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2021 Vermont Statutes
Title 10 Appendix - Conservation and Development
Chapter 2 - Fish
App § 122. Fish Management Regulation

Universal Citation: 10A V.S.A. § 122

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§ 122. Fish Management Regulation

1.0 Authority

(a) 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 furbearing 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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 furbearing 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.

3.3 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.

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

3.5 Catch and Release: For species with defined harvest seasons, targeted C&R angling with immediate release can occur outside of harvest season, using artificial lures and flies.

4.0 Ice Fishing

4.1 Definitions – The definitions of section 3 are applicable to this section.

(a) 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 eight lines, except on Lake Champlain where no more than fifteen lines may be operated. Each line shall not have more than two baited hooks, or more than three artificial flies, or more than two lures with or without bait.

4.3 A person ice fishing shall have at all times, 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 within 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 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters.

4.6 Catch and Release (C&R): For species with defined harvest seasons, targeted C&R angling with immediate release can occur outside of harvest season, using artificial lures and flies.

5.0 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;

6.0 Seasonally Closed Waters

6.1 Lakes and Ponds - The following lakes and ponds or portions thereof are hereby designated seasonally closed waters and shall be closed to all fishing except between Second Saturday in April through October 31:

Bald Hill Pond, Westmore

Beaver Pond, Holland

Beck Pond, Newark

Beebe Pond, Sunderland

Big Mud Pond, Mt. Tabor

Bourn Pond, Sunderland

Branch Pond, Sunderland

Cary Pond, Walden

Cow Mountain Pond, Granby

Duck Pond, Sutton

Forest Lake, Averill

Griffith Lake, Mt. Tabor

Holland Pond, Holland

Jobs Pond, Westmore

Lake Pleiad, Hancock

Levi Pond, Groton

Lewis Pond, Lewis

Little Rock Pond, Wallingford

Long Pond, Westmore

Marl Pond, Sutton

Martins Pond, Peacham

North Pond, Chittenden

Notch Pond, Ferdinand

Noyes (Seyon) Pond, Groton

Perch Pond (Zack Woods Pond), Hyde Park

Pigeon Pond, Groton

Red Mill Pond, Woodford

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

Unknown Pond, Averys Gore

Unknown Pond, Ferdinand

Vail Pond, Sutton

Vernon Hatchery Pond, Vernon

West Mountain Pond, Maidstone

Wheeler Pond, Barton and Sutton

Zack Woods (Perch Pond), Hyde Park

6.2 Rivers and Streams - All rivers and streams are hereby designated seasonally closed waters except as listed in all the sections below. For species with defined harvest seasons, targeted C&R angling with immediate release can occur outside of harvest season, using artificial lures and flies.

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

7.1 Fish of the species named or described in the tables set forth below may be taken:

(a) In the waters specified in column 1, by the method specified in column 2, during the open season specified in column 3.

(b) 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.

(c) Businesses may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of Commissioner, pursuant to the Commercial angling rules set forth in 10 V.S.A. App. 123.

7.2 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.

(a) 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:

(1) a person may transport approved baitfish species pursuant to the baitfish rules set forth in 10 V.S.A. App. § 141.

(2) the person has been issued a scientific collection permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity,

(3) the person has been issued a fish transportation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity,

(4) the person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish importation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity.

7.3 The daily bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed season for that fish species is zero during the closed season.

7.4 "General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all waters of the State, except the waters specifically named or described.

7.5 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 6 of these regulations.

7.6 Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits Tables

(a) STATEWIDE AGGREGATE DAILY BAG LIMITS

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

FISH SPECIES DAILY AGGREGRATE LIMITS

Brook and Brown and Rainbow Maximum Combination of 8 fish

Trout - Streams/ Rivers

Brook and Brown and Rainbow Maximum Combination of 6 fish

Trout - lakes and ponds

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

Sturgeon 0 fish

(b) BROOK, BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT

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

Restrictions Limit

Lakes and Open-water Second No restriction 6 trout

Ponds and ice fishing Saturday in

April through

October 31

January 1,

through March

Lake Open-water No closed Minimum 3 trout

Champlain and ice fishing season length of 12

inches

Rivers and Open-water Second No restriction 8 trout

Streams fishing Saturday in

April through

October 31

Sherman Open-water Second No restriction 6 trout

Reservior, fishing Saturday in

Whitingham April through

October 31

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 Shaftsbury and Bennington - From the Vermont/New York border in Shaftsbury 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).

