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The Vermont Statutes Online
Title
10APPENDIX
:
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Regulations
Chapter
002
:
FISH
[effective until January 1, 2016]
[Section 122 effective until January 1,
2016; see also section 122 effective January 1, 2016 set out below.]
§
122. Fish Management Regulation
1.0 Authority
This rule is
adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081(b). In adopting this rule, the Fish and Wildlife
Board is following the policy established by the General Assembly that the
protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish,
wildlife and fur-bearing animals in this state is in the interest of the public
welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the people of
the state requires a constant and continual vigilance.
In accordance
with 10 V.S.A. § 4082, this rule is designed to maintain the best health,
population and utilization levels of Vermont's fisheries.
In accordance
with 10 V.S.A. § 4083, this rule establishes open seasons; establishes daily,
season, possession limits and size limits; prescribes the manner and means of
taking fish; and prescribes the manner of transportation and exportation of
fish.
2.0 Purpose
It is the policy
of the state that the protection, propagation control, management and
conservation of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals in this state is in the
interest of the public welfare, and that safeguarding of this valuable resource
for the people of the state requires a constant and continual vigilance.
3.0 Angling, legal methods of taking fish
3.1 Definitons
3.1.1 Baited
Hook - A single shank hook with 1, 2, or 3 points which may be baited with
natural or artificial bait or both.
3.1.2 Lure - A
man-made device designed to catch only 1 fish at a time, to include a spoon,
plug, spinner, bait harness, tandem hook streamer or lead head jig.
3.1.3 Fly - A
single pointed hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, or any similar
material wound on or about the hook to which no hooks, spinners, spoons, or
similar devices have been added.
3.1.4 Immediate
Control - Such constant control as would enable the angler to respond forthwith
to a fish taking their bait, lure or fly promptly and without any delay.
3.2 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, except that at Seymour Lake and Little Averill Lake a person may take
fish only by using not more than one line.
3.3 A person
fishing by angling shall not take fish through the ice, from the ice, or from
an object supported by the ice.
3.4 A person
shall not take any fish pursuant to subsection (3.2) unless it is hooked in the
mouth. Any fish taken under subsection (3.2) that is not hooked in the mouth
shall be immediately released pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4602. A fish hooked in
any other part of the body with a hook or hooks manipulated in such a manner as
to pierce and hook the fish other than in the mouth shall be considered to be
foul hooked, and shall be prima facie evidence of foul hooking.
4.0 Ice Fishing
4.1 Definitions
4.1.1 Ice
Fishing - Ice fishing is defined as fishing by means of hook and line in hand
or attached to a rod, tip-up, jack or bob, where the angler is fishing through
a hole in the ice, from the ice or on an object supported by the ice. Fishing
by casting or trolling baited hooks, artificial flies or lures shall not be
considered ice fishing.
4.2 Fish may be
taken through the ice with not more than two baited hooks or three artificial
flies or two lures on each line. A person shall not operate more than eight
lines, except on Lake Champlain where no more than 15 lines may be operated,
and except on Seymour and Little Averill Lakes, where not more than four lines
may be operated.
4.3 A person so
fishing shall have at all times immediate control over the lines while in
operation at all times.
4.4 The
definitions of section 3 are applicable to this section.
5.0 The taking, possessing, transporting, use
and selling of baitfish
5.1 Purpose
5.1.1 This rule
applies to fish used as bait. This rule shall apply to all persons who take,
possess, transport, use, or deal with baitfish.
5.1.2 The
purpose of this paragraph is to: a) protect the fish, and fisheries in the
state, b) ensure the conservation of the fish and fisheries in the state, c)
maintain the best health of species of the state, d) prevent the introduction
or spread of a disease or parasite harmful to humans and wild species, and e)
prevent the escape or release of non-native species or species injurious to or
competitive with natural ecological systems and processes.
5.2 Definitions
5.2.1
"Application" means a specific form provided by the Fish and Wildlife
Department.
5.2.2
"Baitbox" means a receptacle used for holding or keeping baitfish
alive for personal use. A legal baitbox shall not exceed 25 cubic feet in
volume.
5.2.3
"Baitfish" means fish species and parts thereof, living or dead, used
for the purpose of attracting and catching fish.
5.2.4
"Commercial Dealing, dealing, or deal" means to sell as defined in 10
V.S.A. § 4001, subsection (22).
5.2.5 "Fish
Hatchery" refers to any fish culture station, hatchery, or artificial
rearing pond which grows or maintains baitfish for sale in Vermont.
5.2.6
"Permit" is a document from the Commissioner granting a Commercial
Bait Dealers Permit.
5.2.7
"Waterbody" means any lake, pond, river, or stream including all
tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable to upstream fish movement.
5.2.8
"Commercially Preserved Baitfish" means baitfish which are chemically
treated in a manner approved by the Department, and then packaged for retail
sale.
5.2.9 Personal
Baitfish Harvest" means baitfish taken for noncommercial use.
5.3 Personal
Baitfish Harvest
5.3.1 Personally
harvested baitfish may be used only on the same waterbody from which they were
collected.
5.3.2 A person
may harvest for baitfish only those fish species listed under paragraphs 5.6.1,
5.6.2 and 5.6.3.
5.3.3 It is
unlawful to take baitfish for personal use other than by the following methods:
a) minnow traps no longer than eighteen inches with an entrance for fish not
exceeding one inch in diameter, b) dip nets, cast nets, and umbrella nets not
exceeding a total of 51 square feet of mesh, or a seine net not exceeding 25
feet in length, c) angling by hook and line.
5.3.4 The
personal harvest of baitfish is unlawful in Seasonally Closed Waters as listed
in Section 9.0 of this regulation, except during the open season for trout, and
is prohibited in streams as specified in Section 9.2. Baitfish harvest shall be
conducted only by angling/ice fishing or the use of minnow traps no longer than
eighteen inches with an entrance for fish not exceeding one inch in diameter.
5.3.5 All traps,
nets, baitboxes or other holding receptacles capable of taking, holding or
keeping live baitfish in public waters must be marked with the name and address
of the owner and user.
5.3.6 Personally
harvested baitfish shall not be transported by motorized vehicle away from the
waterbody from which they were collected.
5.3.7 Baitfish
may be held on the water in a pen or baitbox as defined in paragraph 5.2.2.
5.3.8 Personally
harvested baitfish may be collected from a waterbody's tributaries upstream to
the first impassable barrier for use on such waterbody. Personally harvested
baitfish shall not be transported upstream beyond the first impassable barrier.
5.3.9 The
personal harvest of baitfish is prohibited on any waterbody of the state that
is defined as closed to baitfish harvest. The Department will maintain and make
available a list of closed waters.
5.3.10 Fish eggs
may be collected from legally harvested fish from Vermont waters, and used
immediately as bait on the same water where taken unless that waterbody has
been closed to baitfish collection. It is illegal to move personally harvested
fish eggs to any other waterbody. It is illegal to transport fish eggs away
from and return them to the same waterbody for use as bait unless they have
been processed in a manner approved by the Department as described on the
Department website.
5.4 Commercially
Purchased Baitfish
5.4.1 It is
unlawful to import baitfish into the State of Vermont without a Fish
Importation Permit, except as provided for in paragraphs 5.4.7 and 5.4.8.
5.4.2 A person
purchasing baitfish shall retain and show upon request a transportation receipt
issued by a state-approved commercial bait dealer, authorizing transportation
of baitfish overland by motorized vehicle. The receipt shall contain the
following information: 1) A unique receipt identification number, 2) The name
and telephone number of the bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species
purchased, 5) quantity purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the
baitfish will be used, 7) signature of purchaser.
5.4.3 A
transportation receipt shall be valid for 96 hours from time and date of sale.
5.4.4 A person
may transport unused commercially purchased baitfish away from waters of the
state by motorized vehicle, and retain for later use on the same waterbody as
indicated on the baitfish transportation receipt, within 96 hours from time and
date of sale.
5.4.5 A person
transporting unused commercially purchased baitfish away from the waterbody
indicated on the baitfish transportation receipt for later use on said
waterbody shall not hold them in any other water of the state. These baitfish
must be kept in a closed container isolated from any inflow of lake, pond or
stream water, or outflow to such waters of the state.
