Updated Fishing Regulations FAQs

This means the water is open to general regulations. See Table 1 for the regulations for that waterbody.

Most waters can now be fished all year if you practice catch and release angling using artificial flies and lures. Check the Index of Lakes and Ponds and Index of Rivers and Streams and Tables 1-3 for any special regulations. Special regulations always override general regulations.

Yes. Any of the species listed in Table 1 with an open season for harvest listed as “all year” can be kept year-round if there are no special regulations listed in the Index of Lakes and Ponds or Rivers and Streams.

For species not listed in Table 1 (e.g. bluegill & pumpkinseed) there is no closed season or daily limit.

Check the Index of Lakes and Ponds and Index of Rivers and Streams and Tables 1-3 for any special regulations. Special regulations always override general regulations.

Yes. Even if the water is closed to harvest, targeted catch and release angling using artificial flies and lures can occur on most waters for most species.

Exceptions to this rule are listed in the Index of Lakes and Ponds or Index of Rivers and Streams.

There is no fishing allowed for Lake Sturgeon or Sauger in Lake Champlain (Table 2) and fishing is closed to Atlantic Salmon and River Herring in the Connecticut River (Table 3).

The maps are now available online (vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/fishing-regulations/online-fishing-regulations-tool) or as part of our Vermont Outdoors App.

The following lakes and ponds or portions thereof are designated seasonally closed waters and are closed to all fishing except between the 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

Eight (8) are allowed under general regulations. Fifteen (15) lines are allowed on Lake Champlain and six (6) lines are allowed on the Connecticut River. 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.

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.

Many waters are now open for bass fishing to harvest throughout much of the year. In waters managed under general regulations, a total of five (5) bass can be harvested daily between the second Saturday in June until March 15.

Lake Champlain bass harvest season runs from the 2nd Saturday in June to November 30, with a five (5) bass limit and a minimum length of 12 inches.

Under general regulations, bass harvest is closed from March 16 through to the second Saturday in June.

You can practice catch and release angling for bass year-round unless otherwise stated in the Index of Lakes and Ponds and Index of Rivers and Streams. 

From December 1 through the Friday before the second Saturday in June, bass are closed to harvest in these waters:

• Austin Pond, Hubberton
• Black Pond, Hubberton
• Blueberry Lake (Warren Lake), Warren
• Breese Pond, Hubberton
• Bullhead Pond, Manchester
• Gale Meadows, Londonderry
• Half Moon Pond, Hubberton
• Lake Champlain
• 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