later

use on the same waterbody as indicated on the baitfish transportation

receipt, within 96 hours from time and date of sale.

5.4.5 A person transporting unused commercially purchased baitfish

away from the waterbody indicated on the baitfish transportation receipt

for later use on said waterbody shall not hold them in any other water of

the State. These baitfish must be kept in a closed container isolated from

any inflow of lake, pond or stream water, or outflow to such waters of

the State.

5.4.6 Baitfish may be held beyond the 96 hour period on the water in a

pen or baitbox as per paragraph 5.2.2.

5.4.7 A person may purchase baitfish from a New York baitshop for use

on Lake Champlain only, provided the baitshop is Vermont-licensed, and

the baitfish are accompanied by a Vermont-issued baitfish transportation

receipt.

5.4.8 A person may purchase baitfish from a New Hampshire baitshop

for use on the Connecticut River and its setbacks only, provided the

baitshop is Vermont-licensed, and the baitfish are accompanied by a

Vermont-issued baitfish transportation receipt. For the purposes of this

paragraph, the Connecticut River is defined as all waters of the river

including the bays, setbacks, and tributaries, only to the first highway

bridge crossing said tributaries on the Vermont side.

5.4.9 Commercially prepared and preserved baitfish and fish eggs

available from retail stores may be purchased and used as bait, and may

be taken home and kept for later use, provided they are retained in the

original packaging at all times.

      5.5 Commercial Bait Dealers

5.5.1 Any person who buys bait for resale or sells baitfish is required to

obtain a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit from the Commissioner. Only

persons operating a place of business and offering baitfish for sale to the

public may apply for and hold a Commercial Bait Dealers permit.

5.5.2 Commercial Bait Dealers may sell as bait only those species of fish

listed under section 5.6.1. Commercial Bait Dealers may also sell

rainbow smelt as bait, provided they are obtained from a fish hatchery

approved by the Commissioner as per paragraph 5.5.4 and its subsections

below, or harvested by Open-water/ice fishing and sold for use on the

same waterbody on which the Bait Dealer is located as per paragraph

5.5.5 and its subsections below.

5.5.3 Commercial Bait Dealers must declare in their permit application if

they will be a Statewide baitfish dealer, or a Waterbody-Specific baitfish

dealer.

5.5.4 Statewide baitfish dealers are prohibited from possessing, buying

or selling wild-caught baitfish.

5.5.4.1 Baitfish sold by Statewide baitfish dealers must originate from a fish hatchery approved by the Commissioner.

5.5.4.2 Statewide baitfish dealers must hold or keep baitfish in waters drawn from a secure well or municipal water source, or other water source as approved by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

5.5.4.3 Baitfish sold by Statewide baitfish dealers may be used in waters throughout the State, except those waters as described in Section 6.0 of this regulation.

5.5.5 Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers must declare on their permit

application the waterbody on which they are located.

5.5.5.1 Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers may harvest wild baitfish only from the declared waterbody, and offer them for sale and use only on the declared waterbody.

5.5.5.2 Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers must have baitfish holding facilities that discharge directly to their declared waterbody. Holding facilities must not discharge to other waters of the State.

5.5.5.3 Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers shall not operate dip nets, cast nets, or umbrella nets exceeding 51 square feet of mesh, or a seine net exceeding 125 feet in length, for the purposes of taking fish for bait, unless otherwise provided for on a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit. Baitfish netting is prohibited in all Seasonally Closed Waters as listed in Section 9.0 of this regulation, unless otherwise provided for on a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit.

5.5.5.4 All traps, nets, baitboxes or other holding receptacles capable of taking, holding or keeping live baitfish in public waters must be marked with the name and address of the owner and user.

5.5.5.5 The commercial harvest of baitfish is prohibited on any waterbody of the State that is defined as closed to baitfish harvest. The Department will maintain and make available a list of closed waters.

5.5.6 A Commercial Bait Dealer shall provide to each customer at the

point of sale a copy of a transportation receipt containing the following

information: 1) A unique receipt identification number, 2) The name and

telephone number of the bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species

purchased, 5) quantity purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on

which the baitfish will be used, 7) signature of purchaser.

5.5.7 A transportation receipt shall be valid for 96 hours from time and

date of sale.

5.5.8 Receipt books shall be provided to Commercial Bait Dealers by the

Department.

5.5.9 Any holder of a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit shall maintain

receipts or records for each lot of wholesaled hatchery-raised or wild-

caught baitfish introduced into their shop. The receipts or records shall

include: name, address and telephone number of seller (for wholesaled

baitfish), and date received, species identification, and quantity

purchased or harvested, for wholesaled and wild-caught baitfish. The

permit holder shall retain the receipts and records for at least one year

after the date of sale or harvest. Receipts or records must be provided to

the Department immediately upon request.

 5.6 Approved Species of Fish for use as Bait

5.6.1

   Banded killifish Fundulus diaphanus

   Blacknose dace Rhinichthys atratulus

   Bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus

   Common shiner Luxilus cornutus

   Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus

   Eastern silvery minnow Hybognathus regius

   Emerald shiner Notropis atherinoides

   Fallfish Semotilus corporalis

   Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas

   Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas

   Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae

   Longnose sucker Catostomus catostomus

   Mimic shiner Notropis volucellus

   Northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos

   Spottail shiner Notropis hudsonius

   White sucker Catostomus commersoni

5.6.2 The following additional fish species, or parts thereof, may be

taken only by Open-water/ice fishing and used for bait only in those

waters where taken and shall not be transported alive from those waters;

only Rainbow smelt may be commercially sold as bait:

   Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus

   Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus

   Rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax

   Rock bass Ambloplites rupestris

Yellow perch Perca flavescens

5.6.3 Lake Champlain - In addition to 5.6.2, the following fish species,

or parts thereof, may be taken only by Open-water/ice fishing in Lake

Champlain and used as bait in Lake Champlain, as described in Section

7.0 of this regulation, and may not be commercially harvested or sold as

bait; Alewife may only be used/possessed if dead:

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus

White perch Morone americana

5.6.4 All other species of fish are prohibited for use as bait.

 5.7 Commercial Bait Dealer Application Process

5.7.1 A party who wishes to obtain a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit

shall apply to the Commissioner in writing on a form provided by the

Department. The Department may require the applicant to submit such

additional information as is necessary to determine that the permitted

activities comply with the purposes of this rule, including but not limited

to fish health testing, and the impact to Vermont's fish and fisheries.