5.4.6 Baitfish
may be held beyond the 96 hour period on the water in a pen or baitbox as per
paragraph 5.2.2.
5.4.7 A person
may purchase baitfish from a New York baitshop for use on Lake Champlain only,
provided the baitshop is Vermont-licensed, and the baitfish are accompanied by
a Vermont-issued baitfish transportation receipt.
5.4.8 A person
may purchase baitfish from a New Hampshire baitshop for use on the Connecticut
River and its setbacks only, provided the baitshop is Vermont-licensed, and the
baitfish are accompanied by a Vermont-issued baitfish transportation receipt.
For the purposes of this paragraph, the Connecticut River is defined as all
waters of the river including the bays, setbacks, and tributaries, only to the
first highway bridge crossing said tributaries on the Vermont side.
5.4.9
Commercially prepared and preserved baitfish and fish eggs available from
retail stores may be purchased and used as bait, and may be taken home and kept
for later use, provided they are retained in the original packaging at all
times.
5.5 Commercial
Bait Dealers
5.5.1 Any person
who buys bait for resale or sells baitfish is required to obtain a Commercial
Bait Dealers Permit from the Commissioner. Only persons operating a place of
business and offering baitfish for sale to the public may apply for and hold a
Commercial Bait Dealers permit.
5.5.2 Commercial
Bait Dealers may sell as bait only those species of fish listed under section
5.6.1. Commercial Bait Dealers may also sell rainbow smelt as bait, provided
they are obtained from a fish hatchery approved by the Commissioner as per
paragraph 5.5.4 and its subsections below, or harvested by angling/ice fishing
and sold for use on the same waterbody on which the Bait Dealer is located as
per paragraph 5.5.5 and its subsections below.
5.5.3 Commercial
Bait Dealers must declare in their permit application if they will be a
Statewide baitfish dealer, or a Waterbody-Specific baitfish dealer.
5.5.4 Statewide
baitfish dealers are prohibited from possessing, buying or selling wild-caught
baitfish.
5.5.4.1 Baitfish
sold by Statewide baitfish dealers must originate from a fish hatchery approved
by the Commissioner.
5.5.4.2
Statewide baitfish dealers must hold or keep baitfish in waters drawn from a
secure well or municipal water source, or other water source as approved by the
Fish and Wildlife Department.
5.5.4.3 Baitfish
sold by Statewide baitfish dealers may be used in waters throughout the state,
except those waters as described in Section 6.0 of this regulation.
5.5.5
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers must declare on their permit application
the waterbody on which they are located.
5.5.5.1
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers may harvest wild baitfish only from the
declared waterbody, and offer them for sale and use only on the declared
waterbody.
5.5.5.2
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers must have baitfish holding facilities that
discharge directly to their declared waterbody. Holding facilities must not
discharge to other waters of the state.
5.5.5.3
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers shall not operate dip nets, cast nets, or
umbrella nets exceeding 51 square feet of mesh, or a seine net exceeding 125
feet in length, for the purposes of taking fish for bait, unless otherwise
provided for on a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit. Baitfish netting is
prohibited in all Seasonally Closed Waters as listed in Section 9.0 of this
regulation, unless otherwise provided for on a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit.
5.5.5.4 All
traps, nets, baitboxes or other holding receptacles capable of taking, holding
or keeping live baitfish in public waters must be marked with the name and
address of the owner and user.
5.5.5.5 The
commercial harvest of baitfish is prohibited on any waterbody of the state that
is defined as closed to baitfish harvest. The Department will maintain and make
available a list of closed waters.
5.5.6 A
Commercial Bait Dealer shall provide to each customer at the point of sale a
copy of a transportation receipt containing the following information: 1) A
unique receipt identification number, 2) The name and telephone number of the
bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species purchased, 5) quantity
purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the baitfish will be used, 7)
signature of purchaser.
5.5.7 A
transportation receipt shall be valid for 96 hours from time and date of sale.
5.5.8 Receipt books
shall be provided to Commercial Bait Dealers by the Department.
5.5.9 Any holder
of a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit shall maintain receipts or records for each
lot of wholesaled hatchery-raised or wild-caught baitfish introduced into their
shop. The receipts or records shall include: name, address and telephone number
of seller (for wholesaled baitfish), and date received, species identification,
and quantity purchased or harvested, for wholesaled and wild-caught baitfish.
The permit holder shall retain the receipts and records for at least one year
after the date of sale or harvest. Receipts or records must be provided to the
Department immediately upon request.
5.6 Approved
Species of Fish for use as Bait
5.6.1
Banded killifish
Fundulus diaphanus
Blacknose dace
Rhinichthys atratulus
Bluntnose minnow
Pimephales notatus
Common shiner
Luxilus cornutus
Creek chub
Semotilus atromaculatus
Eastern silvery
minnow Hybognathus regius
Emerald shiner
Notropis atherinoides
Fallfish
Semotilus corporalis
Fathead minnow
Pimephales promelas
Golden shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Longnose dace
Rhinichthys cataractae
Longnose sucker
Catostomus catostomus
Mimic shiner
Notropis volucellus
Northern
redbelly dace Phoxinus eos
Spottail shiner
Notropis hudsonius
White sucker
Catostomus commersoni
5.6.2 The
following additional fish species, or parts thereof, may be taken only by
angling/ice fishing and used for bait only in those waters where taken and
shall not be transported alive from those waters; only Rainbow smelt may be
commercially sold as bait:
Bluegill Lepomis
macrochirus
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Rainbow smelt
Osmerus mordax
Rock bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Yellow perch
Perca flavescens
5.6.3 Lake
Champlain - In addition to 5.6.2, the following fish species, or parts thereof,
may be taken only by angling/ice fishing in Lake Champlain and used as bait in
Lake Champlain, as described in Section 7.0 of this regulation, and may not be
commercially harvested or sold as bait; Alewife may only be used/possessed if
dead:
Alewife Alosa
pseudoharengus
White perch
Morone americana
5.6.4 All other
species of fish are prohibited for use as bait.
5.7 Commercial
Bait Dealer Application Process
5.7.1 A party
who wishes to obtain a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit shall apply to the Commissioner
in writing on a form provided by the Department. The Department may require the
applicant to submit such additional information as is necessary to determine
that the permitted activities comply with the purposes of this rule, including
but not limited to fish health testing, and the impact to Vermont's fish and
fisheries.
5.7.2 If the
application is deficient, the Department shall inform the applicant of the
deficiencies and return the application within 30 days of receipt, along with
any associated fee, to the applicant for revision and re-submission.
5.7.3 If the
application is denied, the Commissioner shall, within 30 days of receipt of
application, send the applicant a written denial providing the reasons for the
denied.
5.8 Permit
Compliance
5.8.1 The
Permittee shall make the permit available upon request by an agent of the
Department. Premises and equipment used by persons to take, store, or deal in
baitfish shall be accessible for inspection by the Commissioner and his or her
agents. Samples for species determination or disease examination shall be made
available immediately upon request.
5.8.2 Permittees
shall provide the Department with additional information as requested on an
annual basis or prior to the re-issuance of a new permit.
5.9 Permit
Revocation
5.9.1 The
Commissioner may revoke any permit issued in order to protect regulated
species: for any violation of a permit; failure to comply with this rule;
violation of any part of 10 V.S.A. Appendix; violation of the provisions of
Part 4, Title 10, Vermont Statutes Annotated; if the Commissioner determines it
is in the best interest of the fish or fisheries of Vermont.
5.9.2 Prior to
permit revocation, the Commissioner shall provide a proceeding consistent with
3 V.S.A. § 814(c).
5.9.3 Appeals of
the decisions of the Commissioner are subject to the Vermont Rules of Civil
Procedure.
