Vermont Laws

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 10 Appendix : Vermont Fish and Wildlife Regulations

Chapter 002 : Fish

Subchapter 002 : SEASONS, WATERS, AND LIMITS

(Cite as: 10 App. V.S.A. § 122)

§ 122. Fish Management Regulation [Effective until January 1, 2026]

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 AGGREGATE LIMITS
Brook and Brown and Rainbow Trout — Streams/ Rivers	Maximum Combination of 8 fish
Brook and Brown and Rainbow Trout — lakes and ponds	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
Sturgeon	0 fish

(b) BROOK, BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
Lakes and Ponds	Open-water and ice fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31 January 1, through March 15	No restriction	6 trout
Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	Minimum length of 12 inches	3 trout
Rivers and Streams	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31	No restriction	8 trout
Sherman Reservior, Whitingham	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31	No restriction	6 trout

	1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	Listed Below:	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31	No restriction	2 trout in aggregate
	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 inShaftsbury 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 Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	Listed Below:	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31	Minimum length of 10 inches	2 trout
	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 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 Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	Listed below:	Open-water and Ice fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31 January 1 through March 15	See regulations for specific bodies of waters	Two fish in aggregate
	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 Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31January 1 through March 15	Salmon - Minimum length of 17 inches Lake Trout - Minimum length of 18 inches	2 Lake Trout or 2 Salmon or 1 of each
Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing	No Closed Season	Lake Trout and Salmon - Minimum length of 15 inches	3 Lake Trout and 2 Salmon
Clyde Pond, Derby Little Salem Lake, Derby Salem Lake, Derby Clyde River from Lake Memphremagog upstream to Citizen’s Charleston Dam (Lubber Lake), West Charleston	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in April through August 31	Lake Trout - Minimum length of 18 inches Salmon - Minimum length of 17 inches	2 Lake Trout or 2 Salmon or 1 of each
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay)	Open-water and ice fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31 January 1 through March 15	Lake Trout - Minimum length of 18 inches Salmon - Minimum length of 17 inches	2 Lake Trout or 2 Salmon or 1 of each
Listed Below:	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31	Lake Trout— Minimum length of 18 inchesSalmon - Minimum length of 17 inches	2 Lake Trout or 2 Salmon or 1 of each
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.

(g) SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT STREAMS

1. Waters	2. Method	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
White River — From the confluence with Lilliesville Brook in Stockbridge downstream 3.3 miles to 220 ft. downstream of the confluence with Cleveland Brook in Bethel.	Open-water fishing, with artificial lures and flies only.	Second Saturday in April through October 31.	Minimum length of 18 inches	1 trout
Winooski River Tributaries — Listed Below	Open-water fishing	June 1 through October 31	10 to 16 inches protected slot: (all fish 10 to 16 inches must be released)	2 trout, only 1 greater than 16 inches
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 fishing	Second Saturday in April through October 31	10 to 16 inches protected slot: (all fish 10 to 16 inches must be released)	2 trout, only 1 greater than 16 inches
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 fishing	Second Saturday in April through September 30	No size restriction.	8 trout
	Open-water fishing	October 1, through October 31	All trout must be immediately released.	Zero, all trout must be 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. Method	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	Connecticut River and tributaries	No person shall take or attempt to take an anadromous Atlantic salmon, any salmon unintentionally taken shall be immediately released in accordance with section 4602	No open season	All fish must be immediately released	Zero — All Anadromous Atlantic salmon must be immediately released

(i) AMERICAN SHAD

	1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	Connecticut River, including Vermont river tributaries	Open-water fishing	No closed season	All shad must be released.	Zero — All shad must be immediately released.

(j) BOWFIN, REDHORSE SUCKER (MULLET), LONGNOSE GAR.

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters (and as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No more than 5 of any one species
General Waters (Except seasonally closed waters and as listed below	Speargun, bow and crossbow all with line attached to arrow	No closed season	No restriction	No more than 5 of any one species
Lake Champlain, not to include tributaries	Open-water and ice fishing, speargun, bow and crossbow all with line attached to arrow	No closed season	No restriction	No more than 5 fish of any one species
Lake Champlain, not to include tributaries	Shooting and Handheld Spear	March 25 through May 25, Title 10 4606(e)	No restriction	No more than 5 of any one species

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

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters (and as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No Limit
General Waters (Except seasonally closed waters and as listed below)	Speargun, bow and crossbow all with line attached to arrow	No Closed Season	No restriction	No Limit
Lake Champlain, not to include tributaries	Open-water and ice fishing, speargun, bow and crossbow all with line attached to arrow	No closed season	No restriction	No Limit
Lake Champlain, not to include tributaries	Shooting and Handheld Spear	March 25 through May 25, Title 10 4606(e)	No restriction	No Limit