5.7.2 If the application is deficient, the Department shall inform the

applicant of the deficiencies and return the application within 30 days of

receipt, along with any associated fee, to the applicant for revision and

re-submission.

5.7.3 If the application is denied, the Commissioner shall, within 30 days

of receipt of application, send the applicant a written denial providing the

reasons for the denied.

 5.8 Permit Compliance

5.8.1 The Permittee shall make the permit available upon request by an

agent of the Department. Premises and equipment used by persons to

take, store, or deal in baitfish shall be accessible for inspection by the

Commissioner and his or her agents. Samples for species determination

or disease examination shall be made available immediately upon

request.

5.8.2 Permittees shall provide the Department with additional

information as requested on an annual basis or prior to the re-issuance of

a new permit.

 5.9 Permit Revocation

5.9.1 The Commissioner may revoke any permit issued in order to

protect regulated species: for any violation of a permit; failure to comply

with this rule; a violation of any rules of the Board; or a violation of the

provisions of 10 V.S.A. Part 4; if the Commissioner determines it is in

the best interest of the fish or fisheries of Vermont.

5.9.2 Prior to permit revocation, the Commissioner shall provide a

proceeding consistent with 3 V.S.A. § 814(c).

5.9.3 Appeals of the decisions of the Commissioner are subject to the

Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure.

 6.0 Use of fish as bait

The use of fish in any form whether alive or dead for bait in fishing is prohibited in:

Adams Reservoir, Woodford;

Beaver Pond, Holland;

Beebe Pond, Sunderland;

Big Mud Pond, Mt. Tabor;

Blake Pond, Sutton;

Bourn Pond, Sunderland;

Branch Pond, Sunderland;

Cow Mountain Pond, Granby;

Griffith Lake, Mt. Tabor;

Jobs Pond, Westmore;

Lewis Pond, Lewis;

Little Rock Pond, Wallingford;

Martins Pond, Peacham;

McIntosh Pond, Royalton;

North Pond, Chittenden;

Notch Pond, Ferdinand;

Red Mill Pond, Woodford;

Sterling Pond, Cambridge;

South America Pond, Ferdinand;

Stratton Pond, Stratton;

Unknown Pond, Averys Gore;

Unknown Pond, Ferdinand

and any ponds as may be created or reclaimed by the Department of

Fish and Wildlife. This regulation shall be posted at all waters affected.

 7.0 Lake Champlain Boundaries

Lake Champlain proper shall be considered to include the setback at the

same level and the major tributaries to the lake to the following

boundaries:

Dead Creek to Panton Road bridge in Panton;

East Creek to the falls in Orwell (downstream of Mount Independence Road);

Lamoille River to the top of first dam (Peterson Dam) in Milton;

LaPlatte River to the falls in Shelburne (under Falls Road bridge);

Lewis Creek to falls in North Ferrisburgh (just upstream of Old Hollow Road);

Little Otter Creek to falls in Ferrisburgh Center (downstream of Little Chicago Road);

Malletts Creek to the first falls upstream of Roosevelt Highway (US 2 and US 7) in Colchester;

Mill River in Georgia to the falls in Georgia (just upstream of Georgia Shore Road bridge);

Missisquoi River to the top of Swanton Dam in the Village of Swanton;

Mud Creek to the dam in Alburg (just upstream of Route 78 bridge);

Otter Creek to the top of the dam in the city of Vergennes;

Poultney River to Central Vermont Power Dam at Carver Falls in West Haven.

Rock River to first Canadian border crossing;

Winooski River to the Winooski One hydropower dam west of Main Street (US 7) in Winooski and Burlington;

 8.0 Clyde River: Catch and Release

Between September 1 and October 31, on the Clyde River from Lake

Memphremagog upstream to Charleston Dam (Lubber Lake), West

Charleston, a person may fish with artificial flies and lures only, and all

salmon caught must be released.

 9.0 Seasonally Closed Waters

9.1 The following lakes and ponds or portions thereof are hereby designated

Seasonally Closed Waters and shall be closed to all fishing except during

the open season for trout as provided in section 10 of these regulations:

Adams Reservoir, Woodford

Ansel Pond, Bethel

Baker Pond, Barton

Bald Hill Pond, Westmore

Bean Pond, Sutton

Beaver Pond, Holland

Beck Pond, Newark

Beebe Pond, Sunderland

Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill

Big Mud Pond, Mt. Tabor

Blake Pond, Sutton

Bourn Pond, Sunderland

Branch Pond, Sunderland

Brown Pond, Westmore

Caspian Lake, Greensboro

Center Pond, Newark

Colby Pond, Plymouth

Cow Mountain Pond, Granby

Crystal Lake, Barton

Duck Pond, Sutton

Dufresne Pond, Manchester

East Long Pond, Woodbury

Echo Lake, Charleston

Ewell Pond, Peacham

Forest Lake, Averill

Goshen Dam (Sugar Hill Reservoir),Goshen

Griffith Lake, Mt. Tabor

Hapgood Pond, Peru

Hartwell Pond, Albany

Holland Pond, Holland

Jobs Pond, Westmore

Knapp Brook Pond No. 1, Reading and Cavendish

Knapp Brook Pond No. 2, Reading and Cavendish

Lake Dunmore-Salisbury and Leicester - Except from Sucker Brook to the island south, which shall be open.