6.0 Use of fish
as bait
The use of fish
in any form whether alive or dead for bait in fishing is prohibited in:
Adams Reservoir,
Woodford;
Beaver Pond,
Holland;
Beebe Pond,
Sunderland;
Big Mud Pond,
Mt. Tabor;
Blake Pond,
Sutton;
Bourn Pond,
Sunderland;
Branch Pond,
Sunderland;
Cow Mountain
Pond, Granby;
Griffith Lake,
Mt. Tabor;
Jobs Pond,
Westmore;
Lewis Pond,
Lewis;
Little Rock
Pond, Wallingford;
Martins Pond,
Peacham;
McIntosh Pond,
Royalton;
North Pond,
Chittenden;
Notch Pond,
Ferdinand;
Red Mill Pond,
Woodford;
Sterling Pond,
Cambridge;
South America
Pond, Ferdinand;
Stratton Pond,
Stratton;
Unknown Pond,
Averys Gore;
Unknown Pond,
Ferdinand
and any ponds as may be created or
reclaimed by the Fish and Wildlife Department. This regulation shall be posted
at all waters affected.
7.0 Lake Champlain Boundaries
Lake Champlain
proper shall be considered to include the setback at the same level and the
major tributaries to the lake to the following boundaries:
Dead Creek to
Panton Road bridge in Panton;
East Creek to
the falls in Orwell (downstream of Mount Independence Road);
Lamoille River
to the top of first dam (Peterson Dam) in Milton;
LaPlatte River
to the falls in Shelburne (under Falls Road bridge);
Lewis Creek to
falls in North Ferrisburgh (just upstream of Old Hollow Road);
Little Otter
Creek to falls in Ferrisburgh Center (downstream of Little Chicago Road);
Malletts Creek
to the first falls upstream of Roosevelt Highway (US 2 and US 7) in Colchester;
Mill River in
Georgia to the falls in Georgia (just upstream of Georgia Shore Road bridge);
Missisquoi River
to the top of Swanton Dam in the Village of Swanton;
Mud Creek to the
dam in Alburg (just upstream of Route 78 bridge);
Otter Creek to
the top of the dam in the city of Vergennes;
Poultney River
to Central Vermont Power Dam at Carver Falls in West Haven;
Rock River to
first Canadian border crossing;
Winooski River
to the Winooski One hydropower dam west of Main Street (US 7) in Winooski and
Burlington;
8.0 Clyde River:
Catch and Release
Between October
1 and October 31, on the Clyde River (Newport City, Orleans County) from the
downstream edge of the arch bridge at Gardner Park entrance upstream to the top
of the abandoned mill dam located immediately upstream of the Newport 1, 2, 3
hydroelectric powerhouse, fishing may be done with artificial flies and lures
only, and all salmon caught must be released.
9.0 Seasonally Closed Waters
9.1 The following
lakes and ponds or portions thereof are hereby designated Seasonally Closed
Waters and shall be closed to all fishing except during the open season for
trout as provided in section 10 of these regulations:
Adams Reservoir,
Woodford
Ansel Pond, Bethel
Baker Pond,
Barton
Bald Hill Pond,
Westmore
Bean Pond,
Sutton
Beaver Pond,
Holland
Beck Pond,
Newark
Beebe Pond,
Sunderland
Big Averill
Lake, Norton and Averill
Big Mud Pond,
Mt. Tabor
Blake Pond,
Sutton
Bourn Pond,
Sunderland
Branch Pond,
Sunderland
Brown Pond,
Westmore
Caspian Lake,
Greensboro
Center Pond,
Newark
Colby Pond,
Plymouth
Cow Mountain
Pond, Granby
Crystal Lake,
Barton
Duck Pond,
Sutton
Dufresne Pond,
Manchester
East Long Pond,
Woodbury
Echo Lake,
Charleston
Ewell Pond,
Peacham
Forest Lake,
Averill
Goshen Dam
(Sugar Hill Reservoir), Goshen
Griffith Lake,
Mt. Tabor
Hapgood Pond,
Peru
Hartwell Pond,
Albany
Holland Pond,
Holland
Jobs Pond,
Westmore
Knapp Brook Pond
No. 1, Reading and Cavendish
Knapp Brook Pond
No. 2, Reading and Cavendish
Lake
Dunmore-Salisbury and Leicester - Except from Sucker Brook to the island south,
which shall be open.
Levi Pond,
Groton
Lewis Pond,
Lewis
Little Averill
Lake, Averill
Little Elmore
Pond, Elmore
Little Rocky
Pond, Wallingford
Long Pond,
Newbury
Long Pond,
Westmore
Maidstone Lake,
Maidstone
Marl Pond,
Sutton
Martins Pond,
Peacham
May Pond, Barton
McIntosh Pond,
Royalton
Mud Pond, Hyde
Park
Nelson Pond
(Forest Lake), Calais and Woodbury
Nichols Pond,
Woodbury
North Pond,
Chittenden
Norton Pond,
Norton
Notch Pond,
Ferdinand
Noyes (Seyon)
Pond, Groton
Peacham Pond,
Peacham
Perch Pond,
(Zack Woods Pond), Hyde Park
Pigeon Pond,
Groton
Red Mill Pond,
Woodford
Seymour Lake,
Morgan
Shadow Lake,
Glover
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
Sunset Lake,
Benson
Unknown Pond,
Averys Gore
Unknown Pond,
Ferdinand
Vail Pond,
Sutton
Vernon Hatchery
Pond, Vernon
West Mountain
Pond, Maidstone
Wheeler Pond,
Barton and Sutton
Willoughby Lake,
Westmore
Zack Woods,
(Perch Pond), Hyde Park
9.2 All streams
are hereby designated Seasonally Closed Waters and shall be closed to all
fishing:
9.2.1 except
during the open season for trout as provided in section 10 of these
regulations; and
9.2.2 except
that the following streams shall be open to trout fishing only and no other
fishing shall be allowed, as set forth in Table 9.2.3.
9.2.3 STREAMS
OPEN TO TROUT FISHING ONLY NOVEMBER 1 TO THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE SECOND WEEK IN
APRIL
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season
4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Artificial
fly November
1 to Catch and Zero-All trout
below: or
lure only the Friday release
only must be
before the 2nd immediately
Saturday in released to
April: the water
where taken:
Black River From the top of the Lovejoy
Dam in Springfield upstream
to the Howard Hill Road Bridge in
Cavendish.
Deerfield River From the Woods Road
(Medburyville) bridge in
Wilmington upstream approximately 2 miles
to the VT Route 9W bridge in
Searsburg.
East Creek (Rutland City) From the
confluence with Otter Creek
upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the
top of the Patch Dam in Rutland
City.
Hoosic River From the Vermont/New York
border upstream to the
Vermont/Massachusetts border.
Lamoille River From the top of the
hydroelectric dam at Fairfax Falls
upstream to the top of the Cady's Falls
Dam in Morristown.
Missisquoi River From the top of the
Sheldon Springs Dam in Sheldon
Springs to the top of the Enosburg Falls
Dam in Enosburg Falls.
Moose River From the confluence with
Passumpsic River upstream to the
downstream edge of the Concord Avenue
bridge in St. Johnsbury.
Otter Creek From the top of the Center
Rutland Falls in Rutland
upstream to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest
Road Bridge (Forest Road #10) in Mt.
Tabor.
Passumpsic River From the Connecticut
River boundary upstream to the
top of Arnolds Falls Dam in St. Johnsbury.
Walloomsac River From the Vermont/New York
border in Bennington
upstream to the top of the former Vermont
Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of
Murphy Road) in Bennington.
Winooski River From the top of the Bolton
Dam in Waterbury and
Duxbury upstream to the VT Route 2/100 in
Duxbury and Waterbury.
10.0 Fish - Open Seasons, Size Restrictions
and Daily Bag Limits.
Fish of the
species named or described in the tables set forth below may be taken:
In the waters specified
in column 1, by the method specified in column 2, during the open season
specified in column 3.
Provided they
meet any size restrictions specified in column 4., and only in numbers listed
under daily bag limits specified in column 5., under no circumstances may a
person take in one day, more than the daily bag or weight limit from a listed
body of water. No person may take in aggregate more than the daily State-wide
aggregate limit for any species listed.
Businesses may
buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to
guidelines of the Board. Fish species are restricted to species not protected
by title 10 V.S.A. § 4611.