(d) 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

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.

Browning Branch of the Willoughby River - From its confluence at the

Willoughby River extending upstream to the second road crossing on

Brownington Chilafonx Road (TH #15). Crossing is located approximately 2.4 miles from Browington Center on Chilafoux

Road (TH #15) .

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.

(e) 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 regulations Two fish in

below: and Ice fishing Saturday in for specific aggregate

April through bodies of

October 31 waters

January 1

through March

Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill

Caspian Lake, Greensboro

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

Jobs Pond, Westmore (Seasonally Closed)

Lake Dunmore, Salisbury

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

Little Averill Lake, Averill

Maidstone Lake, Maidstone

Martins Pond, Peacham (Seasonally Closed)

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.

(f) 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 or

Waters (all and ice fishing Saturday in Minimum 2 Salmon or 1

waters except April through length of 17 of each

as listed below) October 31 inches

Lake Trout -

January 1 Minimum

through March length of 18

15 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

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

Derby Little fishing Saturday in Minimum or 2 Salmon or

Salem Lake, April through length of 18 1 of each

Derby Salem August 31 inches

Lake, Derby

Clyde River Salmon -

from Lake Minimum

Memphremagog length of 17

upstream to inches

Citizen's

Charleston

Dam (Lubber

Lake), West

Charleston

Lake Open-water Second Lake Trout - 2 Lake Trout or

Memphremagog and ice Saturday in Minimum 2 Salmon or

(including fishing April through of 18 inches 1 of each

South Bay) October 31

January 1 Salmon -

through March Minimum

15 length of 17

inches

Listed Open-water Second Lake Trout - 2 Lake Trout or

Below: fishing Saturday in Minimum 2 Salmon or 1

April through length of 18 of each

October 31 inches

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.

8.5.9 SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT STREAMS

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

Restrictions Limit

White River Open-water Second Minimum length 1 trout

- From the fishing, with Saturday in of 18 inches

Confluence with artificial lures April through

Lilliesville and flies only. October 31.

Brook in

Stockbridge

downstream 3.3

miles to 220 ft.

downstream of

the confluence

with Cleveland

Brook in Bethel.

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

Tributaries - fishing October 31 protected slot: greater than

Listed Below: (all fish 10 to 16 16 inches

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 Below: Open-water Second 10 to 16 inches 2 trout, only 1

Fishing Saturday in protected slot: greater than

April through (all fish 10 to 16 16 inches

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.

Mettawee River - From the downstream edge of the Route 153 bridge in Pawlet upstream (approximately 16 miles) to the downstream edge of first bridge on Dorset Hollow Road and including tributary: Flower Brook upstream (approximately 1000ft) to the downstream edge of the Route 30 bridge in Pawlet.

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

Listed below: Open-water Second No size 8 trout

fishing Saturday in restriction.

April through

September 30

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

Fishing through be immediately 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.

(h) 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

(i) 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, including fishing season must be shall must be

Vermont river released immediately

tributaries released

(j) 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

(k) SUCKER (LONGNOSE AND WHITE), and CULL FISH

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

Restrictions Limit

General Waters Open-water No closed No restriction No Limit

(and as listed and ice fishing season

below)

General Waters Speargun, bow No Closed No restriction No Limit

(Except and crossbow Season

seasonally all with line

closed waters attached to

and as listed arrow

below)

Lake Open-water No closed No restriction No Limit

Champlain, and 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

(l) 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

(m) 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

(n) 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

(o) 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)

(p) 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

(q) 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

(r) 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 Open-water and No closed No restriction No Limit

Champlain 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

(s) LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS

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

Restrictions Limits

General Waters Open-water Second Minimum 5 fish

(except as listed and ice fishing Saturday in length of 10

below) June through inches

March 15.