Levi Pond, Groton

Lewis Pond, Lewis

Little Averill Lake, Averill

Little Elmore Pond, Elmore

Little Rocky Pond, Wallingford

Long Pond, Newbury

Long Pond, Westmore

\Maidstone Lake, Maidstone

Marl Pond, Sutton

Martins Pond, Peacham

May Pond, Barton

McIntosh Pond, Royalton

Mud Pond, Hyde Park

Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and Woodbury

Nichols Pond, Woodbury

North Pond, Chittenden

Norton Pond, Norton

Notch Pond, Ferdinand

Noyes (Seyon) Pond, Groton

Peacham Pond, Peacham

Perch Pond (Zack Woods Pond), Hyde Park

Pigeon Pond, Groton

Red Mill Pond, Woodford

Seymour Lake, Morgan

Shadow Lake, Glover

Silver Lake, Leicester

South America Pond, Ferdinand

South Pond, Marlboro

Spring Lake, Shrewsbury

Stannard Pond, Stannard

Sterling Pond, Cambridge

Stoughton Pond, Weathersfield

Stratton Pond, Stratton

Sunset Lake, Benson

Unknown Pond, Averys Gore

Unknown Pond, Ferdinand

Vail Pond, Sutton

Vernon Hatchery Pond, Vernon

West Mountain Pond, Maidstone

Wheeler Pond, Barton and Sutton

Willoughby Lake, Westmore

Zack Woods (Perch Pond), Hyde Park

9.2 All streams are hereby designated Seasonally Closed Waters and shall

be closed to all fishing except during the open season for trout as provided

in section 10 of these regulations; and

9.2.1 except that the following streams shall be open to trout fishing

only, and no fishing for other species shall be allowed, from November 1

to the Friday before the second Saturday in April, as set forth in Table

9.2.2.

9.2.2: STREAMS OPEN TO FISHING FOR TROUT ONLY FROM

NOVEMBER 1 TO THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE SECOND WEEK

IN APRIL

1. Waters

2. Methods

3.Season

Size Restrictions

5.Daily Bag Limit

Listed Below

Artificial fly or lure only

November 1 to the Friday before the 2nd Saturday in April:

Catch and release only

Zero-All trout must be immediately released to the water where taken:

Black River – From the top of the Lovejoy Dam in Springfield upstream to  the Howard Hill Road Bridge in Cavendish.

Deerfield River – From the Woods Road (Medburyville) bridge in Wilmington upstream approximately 2 miles to the VT Route 9W bridge in Searsburg.

East Creek (Rutland City) – From the confluence with Otter Creek upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City.

Hoosic River – From the Vermont/New York border upstream to the Vermont/Massachusetts border.

Lamoille River – From the top of the hydroelectric dam at Fairfax Falls upstream to the top of the Cady’s Falls Dam in Morristown. 

Moose River – From the confluence with Passumpsic River upstream to the downstream edge of the Concord Avenue bridge in St. Johnsbury.

Otter Creek – From the top of the Center Rutland Falls in Rutland upstream to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Road Bridge (Forest Road #10) in Mt. Tabor.

Passumpsic River – From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of Arnolds Falls Dam in St. Johnsbury.

Walloomsac River– From the Vermont/New York border in Bennington upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of Murphy Road) in Bennington. 

Winooski River – From the top of the Bolton Dam  in Waterbury and Duxbury upstream to the VT Route 2/100 in Duxbury and Waterbury.

10.0 Fish - Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits.

Fish of the species named or described in the tables set forth below may

be taken:

In the waters specified in column 1, by the method specified in column 2,

during the open season specified in column 3.

Provided they meet any size restrictions specified in column 4., and only in

numbers listed under daily bag limits specified in column 5., under no

circumstances may a person take in one day, more than the daily bag or

weight limit from a listed body of water. No person may take in aggregate

more than the daily State-wide aggregate limit for any species listed.

Businesses may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the

Commissioner, pursuant to the Commercial angling rules set forth in 10

V.S.A. App. 123.

10.1 Possession limits are equal to twice the daily bag limits. Fish species

with limit restrictions may not be possessed in excess of the possession

limits at any time.

10.1.1 No person shall have live fish in their possession that are

transported in a manner which attempts to keep them alive when

leaving waters of the State (10 V.S.A. §  1251(13)), except as follows:

10.1.1.1 the person has been issued a Commercial Bait Dealers

Permit by the Commissioner,

10.1.1.2 the person has been issued scientific collection permit by

the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity,

10.1.1.3 the person has been issued a fish transportation permit

by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity,

10.1.1.4 the person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish

importation permit by the Commissioner which specifically

approves of the activity.

     10.2 The daily bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed

     season for that fish species is zero.

     10.3 "General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all waters

     of the State, except the waters specifically named or described.

     10.4 Unless otherwise specifically provided, fish not listed in this regulation    

     may be taken at any time and without size or catch limit, in waters not listed    

     as Seasonally Closed Waters in Section 9 of these regulations.

     10.5 Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits Tables

10.5.1 STATEWIDE AGGREGATE DAILY BAG LIMITS       

(Maximum number of a fish species that may be taken in one day)

         FISH SPECIES                          DAILY AGGREGRATE LIMITS

Brook Trout                                                     12 fish

Brown and Rainbow Trout        Maximum Combination of 6 fish

Lake Trout                               2 fish, (3 if taken from Lake Champlain)

Salmon                                                             2 fish

Large and Smallmouth Bass      Maximum combination of 5 fish

Northern Pike                                                   5 fish

Chain Pickerel                                                  10 fish

Muskellunge                                                     0 fish

Walleye                                                            3 fish

Black and White Crappie                      25 fish

American Shad                                                 0 fish

Yellow Perch                                                    50 fish

Yellow Perch exception                        Lake Champlain - No daily limit

Sauger                                                  0 fish

10.5.2 BROOK, BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT

1. Waters          2. Methods        3. Season          4. Size               5. Daily Bag

                                                                        Restrictions       Limit

General             Open-Water                   Second              No restriction     6 trout

waters.                fishing                        Saturday in

(except as                                  April through

listed below)                              October 31

Lake Champlain Open-water        No closed          Minimum length             3 trout

                        and ice fishing   season               of 12 inches

Rivers and         Open-water                   Second              No restriction     12 trout, of

Streams               fishing            Saturday in                                            which not

April through                             more

                                                October 31                                than 6 can be

                                                                                                brown and/or

                                                                                                            rainbow

10.5.3 TROPHY TROUT STREAMS

1. Waters          2. Methods        3. Season          4. Size               5. Daily Bag

                                                                        Restrictions       Limit

Listed Below:  Open-water       Second             No restriction  2 trout in

                             fishing          Saturday in                               aggregate

                                                April through

                                                October 31

Black River along Rt. 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, - from

Downers covered bridge upstream (approximately 4 miles) to the next bridge

across the river, The Howard Hill Bridge.