10.1 Possession
limits are equal to twice the daily bag limits. Fish species with limit
restrictions may not be possessed in excess of the possession limits at any
time.
10.1.1 No person
shall have live fish in their possession that are transported in a manner which
attempts to keep them alive when leaving waters of the state (10 V.S.A. § 1251(13)), except as follows:
10.1.1.1 the
person has been issued a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit by the Commissioner,
10.1.1.2 the
person has been issued scientific collection permit by the Commissioner which
specifically approves of the activity,
10.1.1.3 the
person has been issued a fish transportation permit by the Commissioner which
specifically approves of the activity,
10.1.1.4 the
person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish importation permit by the
Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity.
10.2 The daily
bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed season for that fish
species is zero.
10.3
"General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all
waters of the state, except the waters specifically named or described.
10.4 Unless
otherwise specifically provided, fish not listed in this regulation may be
taken at any time and without size or catch limit, in waters not listed as
Seasonally Closed Waters in Section 9 of these regulations.
10.5 Open
Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits Tables
a fish species that may be taken in one
day)
10.5.1 STATEWIDE AGGREGATE DAILY BAG LIMITS
(Maximum number of
a fish species that may be taken in one day)
FISH SPECIES DAILY AGGREGRATE LIMITS
Brook Trout 12 fish
Brown and
Rainbow Trout Maximum Combination
of 6 fish
Lake Trout 2 fish, (3 if taken from Lake Champlain)
Salmon 2 fish
Large and
Smallmouth Bass Maximum combination
of 5 fish
Northern
Pike 5 fish
Chain
Pickerel 10 fish
Muskellunge 0 fish
Walleye/Sauger 3 fish
Black and White
Crappie 25 fish
American
Shad 2 fish
Yellow
Perch 50 fish
Yellow Perch
exception Lake Champlain - No daily limit
10.5.2 BROOK, BROWN AND RAINBOW
TROUT
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season
4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling Second No
restriction 6 trout
waters. Saturday in
(except
as April through
listed
below) October 31
Lake
Champlain Angling and No closed
Minimum length 3 trout
ice
fishing season of 12 inches
Rivers
and Angling Second No
restriction 12 trout, of
Streams Saturday
in which not
April through more
October 31 than
6 can be
brown
and/or
rainbow
10.5.3 TROPHY TROUT STREAMS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season
4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Below: Angling Second No
restriction 2 trout in
Saturday in aggregate
April through
October 31
Black River along Rt. 131 in Weathersfield
and Cavendish, - from
Downers covered bridge upstream
(approximately 4 miles) to the next bridge
across the river, The Howard Hill Bridge.
East Creek in Rutland City - From the
confluence with Otter Creek
upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the
top of the Patch Dam in Rutland
City.
Lamoille River From the downstream edge of
the bridge on Route 104 in
the Village of Fairfax upstream
(approximately 1.6 miles) to the top of the
Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax.
Little River - From the confluence with
Winooski River in Waterbury
upstream to the Route 2 bridge in
Waterbury.
Missisquoi River in Enosburg and Sheldon -
From the downstream edge
of Kane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream
(approximately 5.7 miles) to the top of
the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.
Otter Creek in Danby and Mt. Tabor - From
the Vermont Railway Bridge
north of the fishing access upstream
(approximately 2 miles) to the Danby-Mt.
Tabor Forest Rd. Bridge (Forest Road #
10).
Passumpsic River in the Village of St.
Johnsbury - From the top of
the Gage Dam in St. Johnsbury upstream
(approximately 2.4 miles) to the top
of the Arnold Falls Dam.
Moose River - From the confluence with the
Passumpsic River
upstream (approximately 350 feet) to the
downstream edge of the Concord
Avenue bridge in the Village of St.
Johnsbury.
Walloomsac River in Bennington - From the
Vermont/New York border
upstream to the top of the former Vermont
Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of
Murphy Road) in Bennington.
Winooski River in Duxbury and Waterbury -
From the top of the Bolton
Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury upstream to
the Route 2 Bridge (east side of
Waterbury Village).
10.5.4 RAINBOW TROUT (Including STEELHEAD) / BROWN
TROUT
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Angling Second Minimum length 2
trout
Below: Saturday in of 10 inches
April
through
October
31
Lakes and Ponds
Caspian Lake, Greensboro
Echo Lake,
Charleston
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and the connecting waters),
Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport;
Willoughby Lake, Westmore
Rivers and Streams:
Orleans County:
Barton River - From the downstream side of the US Route 5 bridge
southernmost and closest to the Village of Barton in Barton downstream to Lake
Memphremagog
Black River - From the downstream side of
the VT Route 14/58 bridge in
Irasburg downstream to Lake Memphremagog.
Johns River - From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert)
upstream of Lake Memphremagog on North Derby Road (TH #6) upstream to U.S. 5,
in Derby.
Willoughby River
- The entire Willoughby River, from the Willoughby Lake outlet downstream to
the confluence with the Barton River.
10.5.5 BROOK, BROWN RAINBOW, LAKE TROUT AND SALMON 2
FISH
AGGREGATE LIMITS
1. Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Angling Second See Two
fish in
below: Saturday in
regulations aggregate
April through
for specific
October 31
bodies of
waters
Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill
Caspian Lake, Greensboro
Center
Pond, Newark
Crystal Lake, Barton
East Long Pond, Woodbury
Echo Lake,
Charleston
Elligo Lake, Craftsbury and Greensboro
Forest Lake (Nelson
Pond), Calais and Woodbury
Harveys Lake, Barnet
Lake Dunmore, Salisbury
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and
the connecting waters),
Coventry, Derby,
Newport City and Newport
Little Averill Lake, Averill
Long Pond, Westmore
Maidstone Lake, Maidstone
Nelson Pond (Forest
Lake), Calais and Woodbury
Nichols Pond, Woodbury
Seymour Lake, Morgan
Shadow Lake, Glover
Spring Lake, Shrewsbury
Sunset Lake, Benson
Willoughby Lake, Westmore.
10.5.6 STREAMS
OPEN TO YEAR ROUND TROUT FISHING
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
The
following Artificial fly No closed Catch
and Zero - All trout must
portions
of or
lure only, season for release only be
immediately
the
specified except during catch and returned to
rivers
shall the
open release only the
waters
be
open to season for where
taken,
fishing
for trout. except
during
trout year the
open
round:
season,
limits
(Listed
apply
in
below) accordance
with
the river
selected.
Open season; During the
from the 2nd
open season
Saturday in follow any
April through species
October 31 restrictions
for
the
selected river
Black River - From the Connecticut River
boundary upstream to the top
of the Lovejoy Dam in Springfield.
Lamoille River - From the Lake Champlain
boundary (top of Perterson
Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the
hydroelectric Dam at Fairfax Falls.
Lewis Creek - From the Lake Champlain
boundary upstream to the State
Prison Hollow Road (TH #3) bridge in
Starksboro.
Missisquoi River - From Lake Champlain
boundary upstream to the top
of the Sheldon Springs Dam in Sheldon
Springs.
Ompompanoosuc River - From the Connecticut
River boundary upstream to
the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
Otter Creek - From the Lake Champlain
boundary upstream to top of
Center Rutland Falls in Rutland.
Waits River - From the Connecticut River
boundary upstream to the top
of the Central Vermont Power Dam in
Bradford.
West River - Fom the Connecticut River
boundary upstream to the
Townshend Dam in Townshend.
White River - From the Connecticut River
boundary upstream to the
bridge on Route 107 in Bethel.
Williams River - From the Connecticut
River boundary upstream to the
top of the dam at Brockway Mills Falls in
Rockingham.
Winooski River - From the Lake Champlain
boundary upstream to the
Bolton Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury.
