Vermont is home to 92 species of freshwater fish, including 11 to 15 non-native species that were introduced purposely for sport or forage, or accidentally.
The native brook trout is surely Vermont’s most well-known fish species, sought by those who love fishing clear, cold, shady brooks. But what about the mottled sculpin, a species of just seven warm-water tributaries of Lake Champlain? Or the diminutive blacknose shiner, a two-inch fish reliant on clear, slow-moving shallows, found in only a dozen Vermont waterbodies?
About 20 species are commonly fished for food or sport in Vermont. Of the others, 32 species are considered rare or uncommon.
The Wildlife Diversity Program endeavors to understand the diversity, distribution and abundance of all native fish species, while focusing on the conservation needs of the rarest and most at-risk.
Partners in Fish Conservation
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Fish Division
Department fisheries biologists survey and monitor populations of Vermont’s fish, including rare and endangered species.
Department of Environmental Conservation’s Biomonitoring and Aquatic Studies Section
Staff from DEC assesses the biological health of Vermont's aquatic environment through macroinvertebrate and fish communities. Their sampling provides the Vermont Natural Heritage Database a greater understanding of nongame fish distribution and abundance.
Additional Resources
Fish Species of Vermont – A list of fish species known to regularly occur in Vermont, as well as their conservation status.
Fishes of Vermont – A comprehensive handbook for identifying fishes across the state. This field guide offers fascinating natural history accounts of our 92 fish species. Covering all the drainages and aquatic habitats of the state, this book is written for anglers, naturalists, biologists, and anyone interested in fishes and Vermont's natural history. On sale at our online bookstore.
See also:
- Vermont Critters – Fish
- Lake Champlain Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan | PDF
- Fish Management
- Fisheries Biologists Reports
- Vermont’s Sportfish
- Lists of Animal Species Found in Vermont
- List of Endangered and Threatened Animals of Vermont | PDF
- List of Rare and Uncommon Animals in Vermont | PDF
- Wildlife Action Plan
- Citizen Reporting Form for Rare Animals (Word document)
- NatureServe Explorer