2021 Vermont Statutes
Title 10 Appendix - Conservation and Development
Chapter 2 - Fish
App § 122. Fish Management Regulation
§ 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 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.
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 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, 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 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 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.
7.0 Seasonally Closed Waters
7.1 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 8 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
7.2 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 8 of these regulations; and
7.2.1 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 7.2.2.
7.2.2: 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.
8.0 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.
8.1 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.
8.1.1 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:
8.1.1.1 the person has been issued a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit by the Commissioner,
8.1.1.2 the person has been issued scientific collection permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity,
8.1.1.3 the person has been issued a fish transportation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity,
8.1.1.4 the person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish importation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity.
8.2 The daily bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed season for that fish species is zero.
8.3 "General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all waters of the State, except the waters specifically named or described.
8.4 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 7 of these regulations.
8.5 Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits Tables
8.5.1 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
8.5.2 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
8.5.3 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 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).
8.5.4 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), 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.
8.5.5 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
Jobs Pond, Westmore
Lake Dunmore, Salisbury
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport
Little Averill Lake, Averill
Long Pond, Westmore
Maidstone Lake, Maidstone
Martins Pond, Peacham
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.
8.5.6 STREAMS OPEN TO YEAR ROUND TROUT FISHING
1. Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
The follow Artificial fly No closed Catch and Zero - All
ing por- or lure only, season for release only trout must be
tions of except during catch and immediately
the speci- the open release only returned to
fied rivers season for the waters
shall be trout. where taken,
open to except during
fishing for the open
trout year season, limits
round: apply in
(Listed accordance
below) with the river
selected.
Open season; During the
from the 2nd open season
Saturday in follow any
April through species
October 31 restrictions
for the
selected river
Black River - From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of
the Lovejoy Dam in Springfield.
Lamoille River - From the Lake Champlain boundary (top of Peterson Dam in
Milton) upstream to the top of the hydroelectric Dam at Fairfax Falls.
Lewis Creek - From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the State
Prison Hollow Road (TH #3) bridge in Starksboro.
Missisquoi River - From Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the top of
the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.
Ompompanoosuc River - From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to
the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
Otter Creek - From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to top of Center
Rutland Falls in Rutland.
Waits River - From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of
the Central Vermont Power Dam in Bradford.
West River - From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the
Townshend Dam in Townshend.
White River - From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the bridge
on Route 107 in Bethel.
Williams River - From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top
of the dam at Brockway Mills Falls in Rockingham.
Winooski River - From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the Bolton
Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury.
8.5.7 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
as 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.
8.5.8 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), 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 (Molly's Falls Reservoir), Cabot;
Miles Pond, Concord;
Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and Woodbury;
Newark Pond, Newark
Norton Pond, Norton;
Parker Pond, Glover;
Peacham Pond, Peacham;
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
8.5.9 SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT STREAMS
1. Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
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.
8.5.10 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
8.5.11 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
8.5.12 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
8.5.13 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
8.5.14 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
8.5.15 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
8.5.16 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
8.5.17 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)
8.5.18 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
8.5.19 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
8.5.20 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
8.5.21 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.
8.5.22 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
8.5.23 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
8.6 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.
8.7 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.)
8.8 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.
8.9 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.
8.10 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. 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.)