10.5.7 LAKE TROUT AND SALMON
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling Second Salmon
- 2
Lake Trout
Waters
(all Saturday in Minimum
or 2 Salmon
waters
except April
through length or
1 of each
listed
below) October 31 15 inches
Lake
Trout -
Minimum
length
- 18 inches
Lake
Champlain Angling ice No
Closed Lake Trout and 3 Lake Trout
fishing Season Salmon
- and
2 Salmon
Minimum
length
of 15 Inches
Little
Averill Angling with Angling
second Lake
Trout - 1 Lake Trout
Lake
and not
more than Saturday in Minimum length and 1Salmon
Seymour
Lake 1
line April through of 20 inches or 2 Salmon
October 31
Ice
fishing Ice fishing: Salmon -
with
not more third Saturday Minimum length
than
4 lines in January of 15 inches
through March
15
Listed Angling Second Lake
Trout - 2 Lake Trout
Below: Saturday in Minimum or 2 Salmon or
April through length
of 18 1 of each
October
31 Inches
Salmon -
Minimum length
of 17 Inches
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and
the connecting waters), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport, excluding
all waters of the Clyde River Watershed upstream of the hydroelectric dam that
creates West Charleston Pond (Lubber Lake) in West Charleston and excluding
Willoughby Lake and all waters that flow into it.
10.5.8 SPECIAL ICE FISHING PROVISIONS FOR BROOK,
BROWN,
RAINBOW, LAKE TROUT, SALMON AND BASS
1. Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Ice Fishing Third Saturday See species See species
below: in January restriction restriction
through
March for individual for individual
15 body
of water body of water
Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill;
Big Salem Lake, Derby;
Caspian
Lake, Greensboro;
Chittenden Dam, Chittenden;
Crystal Lake, Barton;
Echo Lake, Charleston;
Echo Lake, Plymouth;
Eden Lake, Eden;
Elligo Lake, Craftsbury and Greensboro;
Glen Lake, Castleton, Fair Haven, and Benson;
Harriman Reservoir, Whitingham and
Wilmington;
Harveys Lake, Barnet;
Island Pond, Brighton;
Joes Pond, Cabot, Danville;
Lake Bomoseen, Castleton and Hubbardton;
Lake Dunmore, Leicester, and Salisbury;
Lake Fairlee, Thetford, West Fairlee,
Fairlee;
Lake Hortonia, Sudbury, Hubbardton;
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and
the connecting waters), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport;
Lake Morey, Fairlee;
Lake Rescue, Ludlow;
Lake St. Catherine, Wells, Poultney;
Little Averill Lake, Averill;
Little Salem Lake, Derby;
Maidstone Lake, Maidstone;
Marshfield Dam (Mollys Falls Reservoir),
Cabot;
Miles Pond, Concord;
Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and
Woodbury;
Newark Pond, Newark
Norton Pond, Norton;
Parker Pond, Glover;
Peacham Pond, Peachman;
Pensioner Pond, Charleston;
Seymour Lake, Morgan;
Shadow Lake, Glover;
Somerset Reservoir, Somerset;
Sunset Lake, Benson;
Wallace Pond, Canaan;
Waterbury Reservoir, Waterbury;
Willoughby Lake,
Westmore;
Woodbury Lake, (Sabin Pond), Calais and
Woodbury
10.5.8 WILD TROUT STREAMS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Lamoille Angling,
with Second Minimum
length 2
trout
River
- artificial Saturday
in of
16 inches.
From
the lures
and April through
downstream flies
only. October
31.
edge
of the
railroad
bridge in
Johnson
upstream
(approximately
3.7
miles)
to
the
downstream
edge
of the
Ten
Bends
Drive
bridge
in
Hyde Park.
White Angling,
with Second Minimum
length 1
trout
River - artificial Saturday
in of
18 inches
From
the lures
and April through
confluence flies
only. October
31.
with
Lilliesville
Brook
in
Stockbridge
downstream
3.3
miles to
220
ft. down-
stream
of
the
confluence
with
Cleveland
Brook
in Bethel.
Mettawee Angling Second 10
to 14 2 trout, only
River
- Saturday in inches 1
greater than
From
the April through protected 14
inches
downstream October 31.
slot: (all
edge
of the
trout
10 to 14
Route
153 inches
must be
bridge
in released)
Pawlet
upstream
(approximately
16
miles) to
the
downstream
edge
of first
bridge
on Dorsert
Hollow
Road
and
including
tributary:
Flower
Brook
upstream
(approximately
1000 ft) to
the
downstream
edge
of the
Route
30
bridge
in
Pawlet.
Winooski Angling June
1 through 10 to 16 2 trout, only
River October 31 inches 1
greater than
Tributaries
- protected 16
inches
Listed
Below slot: (all
fish
10 to 16
inches must be
released)
Winooski River Tributaries
Joiner Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 1900 feet to the
first falls.
Pinneo Brook, Bolton - From the confluence
of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 100 feet to the
railroad crossing.
Preston Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 2600 feet to the
first falls.
Ridley Brook, Duxbury - From the
confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 1700 feet to the
first falls.
Listed Angling Second 10
to 16 2 trout, only
Below: Saturday in inches 1
greater than
April through protected 16
inches
October 31 slot:
(all
fish 10 to 16
inches must be
releases)
Dog River - From the first bridge on Route
12 above the confluence
with the Winooski River upstream
(approximately 4.3 miles) to the railroad
bridge in West Berlin.
New Haven River - From Munger Street
Bridge in New Haven upstream
(approximately 4.1 miles) to the South
Street bridge in Bristol.
Winooski River - From Preston Brook mouth
upstream (approximately 4.4
miles) to the Ridley Brook mouth.
10.5.10 ANADROMOUS ATLANTIC SALMON
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Connecticut No
person No Open Season All fish must Zero
- All
River
and shall
take or be
immediately Anadromous
tributaries attempt
to released Atlantic
take an salmon
must
anadromous be
immedi-
Atlantic ately
released
salmon,
any
salmon
unintentionally
taken
shall
be
immediately
released
in
accordance
with
section
4602
10.5.11 AMERICAN SHAD
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Connecticut Angling No
Closed No restriction 2 Shad
River, Season
including
Vermont
river
tributaries
10.5.11 CARP, BOWFIN, SUCKERS, MULLET (REDHORSE), GAR
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
Closed No restriction No limit
Waters fishing
and Season
(Except bow
with line
seasonally attached
to an
closed
waters arrow
and
as listed
below)
Lake Angling,
ice No
closed No restriction No limit
Champlain, fishing and season
not
to bow with line
include attached
to
tributaries arrow
Lake Spearing March
25 No restriction No limit
Champlain, through May
not
to 25,
Title 10
include VSA (4606e)
tributaries
10.5.12 NORTHERN PIKE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
closed Minimum length 5 Fish
Waters fishing Season of
20 inches
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Champlain Angling,
ice No
closed Minimum length 5 Fish
fishing season of
20 inches
Shooting
and March
25 Minimum length 5 Fish
spearing through
May of
20 inches
25, 10 VSA
(4606)
10.5.14 CHAIN AND REDFIN PICKEREL
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
closed No restriction No Limit
Waters fishing Season
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Champlain Angling ice No
Closed No restriction 10 fish
fishing, Season
Shooting
and March
25 No restriction 10 Fish
spearing through
May 25
10.5.15 MUSKELLUNGE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
closed All Zero
- All
Waters fishing;
Catch season muskellunge muskellunge
(except
as and
release must be must be
listed
below) with released
immediately
artificial released
lures
and
flies
only
Lake
Champlain Angling,
ice No
closed All Zero - All
fishing;
Catch season muskellunge muskellunge
and
release must be must be
with released immediately
artificial released
lures
and
flies
only
Shooting
and March
25 Zero Fish
spearing through
May
25, 10 VSA
4606(e)
Missisquoi Any
fish taken No open season Any fish taken
Zero - All
River
from must
be must be muskellunge
Swanton
Dam iimmediately immediately taken
must be
in
the Village released released
immediately
of
Swanton
released
upstream
to
the
Highgate
Falls
Dam
10.5.16 SMELT
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
All
waters Angling, ice No
closed No restriction No Limit
fishing season
10.5.17 BLACK AND WHITE CRAPPIE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
All
Waters Angling, ice No
closed Minimum length 25 fish,
fishing Season of
8 Inches Combined
10.5.18 YELLOW PERCH
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling
and No
closed No restriction 50 fish
Waters ice
fishing Season
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Champlain Angling and No
closed No restriction No Limit
ice
fishing Season
Businesses
may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to
guidelines of the Board. Fish species are restricted to species not protected
by 10 V.S.A. § 4611.