East Creek in Rutland City - From the confluence with Otter Creek

upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland

City.

Lamoille River From the downstream edge of the bridge on Route 104 in

the Village of Fairfax upstream (approximately 1.6 miles) to the top of the

Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax.

Little River - From the confluence with Winooski River in Waterbury

upstream to the top of the Waterbury Reservoir Dam in Waterbury.

Missisquoi River in Enosburg and Sheldon - From the downstream edge

of Kane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream (approximately 5.7 miles) to the top of

the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.

Otter Creek in Danby and Mt. Tabor - From the Vermont Railway Bridge

north of the fishing access upstream (approximately 2 miles) to the Danby-Mt.

Tabor Forest Rd. Bridge (Forest Road # 10).

Passumpsic River in the Village of St. Johnsbury - From the top of

the Gage Dam in St. Johnsbury upstream (approximately 2.4 miles) to the top

of the Arnold Falls Dam.

Moose River - From the confluence with the Passumpsic River

upstream (approximately 350 feet) to the downstream edge of the Concord

Avenue bridge in the Village of St. Johnsbury.

Walloomsac River in Bennington - From the Vermont/New York border

upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of

Murphy Road) in Bennington.

Winooski River in Duxbury and Waterbury - From the top of the Bolton

Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury upstream to the Route 2 Bridge (east side of

Waterbury Village).

10.5.4 RAINBOW TROUT (Including STEELHEAD) / BROWN

TROUT

1. Waters      2. Methods      3. Season                 4. Size                           5. Daily Bag

                                                            Restrictions                   Limit

Listed       Open-water   Second         Minimum length              2 trout

Below:      fishing          Saturday in   of 10 inches

                                       April through

                                       October 31

 Lakes and Ponds

      Caspian Lake, Greensboro

      Echo Lake,

Charleston

      Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and the connecting waters),

            Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport;

Willoughby Lake, Westmore

Rivers and Streams:

      Orleans County:

          Barton River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to the downstream side of the US Route 5 bridge southernmost and closest to the Village of Barton in Barton.

Black River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to the downstream side of the VT Route 14 / 58 bridge in Irasburg.

          Johns River - From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert) upstream of Lake Memphremagog on North Derby Road (TH #6) upstream to U.S. 5, in Derby.

Willoughby River - The entire Willoughby River, from the confluence with Barton River in Barton upstream to the Willoughby Lake outlet  in Westmore.

10.5.5 BROOK, BROWN RAINBOW, LAKE TROUT AND

SALMON – 2 FISH AGGREGATE LIMITS

1. Waters      2. Methods      3. Season       4. Size                   5. Daily Bag

                                                                        Restrictions       Limit

Listed          Open-water       Second                See                  Two fish in

below:         fishing               Saturday in            regulations     aggregate

                                              April through      for specific

                                              October 31        bodies of

                                                                        waters

Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill

Caspian Lake, Greensboro

Center

Pond, Newark

Crystal Lake, Barton

East Long Pond, Woodbury

Echo Lake,

Charleston

Elligo Lake, Craftsbury and Greensboro

Forest Lake (Nelson

Pond), Calais and Woodbury

Harveys Lake, Barnet

Lake Dunmore, Salisbury

Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport

Little Averill Lake, Averill

Long Pond, Westmore

Maidstone Lake, Maidstone

Nelson Pond (Forest

Lake), Calais and Woodbury

Nichols Pond, Woodbury

Seymour Lake, Morgan

Shadow Lake, Glover

Spring Lake, Shrewsbury

Sunset Lake, Benson

Willoughby Lake, Westmore.

10.5.7 LAKE TROUT AND SALMON

1. Waters         2. Methods      3. Season          4. Size              5. Daily Bag

                                                                        Restrictions       Limit

General            Open-water   Second              Salmon -          2 Lake Trout

Waters (all        fishing            Saturday in          Minimum  or     2 Salmon or

waters except                        April through       length of           1 of each

listed below)                          October 31         15 inches

                                                                        Lake Trout -

                                                                        Minimum

                                                                        Length of

                                                                        18 inches

Lake                Open-water  No Closed           Lake Trout       3 Lake Trout

Champlain        and ice          Season                and Salmon -   and 2 Salmon

                        fishing                                       Minimum

                                                                        length of

                                                                        15 inches

Little                 Open-water  Angling:                Lake Trout -    1 Lake Trout

Averill              fishing, with second                   Minimum          and 1 salmon

Lake                not more       Saturday in           length of

and                   1 line            April through        20 inches          or 2 Salmon

Seymour                               October 31

Lake

                        Ice fishing   Ice fishing:              Salmon -

                        with not       third Saturday        Minimum

                        more than    in January              length of

                        4 lines          through March       15 inches

                                           15

Clyde Pond,    Open-        Second                    Lake Trout -    2 Lake Trout

Pond,               water          Saturday in Minimum          or 2 Salmon

Salem Lake,    fishing       April through            length of           or 2 Salmon or

Little Salem                        August 31               18 inches          1 of each

Lake, and                          

Clyde River

from Lake

Memphremagog

upstream to

Citizen's

Charleston

Dam (Lubber

Lake), West

Charleston

                                                                        Salmon -

                                                                        Minimum

                                                                        length of

                                                                        17 inches

                        Open-           September 1        Lake                            2 Lake Trout,

                        water             through                Trout -             0 Salmon, (all

                        fishing:         October 31           Minimum          salmon must be

                        River from                                length of           immediately

            Lake                                        18 inches          released

            Memphremagog                                                     

                        to Charleston

                        Dam -

                        Artificial

                        flies and

                        lures only

Lake                Open-water   Second               Lake Trout -    2 Lake Trout

Memphremagog   fishing     Saturday in             Minimum          or 2 Salmon or

(including                               April through       length of           1 of each

South Bay                             October 31         18 inches

                        Ice Fishing   Third Saturday      Salmon -

                                              in January           Minimum

                                              through               length of

                                              March 15           17 inches

Listed               Open-water   Second        Lake Trout -    2 Lake Trout

Below:               fishing       Saturday in     Minimum length  or 2 Salmon or

                                           April through   of 18 inches    1 of each

                                           October 31

                                                                   Salmon -

                                                                   Minimum length

                                                                   of 17 inches

Orleans County:

       Barton River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to the downstream side of the US Route 5 bridge southernmost and closest to the Village of Barton in Barton.