Lake Open-water Second Minimum 5 fish

Champlain fishing Saturday in length of 12

June through inches

Nov. 30

Lakes, Ponds Open-water Second Minimum 5 fish

and reservoirs fishing Saturday in length of 10

(seasonally June through inches

closed) October 31.

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 No restrictions 5 fish

Closed Waters fishing such 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.

Austin Pond, Hubberton

Black Pond, Hubberton

Blueberry Lake (Warren Lake), Warren

Breese Pond, Hubberton

Bullhead Pond, Manchester

Gale Meadows, Londonderry

Half Moon Pond, Hubberton

Lily Pond, Vernon

Lowell Lake, Londonderry

Mill Pond, Windsor

Raponda Lake, Wilmington

Retreat Meadows, Brattleboro

Roach Pond, Hubberton

Runnemede Lake, Windsor

Sadawga, Whitingham

Weatherhead Hollow, Guilford

(t) 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 First Saturday Minimum length 5 fish, provided

Franklin and ice fishing in May through of 15 inches only 1 is over

March 15 19 inches

Protected

lengths - 17 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

including all

tributaries

upstream to

the first

barrier

impassable to

upstream fish

movement

(u) 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.

7.7 Spawning grounds for game fish generally

(a) 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.

Willoughby River, Orleans - From the downstream edge of bridge on 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, all in Westmore - 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.

Porter Brook, Greensboro - From Caspian Lake upstream to its headwaters. (1987, Fish and Wildlife Commissioner's Reg. No. 970, eff. April 1, 1987.)

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, Stockbridge - From its confluence with the White River upstream to the 2nd bridge on the Lilliesville Brook Road.

Locust Creek, Bethel - From its confluence with the White River upstream to the 2nd bridge on Rt. 12.

(b) The below named waters are closed from March 16 through May 31.

Chittenden County

Lamoille River, Milton - 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, Winooski and Burlington - 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, Swanton - 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.)

Franklin County

Missisquoi River, Swanton - 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.

(d) The below named waters are closed to fishing year-round:

Orleans County

Clyde River, Newport City - 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.

(e) The below named water is only open to fishing using artificial flies and lures from September 1 to October 31. All salmon caught must be released. Lake Trout may be harvest during this period. The daily limit is 2 lake trout with a minimum length of 18 inches

Clyde River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to Charleston Dam (Lubber Lake), West Charleston

(f) The below named water is catch and release for trout from Second Saturday in April to October 31. All trout must be immediately released.

Batten Kill River - From the New York State line upstream (approximately 20.6 miles) to downstream side of Depot Street Bridge (Route 11/30) in Manchester

(g) The below named water is catch and release for trout with artificial lures and flies only, anglers less than 15 years old may use live bait from Second Saturday in April to October 31. All trout must be immediately released.

Dog River - From the downstream edge of the Junction Road Bridge in Berlin/Montpelier upstream to the top of the Northfield Falls D am in Northfield.

(h) The below named waters are closed to fishing from November 1 to the Friday before the second Saturday in April.

Batten Kill River - From the New York State line upstream (approximately 20.6 miles) to downstream side of Depot Street Bridge (Route 11/30) in Manchester.

Clyde River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to Charleston Dam (Lubber Lake), West Charleston

Dog River - From the downstream edge of the Junction Road Bridge in Berlin/Montpelier upstream to the top of the Northfield Falls Dam in Northfield.

(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. Jan. 1, 2009; 2010 Fish and Wildlife Reg. effective Jan. 1, 2011; 2013 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2014; 2015 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2017 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2018; 2018 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2019; 2021 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2022.)

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2021 Vermont StatutesTitle 10 Appendix - Conservation and DevelopmentChapter 2 - FishApp § 122. Fish Management Regulation

2021 Vermont Statutes
Title 10 Appendix - Conservation and Development
Chapter 2 - Fish
App § 122. Fish Management Regulation