10.5.19 LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH
BASS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling No
closed No restriction 5 fish
Waters season
(except
as
listed
below)
Lakes,
Ponds Angling (Ice Second Minimum
length 5 Fish
and
reservoirs fishing -
see Saturday
in of
10 inches
special June
through
provisions) Nov.
30th
Lakes,
Ponds Angling:
Catch Second All
bass must Zero - All
and
reservoirs and
release with Saturday in be
released bass must be
(seasonally artificial
lures April through
immediately
closed) and
flies the Friday released
only before the
Second
Saturday in
June, both
dates
inclusive.
Lake,
Ponds
and
reservoirs
(not
seasonally
closed) Angling:
Catch Dec. 1 All bass must Zero
All
and
release through be released bass must be
with
artificial the Friday immediately lures
and flies before the released
only Second
Saturday
in
June,
both dates
Inclusive
Seasonally, Angling Only
when such No restrictions 5 Fish
Closed
Waters rivers and
-
streams streams
are
open to trout
fishing
except
as
prohibited
by
Section
9.2
Lake
Morey, Angling (Ice
Second Largemouth 5
Fish
Fairlee fishing
- see
Saturday in bass
- Minimum
special June
through length of 14
provisions) Nov.
30 inches
Lake
Morey, Angling:
Catch Dec. 1 All bass must Zero
All
Fairlee and release through be released bass
must be
with
artificial the Friday immediately lures
and flies before the released
only Second
Saturday
in
June,
both dates
Inclusive
Kent
Pond, Angling
Second Largemouth 10
fish, only
Killington Saturday in Bass: 1
fish greater
and
Baker June
through protected than 12
Pond, Nov.
30 slot: 10-12 inches
Brookfield inches
(all
fish
between
10
& 12 inches
must
be
released)
Kent
Pond, Angling
Dec. 1 All bass must Zero All
Killington and release through be released bass
must be and Baker with artificial the Friday immediately
Pond, lures and
flies before the released
Brookfield only Second
Saturday
in
June,
both dates
Inclusive
10.5.20 WALLEYE and SAUGER
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice First
Saturday Minimum length 3 Fish
Waters fishing
in
May through of 18 inches
and
Lake March
15
Champlain
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Carmi, Angling, ice
First Saturday Minimum
length 5 fish,
Franklin fishing In
May through of 15 inches provided only
March 15 Protected 1
is over 19
lengths
- 17 inches
to
19 inches
(all
fish
between
17 &
19
inches must
be released)
Chittenden Angling,
ice June
1 through Minimum length 2 fish
Reservoir, fishing March
15 of 22 inches
Chittenden
11. Spawning
grounds for game fish - Generally
11.5 The below
listed waters are declared spawning grounds for game fish and are hereby closed
to the taking of fish from second Saturday in April through May 31 annually.
Chittenden
County
Joiner Brook,
Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 1,900 feet to
the first falls.
Pinneo Brook,
Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 100 feet to the
railroad crossing.
Preston Brook,
Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 2,600 feet to
the first falls.
Orleans County
Black River -
From 600 feet below the falls at Old Harman Mill in
Coventry upstream to the top of falls at Old
Harman Mill in
Coventry.
Ware Brook -
From the downstream edge of the furthest
downstream
bridge/culvert on
Back Coventry Road (TH #8 in Irasburg)
upstream approximately one mile to
top of the first major
natural falls on Ware Brook.
Alder (Stony)
Brook - From its confluence with the Black River
upstream 3 1/2 miles to the outlet
of Sargent Pond, in Coventry.
Willoughby River
- From the confluence of the Brownington Branch of
the Willoughby River in Brownington
upstream to the
downstream edge of the bridge on
Vermont Route 58 in the
village of Evansville (Brownington);
and from the downstream
edge of bridge on the Tarbox Hill
Road in Orleans Village
upstream to the top of the natural
falls upstream of the bridge on
Tarbox Hill Road in Orleans Village.
Dorin, Wells,
Myers, Schoolhouse and Mill Brooks - From mouth of
brooks at Lake Willoughby upstream
approximately 3/4 mile in
Dorin Brook, all of Wells Brook, 1/2
mile in Myers Brook, 1/4
mile in the Schoolhouse Brook and
1/4 mile in Mill Brook and
tributaries, all in Westmore. For
identification purpose these
brooks are arranged in order from
north to south, and flow
through Vermont Agency of
Transportation structures on Route
5A number 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6,
respectively.
Brownington
Branch of the Willoughby River in Brownington - From
its confluence at the Willoughby
River extending upstream to
the second road crossing on
Brownington Chilafoux Road (TH
#15). Said crossing is located
approximately 2.4 miles from
Brownington Center on Chilafoux Road
(TH #15).
Country Club
Brook - From its confluence with the Willoughby River
extending upstream to Hollow Road
(TH #14) in Barton.
Porter Brook,
Greensboro - From Caspian Lake upstream to its
headwaters. (1987, Fish and Wildlife
Commissioner's Reg. No.
970, eff. April 1, 1987.)
Johns River -
From the downstream edge of the bridge on Beebe Road
(TH #3) upstream approximately two
tenths of a mile to the
downstream edge of bridge on Elm
Street (TH #2) in Derby.
Outlet Brook -
From the highway bridge near Echo Lake in Charleston
upstream to the top of dam at outlet
of Seymour Lake.
Washington County
Chase Brook -
From its confluence with the Dog River upstream
approximately 1/2 mile to the top of
the natural falls in Berlin.
Ridley Brook,
Duxbury - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 1,700 feet to
the first falls.
Windsor County
Lilliesville
Brook in the Town of Stockbridge from its confluence with
the White River upstream to the 2nd
bridge on the Lilliesville
Brook Road.
Locust Creek in
Bethel from its confluence with the White River
upstream to the 2nd bridge on Rt.
12.
11.6 The below
named waters are closed from March 16 through May 31:
Chittenden
County
Lamoille River -
From the downstream edge of the bridge on Bear Trap
Road in Milton (referred to as the
West Milton Bridge upstream
to the top of first dam (Peterson
Dam)) in Milton.
Winooski River
-From the Winooski One Hydro dam west of Main
Street (US 7) in Winooski and Burlington and extending
downstream to the downstream side of
the first railroad bridge.
Franklin County
Missisquoi River
- From the top of the Swanton dam in the Village of
Swanton downstream approximately 850
feet to the water
treatment plant on the west side of
the river, and downstream
approximately 850 feet to the
upstream end of the cement
breakwater on the east side of the
river. (1988, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 975, eff.
April 7, 1988.)
11.7 The below
named waters are closed from March 16 to the Friday before the 1st Saturday in
May, both dates inclusive:
Franklin County
Missisquoi River
- From the top of the Swanton Dam in the Village of
Swanton extending downstream 5,120
feet to the Northwest
corner (downstream) of the Riverside
Cemetery and across the
river to a pole on the Northeast
bank.
11.8 The below
named waters are closed from second Saturday in April through May 10:
Orleans County
Clyde River -
From the downstream edge of the bridge on Lower Clyde
Street in Newport City upstream to
the top of the abandoned
Mill Dam immediately upstream of the
Number 1,2,3
hydroelectric powerhouse, in Newport
City.
11.9 The below
named waters are closed from October 1 through October 31:
Orleans County
Johns River -
From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert)
upstream of Lake Memphremagog on
North Derby Road (TH
#6) upstream to U.S. 5, in Derby.
(Added 1961, No. 119, § 2, eff. May 9,
1961; amended 1963, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Aug. 23, 1963; 1966,
Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1967; 1968, Fish and Game Board
Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1969; 1971, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 840, eff.
March 19, 1971; 1971, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. June 21, 1971; 1973,
Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 866, eff. Jan. 20, 1973; 1974, Fish and Game Board
Reg. No. 892, eff. Dec. 26, 1974; 1975, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 895, eff.