            Black River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to the downstream side of the VT Route 14 / 58 bridge in Irasburg.

            Johns River - From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert) upstream of Lake Memphremagog on North Derby Road  (TH #6) upstream

to U.S. 5, in Derby.

       Willoughby River - The entire Willoughby River, from confluence with Barton River in Barton upstream to the Willoughby Lake outlet in Westmore.

10.5.8 SPECIAL ICE FISHING PROVISIONS FOR BROOK, BROWN,

RAINBOW, LAKE TROUT, SALMON AND BASS

1. Waters     2. Methods      3. Season              4. Size              5. Daily Bag

                                                                        Restrictions       Limit

Listed       Ice Fishing         Third Saturday        See species      See species

below:                                   in January            restriction         restriction

                                             through March   for individual  for individual

                                             15                       body of water  body of water

Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill;

Big Salem Lake, Derby;

Caspian

Lake, Greensboro;

Chittenden Dam, Chittenden;

Crystal Lake, Barton;

Echo Lake, Charleston;

Echo Lake, Plymouth;

Eden Lake, Eden;

Elligo Lake, Craftsbury and Greensboro;

Glen Lake, Castleton, Fair Haven, and Benson;

Harriman Reservoir, Whitingham and Wilmington;

Harveys Lake, Barnet;

Island Pond, Brighton;

Joes Pond, Cabot, Danville;

Lake Bomoseen, Castleton and Hubbardton;

Lake Dunmore, Leicester, and Salisbury;

Lake Fairlee, Thetford, West Fairlee, Fairlee;

Lake Hortonia, Sudbury, Hubbardton;

Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and the connecting waters),

            Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport;

Lake Morey, Fairlee;

Lake Rescue, Ludlow;

Lake St. Catherine, Wells, Poultney;

Little Averill Lake, Averill;

Little Salem Lake, Derby;

Maidstone Lake, Maidstone;

Marshfield Dam (Mollys Falls Reservoir), Cabot;

Miles Pond, Concord;

Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and Woodbury;

Newark Pond, Newark

Norton Pond, Norton;

Parker Pond, Glover;

Peacham Pond, Peachman;

Pensioner Pond, Charleston;

Seymour Lake, Morgan;

Shadow Lake, Glover;

Somerset Reservoir, Somerset;

Sunset Lake, Benson;

Wallace Pond, Canaan;

Waterbury Reservoir, Waterbury;

Willoughby Lake,

Westmore;

Woodbury Lake, (Sabin Pond), Calais and Woodbury

10.5.9 SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT STREAMS

1. Waters               2. Methods            3. Season               4. Size                                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                Restrictions                           Limit

Lamoille                 Open-water           Second                   Minimum length  2 trout

River -                    fishing, with          Saturday in            of 16 inches.

From the                artificial                  April through

downstream          lures and                October 31.

edge of the            flies only.

railroad

bridge     in

Johnson

upstream

(approximately

 3.7 miles)

to the

downstream

edge of the

Ten Bends

Drive bridge

in Hyde Park.

 White                    Open-water           Second                   Minimum length  1 trout

River  -                   fishing, with          Saturday in            of 18 inches

From the                artificial                  April through

confluence            lures and                October 31.

with                        flies only.

Lilliesville

Brook in

Stockbridge

downstream

3.3 miles to

220 ft.

downstream of

the

confluence

with

Cleveland

Brook in

Bethel.

 Mettawee             Open-water           Second                   10 to 14                                  2 trout, only

River -                   fishing                    Saturday in            inches                                    1 greater than

From the                                                April through        protected                               14 inches

downstream                                           October 31.           slot: (all

edge of the                                                                            trout 10 to 14

Route 153                                                                              inches must be

bridge in                                                                                                released)

Pawlet

upstream

(approximately

 16 miles) to

the

downstream

edge of first

bridge on

Dorset Hollow

Road and

including

tributary:

Flower Brook

upstream

(approximately

 1000 ft) to

the

downstream

edge of the

Route 30

bridge in

Pawlet.

Winooski               Open-water           June 1 through     10 to 16                                  2 trout, only

River                       fishing                    October 31             inches                                    1 greater than

Tributaries -                                                                          protected                               16 inches

Listed Below                                                                         slot: (all

                                                                                                fish 10 to 16

                                                                                                 inches must be

                                                                                                released)

 Winooski River Tributaries

 Joiner Brook, Bolton  - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately

                1900 feet to the first falls.

 Pinneo Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately

                100 feet to the railroad crossing.

 Preston Brook, Bolton -  From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately

                2600 feet to the first falls.

 Ridley Brook, Duxbury - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately

                1700 feet to the first falls.

Listed                Open-water                Second                   10 to 16                                  2 trout, only

Below:               fishing                         Saturday in            inches                                    1 greater than

                                                                April through        protected                               16 inches

                                                                October 31             slot: (all

                                                                                                fish 10 to 16

                                                                                                inches must be

                                                                                                released)

 New Haven River - From Munger Street Bridge in New Haven upstream (approximately 4.1

                miles) to the South Street bridge in Bristol.

 Winooski River - From Preston Brook mouth upstream (approximately 4.4 miles) to the

                Ridley Brook mouth.

