This is the Official Vermont Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Vermont state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Vermont Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Vermont state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Vermont fishing reg. books below and accessing the Vermont fishing regs link in the Vermont Guidebooks listed below.
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Weather its Vermont Trout fishing, Vermont bass fishing, Vermont striper fishing, Vermont Salmon fishing, Vermont Catfish fishing, Vermont steelhead fishing, Vermont Panfish fishing, Vermont pike/muskie fishing, Vermont Walleye fishing,  Vermont Marlin Fishing, Vermont Salt Water Fishing, Vermont Tuna fishing, Vermont Tarpon fishing, Vermont Snook fishing, Vermont Red fish fishing We have the Vermont state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Vermont fishing maps, Vermont state fishing maps, or just some Vermont fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Vermont Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Vermont, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Harriman Reservoir, Island Pond, Lake Bomoseen, Lake Carmi, Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, Lake Memphremagog, Lake St Catherine, Lake Willoughby, Maidstone Lake, Seymour Lake, Somerset Reservoir and others. Many of the lakes in Vermont have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Vermont is well known for excellent Bass, Salmon and Trout fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Walleye, Crappie, Catfish, Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin and sunfish including Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Vermont by the Fish & Game Department.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in Vermont.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Vermont area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Vermont

Even though the cold water in Vermont shortens the growing season, bass thrive in many fisheries through out the state. Bass can be found in ponds, parks, rivers and small lakes. The larger populations of bass can be found in Vermonts major lakes including Harriman Reservoir, Island Pond, Lake Bomoseen, Lake Carmi, Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, Lake Memphremagog, Lake St Catherine and Seymour Lake.

Lake Dunmore produced the Vermont state record largemouth bass and Lake Champlain was home to the VT state record smallmouth bass.

Trout Fishing in Vermont

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Vermont

Vermont is trout country. Lots of trout water and quality fish. Most rivers and streams contain trout, as do many small lakes, ponds and parks. The major VT lakes with trout include Harriman Reservoir, Lake Bomoseen, Lake Carmi, Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, Lake Memphremagog, Lake St Catherine, Lake Willoughby, Maidstone Lake, Seymour Lake and Somerset Reservoir. 

Paran Creek produced the Vermont state record brook trout and Sherman Reservoir was home to the VT state record brown trout. Willoughby Lake turned out the VT state record lake trout. The Vermont state record rainbow trout came out of Lake Dunmore.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is also known as Great Lakes trout, Mackinaw trout and salmon trout. It feeds on virtually all forms of flesh which abound in its home waters. Minnows, smelt, eels and any variety of small fishes are part of the lake trout's diet. It's rich flaky flesh makes it a tasty table favorite.

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.

Salmon Fishing in Vermont

Salmon Fishing Lakes In Vermont

The major lakes in Vermont with healthy populations of salmon include Harriman Reservoir, Lake Carmi, Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, Lake Memphremagog, Lake Willoughby, Maidstone Lake and Seymour Lake. Lake Champlain is the most prolific and produced the Vermont state record atlantic salmon.

Walleye Fishing in Vermont

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Vermont

Healthy populations of walleye can be found in Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog. Rivers flowing into and out of these lakes may also contain walleye under ideal conditions. Other rivers in Vermont also contain samplings of walleye. The Clyde River produced the Vermont state record walleye.

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Vermont walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Vermont walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Vermont

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Vermont

Lake Champlain and Lake St Catherine are the two major lakes in Vermont with significant populations of crappie. Crappie can also be found in ponds, rivers and small lakes. Lake Champlain produced the Vermont state record black crappie.

Catfish Fishing in Vermont

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Vermont

Catfish adapt to most kinds of water. They can be found in most rivers, parks and some private ponds. The larger schools of catfish can be found in the major Vermont lakes of Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog and Lake St Catherine. Monkton Pond produced the Vermont state record channel catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in Vermont for Bluegills, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch and Other VT Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Vermont and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Vermont

If you like to fish for panfish, you have lots of choices. Most ponds, parks, small lakes and rivers have one or more species of sunfish. The major lakes in Vermont with panfish include Harriman Reservoir, Island Pond, Lake Bomoseen, Lake Carmi, Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, Lake Memphremagog, Lake St Catherine, Lake Willoughby, Maidstone Lake, Seymour Lake and Somerset Reservoir.

The Connecticut River produced the Vermont state record bluegill sunfish and Lake Champlain was home to the VT state record pumpkinseed sunfisn and yellow perch.

Fishing for Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin in Vermont.

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others.

Bowfin
Amia calva
World Record: 21.5 lbs.
Found in waters around Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the bowfin prefers water temperatures of the warmer climates. It has an exceptionally long dorsal fin which extends back to the tail, made of about 50 spines or rays. Near the upper tail is an eye spot. They have very sharp teeth and a nasty disposition when hooked. Handle with caution. They are most often caught on cut bait and crayfish. They put up quite a fight and are not considered good eating. The bowfin is also known as dogfish, mud pike, mudfish, grindle, swamp bass and others.

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