Fishing in Vermont can be an exciting experience for anglers of all skill levels. With more than 130,000 acres of wildlife management areas, Vermont offers ample opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. To ensure responsible fishing and respect the environment, there are some rules you need to follow.
From updated regulations to free fishing days and ice fishing opportunities, here’s everything you need to know about the Vermont fishing season, including regulations, licensing, and special events.
Vermont Fishing Season and Limits
Whether you’re fishing in lakes/ponds or rivers/streams, there are specific rules for the dates, species and limits on how you can catch fish legally in this state.
Here’s a summary of the fishing seasons, limits, and legal methods for various species in Vermont’s lakes and ponds:
Lakes and Ponds Seasons and Limit
- Brook, Brown, Rainbow Trout: Combined daily limit of 6. Season: 2nd Saturday in April– 31 and Jan. 1–March 15.
- Lake Trout & Landlocked Salmon: Minimum lengths of 18” and 17”, respectively. Combined limit of 2. The seasons open on 2nd Saturday from April to Oct. 31 and Jan 1 to March 15.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 10” minimum length, no more than 5 in total. The season opens on the 2nd Saturday in June to March 15.
- Walleye: 18’’minimum, limit of 3. Season: May 3–March 15.
- Northern Pike: 20” minimum, 5 daily. Open year-round.
- Ice Fishing Expansion: Most waters now permit ice fishing for trout, salmon, and bass from Jan. 1 to March 15. However, some lakes have restrictions, so remember to check the official site or local office.
- Lake Sturgeon, Saugerand Anadromous Atlantic Salmon: No open season.
Except for the above seasons for certain species, the following are some of the fish you can catch all-year round with different taking methods.
| Species | Minimum Length | Daily Limit | Legal Methods | Open Seasons |
| American Shad | No Limit | 0 | Catch and Release Open-water fishing | All Year |
| Bowfin, Redhorse, Gar | No Limit | No more than 5 of any one species | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing, Spear gun, Bow and crossbow all with line attached | All Year |
| Carp, Suckers (Longnose and White) , Cull fish | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing, Spear gun, Bow and crossbow all with line attached | All Year |
| Crappie | 8″ | 25 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Muskellunge | No Limit | 0 | Catch and release with artifical lures and flies only | All Year |
| Northern Pike | 20″ | 5 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Rainbow Smelt | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| White Perch | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Rock Bass | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Bluegill and Pumpkinseed | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Yellow Perch | None | 50 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| All Other Species | None | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
Rivers, streams, brooks Seasons and Limit
Different from fishing in lakes, there are separate fishing seasons, limits, and legal methods for various species in Vermont’s rivers, streams, and brooks:
| Species | Minimum Length | Daily Limit | Legal Methods | Open Seasons for Harvest |
| American Shad | No Limit | 0 | Catch and Release Open-water fishing | All Year |
| Anadromous Atlantic Salmon | No Limit | 0 | None | No open season |
| Bowfin, Redhorse, Gar | No Limit | No more than 5 of any one species | Open-water fishing | All Year |
| Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout | No Limit | Total of Brook + Brown + Rainbow = no more than 8 | Open-water fishing | 2nd Sat in April to Oct. 31 |
| Carp, Suckers (Longnose and White) , Cull fish | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing | All Year |
| Crappie | 8″ | 25 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Lake Sturgeon | No Limit | 0 | No fishing | No open season |
| Lake trout and Landlocked Atlantic salmon | 18″ Lake trout, 17″ Landlocked Atlantic Salmon | Total of lake trout + landlocked salmon = no more than 2 | Open-water fishing | 2nd Sat in April to Oct. 31 |
| Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass | 10″ | Total of largemouth + smallmouth = no more than 5 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | 2nd Sat in June to March 15 |
| Muskellunge | No Limit | 0 | Catch and release with artifical lures and flies only | All Year |
| Northern Pike | 20″ | 5 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Rainbow Smelt | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Sauger | No Limit | 0 | None | No open season |
| Walleye | 18″ | 3 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | 1st Sat in May to March 15 |
| White Perch | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Rock Bass | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Bluegill and Pumpkinseed | No Limit | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Yellow Perch | None | 50 | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| All Other Species | None | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
| Chain Pickerel | None | No Limit | Open-water fishing, Ice fishing | All Year |
*Endangered Species Alert: Lake Sturgeon, Muskie, and Sauger are endangered species so anglers must know how to identify them and release these fish immediately if caught mistakenly. Or, it could result in a fine of $2,000.