Batten               Open-water Second                   All trout must                       Zero, all

Kill -                   fishing                         Saturday in            be immediately                       trout must be

From the                                                April through        released.                                                immediately

New York                                               October 31                                                             released.

State line

upstream

(approximately

 20.6 miles)

to downstream

side of Depot

Street Bridge

(Route 11/30)

in Manchester.

Dog River         Open-water                Second                   All trout must                       Zero, all

- From                fishing with                Saturday in            be immediately                      trout must be

the                     artificial      April through        released                                 immediately

downstream      lures and                    October 31                                                             released.

edge of the        flies only for

Junction Road   anglers 15

Bridge in           years of age

Berlin/              or older

Montpelier

upstream to

the top of

the

Northfield

Falls Dam in

Northfield

Listed               Open-water Second                   No size                                   12 trout of

below:               fishing                         Saturday in            restriction.                             which not

                                                                April through                                                        more than 6

                                                                September 30                                                        can be

                                                                                                                                                brown and/or

                                                                                                                                                rainbow trout

                                                                                                                                                in aggregate.

                           Open-water                October 1,              All trout must                       Zero, all

                           fishing                         through                  be immediately                      trout must be

                                                                October 31             released.                                immediately

                                                                                                                                                 released.

Batten Kill (East Branch) - In towns of Manchester and Dorset from the downstream side of

                Depot Street Bridge (Route 11/30) in Manchester upstream (approximately 5.0 miles)

                to the downstream side of the US Route 7 Bridge south of East Dorset.

Green River - In the towns of Arlington and Sandgate from its confluence with Batten Kill

                upstream (approximately 8.5 miles) to the confluence with Moffitt Hollow Brook in

                Beartown.

Roaring Branch In the towns of Arlington and Sunderland from its confluence with the Batten

                Kill upstream (approximately 3.0 miles) to the downstream side of the Bridge #14 on

                Sunderland TH# 3 in East Kansas.

Warm Brook - In the town of Arlington from its Confluence with the Roaring Branch upstream

                (approximately 0.8 miles) to the base of the so-called Hale Company Dam in East

                Arlington.

10.5.10 ANADROMOUS ATLANTIC SALMON

1. Waters               2. Methods            3. Season                               4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limit

Connecticut          No person             No Open Season                  All fish must         Zero - All

River and               shall take or                                                           be immediately      Anadromous

tributaries              attempt to                                                              released                 Atlantic

take an                                                                                                   salmon must

anadromous                                                                                          be immedi-

                                Atlantic                                                                                                  ately released

               salmon, any

               salmon

               unintentionally

                                taken shall

               be immediately

               released in

               accordance

               with section

               4602

10.5.11 AMERICAN SHAD

1. Waters                               2. Methods            3. Season               4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limit

Connecticut                          Open-water           No closed              All shad                 Zero - All

River,                                      fishing                    season                   must be                  shall must be

Including                                                                                               released                 immediately

Vermont river                                                                                                                        released

tributaries

10.5.12 BOWFIN, REDHORSE SUCKER (MULLET),

LONGNOSE GAR

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                Restrictions           Limit

General                   Open-water and    No closed              No restriction        No more than 5

Waters (and          ice fishing               season                                                  of any one

as listed                                                                                                                 species

below)

General                   Speargun, bow      No closed              No restriction       No more than 5

Waters                   and crossbow        season                                                  of any one

(Except                   all with line                                                                            species

seasonally             attached to

closed waters        arrow

and as listed

below

Lake                        Open-water and    No closed              No restriction        No more than 5

Champlain,            ice fishing,             season                                                   fish of any

not to                     speargun, bow                                                                       one species

include                    and crossbow

tributaries              all with line

                                 attached to

                                 arrow

Lake                        Shooting and        March 25               No restriction         No more than 5

Champlain,            Handheld Spear    through May                                        of any one

not to                                                     25, Title 10                                             species

include                                                   4606(e)

tributaries

10.5.13 SUCKER (LONGNOSE AND WHITE),

and CULL FISH

1. Waters               2. Methods            3. Season               4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                Restrictions           Limit

General                   Open-water and  No closed                No restriction        No Limit

Waters (and           ice fishing          season

as listed

below)

General                   Speargun, bow   No Closed                No restriction        No Limit

Waters                   and crossbow     Season

(Except                   all with line

seasonally             attached to

closed waters        arrow

and as listed

below)

Lake                        Open-water and  No closed                No restriction        No Limit

Champlain,            ice fishing,          season

not to                     speargun, bow

include                   and crossbow

tributaries              all with line

                                attached to

                                arrow

Lake                        Shooting and    March 25                   No restriction        No Limit

Champlain,            Handheld         through May

not to                     Spear                25, Title 10

include                                           4606(e)

tributaries

10.5.14 BULLHEAD

1. Waters                2. Methods      3. Season                    4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limit

General                   Open-water      No closed                   No restriction        No Limit

Waters (and          and ice             season

as listed                 fishing

below)

Lake                        Open-water      No closed                   No restriction        No Limit

Champlain,            and ice              season

not to                     fishing

include

tributaries

Lake                        Shooting and    March 25                   No restriction        No Limit

Champlain,            Handheld          through May

not to                     Spear                 25, Title 10

include                                              4606(e)

tributaries

10.5.15 NORTHERN PIKE

1. Waters               2. Methods            3. Season               4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                Restrictions           Limit

General                   Open-water           No closed              Minimum length  5 Fish

Waters                   and ice                   season                   of 20 inches

(except as              fishing

listed below)

Lake Champlain    Open-water           No closed              Minimum length  5 Fish

                                and ice                   season                   of 20 inches

                                fishing

                                Shooting and        March 25               Minimum length  5 Fish

                                handheld               through May        of 20 inches

                                spearing                 25, 10 VSA

4606

10.5.16 CHAIN AND REDFIN PICKEREL

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions            Limits

General                   Open-water and    No closed              No restriction        No Limit

Waters                    ice fishing             season

(except as

listed below)

Lake Champlain    Open-water and  No closed                No restriction        10 fish

