Fishing

Vermont’s Master Angler program recognizes an angler’s accomplishment in catching a large fish and the fish's accomplishment in surviving and growing to an exceptional size.

Here’s a way to enhance your angling experience is by challenging yourself to catch a variety of "exceptionally-sized" fish species.

Fisheries biologists may tag and release certain fish species collected during fish population surveys or research projects. Currently, department fisheries biologists are tagging Lake Champlain trout and salmon with individually numbered plastic anchor tags.

Whether you’re organizing a fishing tournament or want to find one, here are the answers to many of the questions asked about fishing tournaments.

Anyone holding a fishing tournament in Vermont must obtain a permit from the department.

A tournament is defined as a contest in which anglers pay a fee to enter and compete for a prize based on the quality or size of the fish they catch.

Each year, Vermont hosts about 150 fishing tournaments of all kinds, including big and small, open water and ice, streams and lakes.

Many of the tournaments are held on Lake Champlain, Lake Bomoseen and the Connecticut River. Other lakes and streams also host smaller numbers of events. Most of the tournaments held in Vermont are catch-and-release bass tournaments.

Does your catch qualify as a Master Angler entry?

Where to Go

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Sadawga Pond (aka Sadawga Lake) Access Area offers shoreline fishing opportunities, or you could launch your own boat.

Although baitfish regulations in New York and Vermont have changed since this book was published, it still serves as a good reference for identifying baitfish species.

The latest information on these regulations is available at:

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) is a deadly fish virus, first discovered in the Great Lakes. Vermont has adopted regulations to prevent the introduction of VHS to our waters.

Have questions about using baitfish? Check the FAQs below for answers to the most common inquiries.