Jan. 1, 1976; 1976, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 899, eff. Jan. 1, 1977; 1977,
Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 904, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; 1977, No. 245 (Adj.
Sess.), § 1, eff. Apr. 17, 1978; 1978, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 906, eff.
Oct. 21, 1978; 1979, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 913, eff. Nov. 21, 1979;
1980, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 915, eff. June 30, 1980; 1980, Fish and Game
Board Reg. No. 926, §§ 1-7, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg.
No. 936, §§ 1, 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 942,
eff. June 9, 1983; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 946, eff. Oct. 17, 1983;
1984, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 950, eff. Sept. 17, 1984; 1984, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 951, eff. Sept. 17, 1984; 1985, No. 953, eff. Jan. 1,
1985; 1985, No. 49; 1986, No. 962, eff. June 6, 1986; 1987, Fish and Wildlife
Board Reg. No. 971, eff. Sept. 17, 1987; 1990, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No.
980, eff. Feb. 23, 1990; 1991, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 982, eff. Jan.
5, 1991; 1991, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 990, eff. Sept. 1991; 1993,
Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 998, eff. March 23, 1993; 1995, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Jan. 2, 1996; 1997, Fish and Wildlife Board
Reg. No. 1003, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; 1999, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003,
eff. March 13, 1999; 2000 Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Oct. 7,
2000; 2003, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Dec. 6, 2002; 2004,
Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. June 4, 2004; 2005, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. July 21, 2005; 2005A, Fish and Wildlife
Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. March 31, 2006; 2007, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg.
No. 1003, eff. Sept. 1, 2006; 2008, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff.
January 1, 2009; 2010 Fish and Wildlife Reg. effective January 1, 2011; 2013
Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. January 1, 2014.)
[effective January 1, 2016]
[Section 122 effective January 1, 2016;
see also section 122 effective until January 1, 2016 set out above.]
§
122. Fish Management Regulation
1.0 Authority
This rule is
adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4081(b). In adopting this rule, the Fish and
Wildlife Board is following the policy established by the General Assembly that
the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish,
wildlife and fur-bearing animals in this state is in the interest of the public
welfare and that the safeguarding of this valuable resource for the people of
the state requires a constant and continual vigilance.
In accordance
with 10 V.S.A. § 4082, this rule is designed to maintain the best health,
population and utilization levels of Vermont's fisheries.
In accordance
with 10 V.S.A. § 4083, this rule establishes open seasons; establishes daily,
season, possession limits and size limits; prescribes the manner and means of
taking fish; and prescribes the manner of transportation and exportation of
fish.
2.0 Purpose
It is the policy
of the state that the protection, propagation control, management and
conservation of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals in this state is in the
interest of the public welfare, and that safeguarding of this valuable resource
for the people of the state requires a constant and continual vigilance.
3.0 Angling, legal methods of taking fish
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 Baited
Hook - A single shank hook with 1, 2, or 3 points which may be baited with
natural or artificial bait or both.
3.1.2 Lure - A
man-made device designed to catch only 1 fish at a time, to include a spoon,
plug, spinner, bait harness, tandem hook streamer or lead head jig.
3.1.3 Fly - A
single pointed hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, or any similar
material wound on or about the hook to which no hooks, spinners, spoons, or
similar devices have been added.
3.1.4 Immediate
Control - Such constant control as would enable the angler to respond forthwith
to a fish taking their bait, lure or fly promptly and without any delay.
3.2 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, except that at Seymour Lake and Little Averill Lake a person may take
fish only by using not more than one line.
3.3 A person
fishing by angling shall not take fish through the ice, from the ice, or from
an object supported by the ice.
3.4 A person
shall not take any fish pursuant to subsection (3.2) unless it is hooked in the
mouth. Any fish taken under subsection (3.2) that is not hooked in the mouth
shall be immediately released pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4602. A fish hooked in
any part of the body other than in the mouth shall be considered to be foul
hooked, and shall be prima facie evidence of foul hooking.
4.0 Ice Fishing
4.1 Definitions
4.1.1 Ice
Fishing - Ice fishing is defined as fishing by means of hook and line in hand
or attached to a rod, tip-up, jack or bob, where the angler is fishing through
a hole in the ice, from the ice or on an object supported by the ice. Fishing
by casting or trolling baited hooks, artificial flies or lures shall not be
considered ice fishing.
4.2 Fish may be
taken through the ice with not more than two baited hooks or three artificial
flies or two lures on each line. A person shall not operate more than eight
lines, except on Lake Champlain where no more than 15 lines may be operated,
and except on Seymour and Little Averill Lakes, where not more than four lines
may be operated.
4.3 A person so
fishing shall have at all times immediate control over the lines while in
operation.
4.4 A person
shall not take any fish pursuant to subsection (4.2) unless it is hooked in the
mouth. Any fish taken under subsection (4.2) that is not hooked in the mouth
shall be immediately released pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4602. A fish hooked in
any part of the body other than in the mouth shall be considered to be foul
hooked, and shall be prima facie evidence of foul hooking.
4.5 The
definitions of section 3 are applicable to this section.
5.0 The taking, possessing, transporting, use
and selling of baitfish
5.1 Purpose
5.1.1 This rule
applies to fish used as bait. This rule shall apply to all persons who take,
possess, transport, use, or deal with baitfish.
5.1.2 The
purpose of this paragraph is to: a) protect the fish, and fisheries in the
state, b) ensure the conservation of the fish and fisheries in the state, c)
maintain the best health of species of the state, d) prevent the introduction
or spread of a disease or parasite harmful to humans and wild species, and e)
prevent the escape or release of non-native species or species injurious to or
competitive with natural ecological systems and processes.
5.2
Definitions
5.2.1
"Application" means a specific form provided by the Fish and Wildlife
Department.
5.2.2
"Baitbox" means a receptacle used for holding or keeping baitfish
alive for personal use. A legal baitbox shall not exceed 25 cubic feet in
volume.
5.2.3
"Baitfish" means fish species and parts thereof, living or dead, used
for the purpose of attracting and catching fish.
5.2.4
"Commercial Dealing, dealing, or deal" means to sell as defined in 10
V.S.A. § 4001, subsection (22).
5.2.5 "Fish
Hatchery" refers to any fish culture station, hatchery, or artificial
rearing pond which grows or maintains baitfish for sale in Vermont.
5.2.6
"Permit" is a document from the Commissioner granting a Commercial
Bait Dealers Permit.
5.2.7
"Waterbody" means any lake, pond, river, or stream including all
tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable to upstream fish movement.
5.2.8
"Commercially Preserved Baitfish" means baitfish which are chemically
treated in a manner approved by the Department, and then packaged for retail
sale.
5.2.9 Personal
Baitfish Harvest" means baitfish taken for noncommercial use.
5.3
Personal Baitfish Harvest
5.3.1 Personally
harvested baitfish may be used only on the same waterbody from which they were
collected.
5.3.2 A person
may harvest for baitfish only those fish species listed under paragraphs 5.6.1,
5.6.2 and 5.6.3.
5.3.3 It is
unlawful to take baitfish for personal use other than by the following methods:
a) minnow traps no longer than eighteen inches with an entrance for fish not
exceeding one inch in diameter, b) dip nets, cast nets, and umbrella nets not
exceeding a total of 51 square feet of mesh, or a seine net not exceeding 25
feet in length, c) angling by hook and line.
5.3.4 The
personal harvest of baitfish is unlawful in Seasonally Closed Waters as listed
in Section 9.0 of this regulation, except during the open season for trout, and
is prohibited in streams as specified in Section 9.2. Baitfish harvest shall be
conducted only by angling/ice fishing or the use of minnow traps no longer than
eighteen inches with an entrance for fish not exceeding one inch in diameter.
5.3.5 All traps,
nets, baitboxes or other holding receptacles capable of taking, holding or
keeping live baitfish in public waters must be marked with the name and address
of the owner and user.
5.3.6 Personally
harvested baitfish shall not be transported by motorized vehicle away from the
waterbody from which they were collected.
5.3.7 Baitfish
may be held on the water in a pen or baitbox as defined in paragraph 5.2.2.