                                ice fishing              season

                                Shooting and        March 25               No restriction        10 Fish

                                handheld               through May 25

                                spearing

10.5.17 MUSKELLUNGE

1. Waters               2. Methods            3. Season               4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

General                   Open-water and    No closed              All                           Zero – All             

Waters                   ice fishing;            season                   muskellunge          muskellunge

(except as              Catch and                                              must be                  must be

listed below)          release with                                          released                 immediately

                                artificial                                                                  released

                                lures and

                                flies only

Lake Champlain    Open-water and    No closed              All                           Zero - All

                                ice fishing;            season                   muskellunge          muskellunge

                                Catch and                                              must be                  must be

                                release with                                           released                 immediately

                                artificial                                                                                  released

                                lures and

                                flies only

                                Shooting and         March 25                                              Zero Fish

                                handheld               through May

                                spearing                 25, 10 VSA

                                                                4606(e)

10.5.18 SMELT

1. Waters               2. Methods            3. Season               4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

All waters              Open-water           No closed              No restriction        No limit

                                and ice                   season

                                fishing

10.5.19 BLACK AND WHITE CRAPPIE

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

All waters              Open-water and    No closed              Minimum length  25 fish,

                                ice fishing              season                   of 8 inches             Combined

10.5.20 YELLOW PERCH

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

General                   Open-water and    No closed              No restriction        50 fish

Waters                  ice fishing              season

(except as

listed

below)

Lake Champlain Open-water and       No closed              No restriction        No Limit

                                ice fishing              season

Businesses may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to the Commercial angling rule set for in 10 V.S.A. APP § 123.

10.5.21 YELLOW PERCH

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

General                   Open-water           No closed              No restriction        5 fish

Waters                   fishing                    season

(except as

listed below)

Lakes, Ponds        Open-water           Second                   Minimum length  5 Fish

and reservoirs       fishing                    Saturday                in            of 10 inches                                  

(Ice                         June through

                                fishing - see          through

                                special                    Nov. 30th.

                                provisions)

Lakes, Ponds        Open-water           Second                   All bass must         Zero - All

and                         fishing: Catch       Saturday in             be released            bass must be

reservoirs              and release            April through                                        immediately

(seasonally            with                        the Friday                                              released

closed)                   artificial                  before the

                                lures and                Second

                                flies only                Saturday in

                                                                June, both

                                                                dates

                                                                inclusive.

Lakes, Ponds        Open-water           Dec. 1 through      All bass must        Zero - All

and                         fishing: Catch       the Friday              be released            bass must be

reservoirs              and release            before the                                              immediately

(not                         with                        Second                                                   released

seasonally             artificial                  Saturday in

closed)                   lures and                June, both

                                flies only                dates

                                                                inclusive.

Seasonally,            Open-water           Only when such  No restrictions      5 fish

Closed Waters      fishing                    rivers and

- streams                                                streams are

                                                                open to trout

                                                                fishing except

                                                                as prohibited

                                                                by Section 9.2

Lake Morey,          Open-water           Second                   Largemouth           5 Fish

Fairlee                    fishing (Ice            Saturday in            bass - Minimum

                                fishing -                  June through       length of 14

                                see special             Nov. 30                  inches

                                provisions)

Lake Morey,          Open-water           Dec. 1 through      All bass must        Zero  - All

Fairlee                    fishing Catch        Friday before        be released            bass must be

                                and release            the Second                                            immediately

                                with                        Saturday in                                            released.

                                artificial                  June, both

                                lures and                dates

                                flies only                inclusive.

Kent Pond,            Open-water           Second                   Largemouth           10 fish, only

Killington              fishing                    Saturday in            Bass:                      1 fish greater

and Baker                                              June through        protected               than 12 inches.

Pond,                                                      Nov. 30                  slot: 10-12

Brookfield                                                                              inches (all

                                                                                                fish between

                                                                                                10 & 12 inches

                                                                                                must be

                                                                                                released)

Kent Pond,            Open-water           Dec. 1 through      All bass must        Zero  - All

Killington              fishing: Catch       Friday before        be released            bass must be

and Baker              and release            the Second                                            immediately

Pond,                      with                        Saturday in                                            released

Brookfield              artificial                  June, both

                                lures and                dates

                                flies only                inclusive.

10.5.22 WALLEYE

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

General                   Open-water and    First Saturday       Minimum length  3 Fish

Waters and           ice fishing              in May through    of 18 inches

Lake                                                        March 15

Champlain

(except as

listed

below)

Lake Carmi,            Open-water and    First Saturday       Minimum length  5 fish,

Franklin                  Ice fishing             in May through    of 15 inches           provided only

                                                                March 15               Protected               1 is over 19

                                                                                                lengths - 17           inches

                                                                                                to 19 inches

                                                                                                (all fish

                                                                                                between 17 &

                                                                                                19 inches must

                                                                                                be released)

Chittenden            Open-water and    June 1 through     Minimum length  2 fish

Reservoir,              ice fishing              March 15               of 22 inches

Chittenden

10.5.23 SAUGER

1. Waters               2. Methods             3. Season              4. Size                     5. Daily Bag

                                                                                                Restrictions           Limits

General                   Open-water and    No open season  Any fish taken      Zero - All

Waters and           ice fishing                                              must be                  Sauger taken

Lake                                                                                        immediately           must be

Champlain                                                                             released.                                immediately

                                                                                                                                released.

Spawning grounds for game fish - Generally

10.6        The below listed waters are declared spawning grounds for game fish and are hereby closed to the taking of fish from second Saturday in April through May 31 annually.

Chittenden County

Joiner Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River

               upstream approximately 1,900 feet to the first falls.

Pinneo Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River

               upstream approximately 100 feet to the railroad crossing.

Preston Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River

               upstream approximately 2,600 feet to the first falls.

Orleans County

Black River - From 600 feet below the falls at Old Harman Mill in

               Coventry upstream to the top of falls at Old Harman Mill in

               Coventry.

Ware Brook - From the downstream edge of  the furthest downstream

               bridge/culvert  on  Back Coventry Road (TH #8 in Irasburg)

                        upstream approximately one mile to top of the first major

                        natural  falls on Ware Brook.