(l) BULLHEAD

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters (and as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No Limit
Lake Champlain, not to include tributaries	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No Limit
Lake Champlain, not to include tributaries	Shooting and Handheld Spear	March 25 through May 25, Title 10 4606(e)	No restriction	No Limit

(m) NORTHERN PIKE

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	Minimum length of 20 inches	5 Fish
Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	Minimum length of 20 inches	5 Fish
Lake Champlain	Shooting and handheld spearing	March 25 through May 25, 10 VSA 4606	Minimum length of 20 inches	5 Fish

(n) CHAIN AND REDFIN PICKEREL

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limits
General Waters (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No Limit
Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	10 fish
Lake Champlain	Shooting and handheld spearing	March 25 through May 25	No restriction	10 fish

(o) MUSKELLUNGE

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limits
General Waters (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing; Catch and release with artificial lures and flies only	No closed season	All muskellunge must be released	Zero - All muskellunge must be immediately released
Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing; Catch and release with artificial lures and flies only	No closed season	All muskellunge must be released	Zero - All muskellunge must be immediately released
Lake Champlain	Shooting and handheld spearing	March 25 through May 25, 10 VSA 4606(e)		Zero Fish

(p) SMELT

	1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	All waters	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No limit

(q) BLACK AND WHITE CRAPPIE

	1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limits
	All waters	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	Minimum length of 8 inches	25 fish, Combined

(r) YELLOW PERCH

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limits
General Waters (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	50 fish
Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing	No closed season	No restriction	No Limit
Businesses may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to the Commercial angling rule set forth in 10 V.S.A. APP § 123.

(s) LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS

1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	Second Saturday in June through March 15.	Minimum length of 10 inches	5 fish
Lake Champlain	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in June through Nov. 30	Minimum length of 12 inches	5 fish
Lakes, Ponds and reservoirs (seasonally closed)	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in June through October 31.	Minimum length of 10 inches	5 Fish
Lakes, Ponds and reservoirs (seasonally closed)	Open-water fishing: Catch and release with artificial lures and flies only	Second Saturday in April through the Friday before the Second Saturday in June, both dates inclusive.	All bass must be released	Zero — All bass must be immediately released
Lake Morey, Fairlee	Open-water and ice fishing	Second Saturday in June through March 15	Minimum length of 14 inches	5 Fish
Listed below:	Open-water fishing	Second Saturday in June through Nov. 30.	Minimum length of 10 inches	5 fish
	Catch and release with artificial lures and flies only	Dec. 1 through the Friday before the second Saturday in June, both dates inclusive	All bass must be released	Zero — All bass must be immediately released.
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 Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
General Waters and Lake Champlain (except as listed below)	Open-water and ice fishing	First Saturday in May through March 15	Minimum length of 18 inches	3 Fish
Lake Carmi, Franklin	Open-water and ice fishing	First Saturday in May through March 15	Minimum length of 15 inches Protected lengths — 17 to 19 inches (all fish between 17 & 19 inches must be released)	5 fish, provided only 1 is over 19 inches
Chittenden Reservoir, Chittenden including all tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable to upstream fish movement	Open-water and ice fishing	June 1 through March 15	Minimum length of 22 inches	2 fish

(u) SAUGER

	1. Waters	2. Methods	3. Season	4. Size Restrictions	5. Daily Bag Limit
	General Waters and Lake Champlain	Open-water and ice fishing	No open season	Any fish taken must be immediately released.	Zero — All Sauger taken must be 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, Coventry — 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 ¾ mile in Dorin Brook, all of Wells Brook, ½ mile in Myers Brook, ¼ mile in the Schoolhouse Brook and ¼ 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, Berlin — From its confluence with the Dog River upstream approximately ½ 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 theWinooski 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 down- stream 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 Dam 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.)

§ 122. Fish Management Regulation [Effective January 1, 2026]

1.0 Authority

(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.

2.0 Purpose

3.0 Open-Water Fishing, legal methods of taking fish

3.1 Definitions

(a) Department — Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

(b) Commissioner — Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner.

(c) 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.

(d) Baited Hook — A single shank hook with 1, 2, or 3 points which may be baited with natural or artificial bait or both.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) Handheld Spear — A manually powered spear used from above the water’s surface.

(h) 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.

(i) 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.”

(j) 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.

(k) 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.