Fishing License
Yes freshwater fishing license required. Minimum age 15 (children under 15 never need a license). Issued by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. (VTF&W).
Special-regulation waters in VT
Black River (Downers covered bridge to Howard Hill) Windsor Connecticut River (VT/NH interstate) Windsor/Orange/Caledonia Connecticut River Atlantic salmon VT/NH interstate Deerfield River East Branch (Searsburg) Bennington East Creek (Rutland City) Rutland Lake Champlain A Vermont or New York fishing license is valid in both the Main Lake and South Lake portions of Lake Champlain between the two states — anglers may fish from either shore or by boat. Zone exceptions: South Bay (NY embayment) requires a New York license; Vermont's Inland Sea, Mallett's Bay, Missisquoi Bay, and The Gut require a Vermont license; within the Four Bays, each state requires its own license on its side of the border. Each angler must follow the fishing regulations (seasons, size limits, species rules) of the state in which they are physically fishing. Lake Champlain (Table 2) A Vermont or New York fishing license is valid in both the Main Lake and South Lake portions of Lake Champlain between the two states — anglers may fish from either shore or by boat. Zone exceptions: South Bay (NY embayment) requires a New York license; Vermont's Inland Sea, Mallett's Bay, Missisquoi Bay, and The Gut require a Vermont license; within the Four Bays, each state requires its own license on its side of the border. Each angler must follow the fishing regulations (seasons, size limits, species rules) of the state in which they are physically fishing. Lamoille River (Rte 104 to Fairfax Falls Dam) Franklin Missisquoi River (Kane Rd to Enosburg Falls Dam) Franklin Otter Creek (VT Railway Bridge to Danby-Mt Tabor Rd) Rutland Passumpsic River (Gage Dam to Arnold Falls Dam) Caledonia Walloomsac River (NY border to former Tissue Plant Dam) Bennington Winooski River (Bolton Dam to Rte 2 bridge) Washington On the water? VT boating rules — BUI limit, life jackets & boater education → Don't get caught off guard Get a push the moment VT law changes — or when you cross into a state where it's different. Free. Get the free app Other VT laws
Informational only — not legal advice.
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