Alder (Stony) Brook - From its confluence with the Black River

               upstream 3 1/2 miles to the outlet of Sargent Pond, in Coventry.

Willoughby River - From the confluence of the Brownington Branch of

               the Willoughby River in Brownington upstream to the

               downstream edge of the bridge on Vermont Route 58 in the

village of Evansville (Brownington); and from the downstream edge of bridge on the Tarbox Hill Road in Orleans Village upstream to the top of the natural falls upstream of the bridge on Tarbox Hill Road  in Orleans Village.

Dorin, Wells, Myers, Schoolhouse and Mill Brooks - From mouth of

               brooks at Lake Willoughby upstream approximately 3/4 mile in

               Dorin Brook, all of Wells Brook, 1/2 mile in Myers Brook, 1/4

               mile in the Schoolhouse Brook and 1/4 mile in Mill Brook and

               tributaries, all in Westmore. For identification purpose these

               brooks are arranged in order from north to south, and flow

               through Vermont Agency of Transportation structures on Route

               5A number 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6, respectively.

Brownington Branch of the Willoughby River in Brownington - From

            its confluence at the Willoughby River extending upstream to

            the second road crossing on Brownington Chilafoux Road (TH

               #15). Said crossing is located approximately 2.4 miles from

               Brownington Center on Chilafoux Road (TH #15).

Country Club Brook - From its confluence with the Willoughby River

               extending upstream to Hollow Road (TH #14) in Barton.

Porter Brook, Greensboro - From Caspian Lake upstream to its

               headwaters. (1987, Fish and Wildlife Commissioner's Reg. No.

               970, eff. April 1, 1987.)

Johns River - From the downstream edge of the bridge on Beebe Road

               (TH #3) upstream approximately two tenths of a mile to the

               downstream edge of bridge on Elm Street (TH #2) in Derby.

Outlet Brook - From the highway bridge near Echo Lake in Charleston

               upstream to the top of dam at outlet of Seymour Lake.

Washington County

Chase Brook - From its confluence with the Dog River upstream

            approximately 1/2 mile to the top of the natural falls in Berlin.

Ridley Brook, Duxbury - From the confluence of the Winooski River

            upstream approximately 1,700 feet to the first falls.

Windsor County

Lilliesville Brook in the Town of Stockbridge from its confluence with

            the White River upstream to the 2nd bridge on the Lilliesville

            Brook Road.

Locust Creek in Bethel from its confluence with the White River

               upstream to the 2nd bridge on Rt. 12.

10.7 The below named waters are closed from March 16 through May 31:

Chittenden County

Lamoille River - From the downstream edge of the bridge on Bear Trap

            Road in Milton (referred to as the West Milton Bridge upstream

            to the top of first dam (Peterson Dam)) in Milton.

Winooski River -From the Winooski One Hydro dam west of Main

               Street (US 7) in  Winooski and Burlington and extending

               downstream to the downstream side of the first railroad bridge.

Franklin County

Missisquoi River - From the top of the Swanton dam in the Village of

               Swanton downstream approximately 850 feet to the water

               treatment plant on the west side of the river, and downstream

               approximately 850 feet to the upstream end of the cement

               breakwater on the east side of the river. (1988, Fish and

               Wildlife Board Reg. No. 975, eff. April 7, 1988.)

10.8 The below named waters are closed from March 16 to the Friday before the 1st Saturday in May, both dates inclusive:

Franklin County

Missisquoi River - From the top of the Swanton Dam in the Village of

            Swanton extending downstream 5,120 feet to the Northwest

            corner (downstream) of the Riverside Cemetery and across the

            river to a pole on the Northeast bank.

   10.9 The below named waters are closed to fishing year-round:

Orleans County

Clyde River - From 260 feet below the top of the abandoned Mill Dam

immediately upstream of the Number 1, 2, 3 hydroelectric powerhouse

in Newport City, upstream to the top of the abandoned Mill Dam

immediately upstream of the Number 1, 2, 3 hydroelectric powerhouse

in Newport City.

   10.10 The below named waters are closed from October 1 through October 31:

Orleans County

Johns River - From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert)

            upstream of Lake Memphremagog on North Derby Road  (TH

            #6) upstream to U.S. 5, in Derby.

(Added 1961, No. 119, § 2, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1963, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Aug. 23, 1963; 1966, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1967; 1968, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1969; 1971, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 840, eff. March 19, 1971; 1971, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. June 21, 1971; 1973, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 866, eff. Jan. 20, 1973; 1974, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 892, eff. Dec. 26, 1974; 1975, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 895, eff. Jan. 1, 1976; 1976, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 899, eff. Jan. 1, 1977; 1977, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 904, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; 1977, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Apr. 17, 1978; 1978, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 906, eff. Oct. 21, 1978; 1979, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 913, eff. Nov. 21, 1979; 1980, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 915, eff. June 30, 1980; 1980, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 926, §§ 1-7, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 936, §§ 1, 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 942, eff. June 9, 1983; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 946, eff. Oct. 17, 1983; 1984, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 950, eff. Sept. 17, 1984; 1984, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 951, eff. Sept. 17, 1984; 1985, No. 953, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; 1985, No. 49; 1986, No. 962, eff. June 6, 1986; 1987, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 971, eff. Sept. 17, 1987; 1990, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 980, eff. Feb. 23, 1990; 1991, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 982, eff. Jan. 5, 1991; 1991, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 990, eff. Sept. 1991; 1993, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 998, eff. March 23, 1993; 1995, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Jan. 2, 1996; 1997, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; 1999, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. March 13, 1999; 2000 Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Oct. 7, 2000; 2003, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Dec. 6, 2002; 2004, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. June 4, 2004; 2005, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. July 21, 2005; 2005A, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. March 31, 2006; 2007, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Sept. 1, 2006; 2008, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. January 1, 2009; 2010 Fish and Wildlife Reg. effective January 1, 2011; 2013 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. January 1, 2014; 2015 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. January 1, 2016; 2017 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. January 1, 2018.)