Endangered Species from Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
Vermont Ice Fishing Season
General fishing regulations now allow anglers to ice fish for trout, salmon, and bass from January 1 through March 15 on most state waters.
Remember that some waters don’t open to ice fishing. You can check them here: Lakes With Restrictions to Ice Fishing.
Annual Free Fishing Days
The annual Free Fishing Days provide a great chance for newcomers to try their hand at fishing without the need for a license.
If you don’t own a fishing license, you can still go fishing in no-license-needed seasons every year in the following days:
- Summer Free Fishing Day — Second Saturday in June
- Winter Free Fishing Day — Last Saturday in January
“These free fishing days are perfect for beginners,” says Shawn Good, Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist. “Experienced anglers can mentor friends or kids—it’s all about sharing the joy of fishing.”
Besides, the state regularly draws 500–600 anglers to enjoy each day of workshops, fish fries, and great fishing with all gear provided. Don’t miss your chance for it!
How Much It Cost for a Vermont Fishing License?
| Resident Licenses | Resident | NonResident |
| Fishing(ages 18–65) | $28 | $54 |
| Youth Fishing(ages 15–17) | $8 | $15 |
| Permanent Licenses (residents only, age 66 or older) | $60 | / |
| Five-Year Fishing License | $134 | $264 |
| One-Day Fishing | / | $23 |
| Three-Day Fishing | $11 | $23 |
| Seven-Day Fishing | / | $31 |
| Combination Fishing and Hunting | $47 | $143 |
| Five-Year Combination License | $229 | $709 |
| Youth Combination Fishing and Hunting (age 17 or under) | $12 | $30 |
Vermont Fishing Regulations
Baitfish Harvesting
Vermont anglers may harvest baitfish from most waters in the state and use them in other waters within designated “Baitfish Zones.” To ensure sustainable practices, anglers are limited to specific methods for personal baitfish harvest:
- Minnow Traps: Must be no longer than 18 inches, with an entrance not exceeding 1 inch in diameter.
- Nets: Anglers can use dip nets, cast nets, and umbrella nets, provided they do not exceed a total of 51 square feet of mesh. A seine net may be used, but it must not exceed 25 feet in length.
- Hook-and-Line: This method is also permitted for baitfish collection.
For those wishing to catch baitfish in one waterbody and use them in another, a Wild Baitfish Endorsement is required. However, this endorsement is not necessary for anglers who purchase baitfish from a commercial bait shop.
Licensing for Youth Anglers
Youth under 15 years of age are not required for a fishing license in Vermont. However, since the Wild Baitfish Endorsement is needed and must be added to a license, youth anglers must create a new license profile and obtain a free youth license.
Endangered Species
Anglers should be aware of the endangered fish species in Vermont, including muskie, lake sturgeon, and sauger. It is crucial to identify these species correctly and release them immediately if caught.
Penalties for Illegal Fishing
In addition to any court penalties, illegal harvesting of fish carries fines based on the species:
- Endangered Species: Up to $2,000
- Normal Fish: Up to $50
Try to be a responsible fisherman and don’t let yourself get into any court penalty or fines.
Purchase and Sale Restrictions
It is prohibited to buy or sell salmon, trout, lake trout, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, black bass, or any other fish specified by regulation that are taken from Vermont waters.
Spearfishing Regulations
If you plan to take fish using a spear, spear gun, or bow, you will need to buy an extra hunting license.
Fishing Hours
Anglers may fish at any hour during the open seasons, as Vermont allows fishing 24 hours a day.
The regulation may be subject to change. To keep updated with the latest news, the Vermont Online Fish Regulation Tool is an excellent resource for anglers. It allows users to view regulations by selecting a waterbody, town, or county from a comprehensive lookup list.
You can access fishing regulations for rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds throughout Vermont using the “Interactive Map” or “Lookup Tables”: Fish Regulation Tool
Conclusion
Fishing in Vermont is a rewarding experience, offering a variety of species and scenic waterways for anglers to enjoy. With our posts and its tool available, it’s easier than ever to stay informed and compliant with local laws.
Remember to obtain the appropriate fishing license and be aware of the specific regulations for the waterbody you plan to fish in. Happy fishing!
Download Resource: 2025 Vermont Fishing Regulation PDF.
More fishing seasons in other states:
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