5.3.8 Personally
harvested baitfish may be collected from a waterbody's tributaries upstream to
the first impassable barrier for use on such waterbody. Personally harvested
baitfish shall not be transported upstream beyond the first impassable barrier.
5.3.9 The
personal harvest of baitfish is prohibited on any waterbody of the state that
is defined as closed to baitfish harvest. The Department will maintain and make
available a list of closed waters.
5.3.10 Fish eggs
may be collected from legally harvested fish from Vermont waters, and used
immediately as bait on the same water where taken unless that waterbody has
been closed to baitfish collection. It is illegal to move personally harvested
fish eggs to any other waterbody. It is illegal to transport fish eggs away
from and return them to the same waterbody for use as bait unless they have
been processed in a manner approved by the Department as described on the
Department website.
5.4
Commercially Purchased Baitfish
5.4.1 It is
unlawful to import baitfish into the State of Vermont without a Fish
Importation Permit, except as provided for in paragraphs 5.4.7 and 5.4.8.
5.4.2 A person
purchasing baitfish shall retain and show upon request a transportation receipt
issued by a state-approved commercial bait dealer, authorizing transportation
of baitfish overland by motorized vehicle. The receipt shall contain the
following information: 1) A unique receipt identification number, 2) The name
and telephone number of the bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species
purchased, 5) quantity purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the
baitfish will be used, 7) signature of purchaser.
5.4.3 A
transportation receipt shall be valid for 96 hours from time and date of sale.
5.4.4 A person
may transport unused commercially purchased baitfish away from waters of the
state by motorized vehicle, and retain for later use on the same waterbody as
indicated on the baitfish transportation receipt, within 96 hours from time and
date of sale.
5.4.5 A person
transporting unused commercially purchased baitfish away from the waterbody
indicated on the baitfish transportation receipt for later use on said
waterbody shall not hold them in any other water of the state. These baitfish
must be kept in a closed container isolated from any inflow of lake, pond or
stream water, or outflow to such waters of the state.
5.4.6 Baitfish
may be held beyond the 96 hour period on the water in a pen or baitbox as per
paragraph 5.2.2.
5.4.7 A person
may purchase baitfish from a New York baitshop for use on Lake Champlain only,
provided the baitshop is Vermont-licensed, and the baitfish are accompanied by
a Vermont-issued baitfish transportation receipt.
5.4.8 A person
may purchase baitfish from a New Hampshire baitshop for use on the Connecticut
River and its setbacks only, provided the baitshop is Vermont-licensed, and the
baitfish are accompanied by a Vermont-issued baitfish transportation receipt.
For the purposes of this paragraph, the Connecticut River is defined as all
waters of the river including the bays, setbacks, and tributaries, only to the
first highway bridge crossing said tributaries on the Vermont side.
5.4.9
Commercially prepared and preserved baitfish and fish eggs available from
retail stores may be purchased and used as bait, and may be taken home and kept
for later use, provided they are retained in the original packaging at all
times.
5.5
Commercial Bait Dealers
5.5.1 Any person
who buys bait for resale or sells baitfish is required to obtain a Commercial
Bait Dealers Permit from the Commissioner. Only persons operating a place of
business and offering baitfish for sale to the public may apply for and hold a
Commercial Bait Dealers permit.
5.5.2 Commercial
Bait Dealers may sell as bait only those species of fish listed under section
5.6.1. Commercial Bait Dealers may also sell rainbow smelt as bait, provided they
are obtained from a fish hatchery approved by the Commissioner as per paragraph
5.5.4 and its subsections below, or harvested by angling/ice fishing and sold
for use on the same waterbody on which the Bait Dealer is located as per
paragraph 5.5.5 and its subsections below.
5.5.3 Commercial
Bait Dealers must declare in their permit application if they will be a
Statewide baitfish dealer, or a Waterbody-Specific baitfish dealer.
5.5.4 Statewide
baitfish dealers are prohibited from possessing, buying or selling wild-caught
baitfish.
5.5.4.1 Baitfish
sold by Statewide baitfish dealers must originate from a fish hatchery approved
by the Commissioner.
5.5.4.2
Statewide baitfish dealers must hold or keep baitfish in waters drawn from a
secure well or municipal water source, or other water source as approved by the
Fish and Wildlife Department.
5.5.4.3 Baitfish
sold by Statewide baitfish dealers may be used in waters throughout the state,
except those waters as described in Section 6.0 of this regulation.
5.5.5 Waterbody-specific
baitfish dealers must declare on their permit application the waterbody on
which they are located.
5.5.5.1
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers may harvest wild baitfish only from the
declared waterbody, and offer them for sale and use only on the declared
waterbody.
5.5.5.2
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers must have baitfish holding facilities that
discharge directly to their declared waterbody. Holding facilities must not
discharge to other waters of the state.
5.5.5.3
Waterbody-specific baitfish dealers shall not operate dip nets, cast nets, or
umbrella nets exceeding 51 square feet of mesh, or a seine net exceeding 125
feet in length, for the purposes of taking fish for bait, unless otherwise
provided for on a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit. Baitfish netting is
prohibited in all Seasonally Closed Waters as listed in Section 9.0 of this
regulation, unless otherwise provided for on a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit.
5.5.5.4 All
traps, nets, baitboxes or other holding receptacles capable of taking, holding
or keeping live baitfish in public waters must be marked with the name and
address of the owner and user.
5.5.5.5 The
commercial harvest of baitfish is prohibited on any waterbody of the state that
is defined as closed to baitfish harvest. The Department will maintain and make
available a list of closed waters.
5.5.6 A
Commercial Bait Dealer shall provide to each customer at the point of sale a
copy of a transportation receipt containing the following information: 1) A
unique receipt identification number, 2) The name and telephone number of the
bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species purchased, 5) quantity
purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the baitfish will be used, 7)
signature of purchaser.
5.5.7 A
transportation receipt shall be valid for 96 hours from time and date of sale.
5.5.8 Receipt
books shall be provided to Commercial Bait Dealers by the Department.
5.5.9 Any holder
of a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit shall maintain receipts or records for each
lot of wholesaled hatchery-raised or wild-caught baitfish introduced into their
shop. The receipts or records shall include: name, address and telephone number
of seller (for wholesaled baitfish), and date received, species identification,
and quantity purchased or harvested, for wholesaled and wild-caught baitfish.
The permit holder shall retain the receipts and records for at least one year
after the date of sale or harvest. Receipts or records must be provided to the
Department immediately upon request.
5.6
Approved Species of Fish for use as Bait
5.6.1
Banded killifish
Fundulus diaphanus
Blacknose dace
Rhinichthys atratulus
Bluntnose minnow
Pimephales notatus
Common shiner
Luxilus cornutus
Creek chub
Semotilus atromaculatus
Eastern silvery
minnow Hybognathus regius
Emerald shiner
Notropis atherinoides
Fallfish
Semotilus corporalis
Fathead minnow
Pimephales promelas
Golden shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Longnose dace
Rhinichthys cataractae
Longnose sucker
Catostomus catostomus
Mimic shiner
Notropis volucellus
Northern
redbelly dace Phoxinus eos
Spottail shiner
Notropis hudsonius
White sucker
Catostomus commersoni
5.6.2 The
following additional fish species, or parts thereof, may be taken only by
angling/ice fishing and used for bait only in those waters where taken and
shall not be transported alive from those waters; only Rainbow smelt may be
commercially sold as bait:
Bluegill Lepomis
macrochirus
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Rainbow smelt
Osmerus mordax
Rock bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Yellow perch
Perca flavescens
5.6.3 Lake
Champlain - In addition to 5.6.2, the following fish species, or parts thereof,
may be taken only by angling/ice fishing in Lake Champlain and used as bait in
Lake Champlain, as described in Section 7.0 of this regulation, and may not be
commercially harvested or sold as bait; Alewife may only be used/possessed if
dead:
Alewife Alosa
pseudoharengus
White perch
Morone americana
5.6.4 All other
species of fish are prohibited for use as bait.
5.7
Commercial Bait Dealer Application Process
5.7.1 A party
who wishes to obtain a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit shall apply to the
Commissioner in writing on a form provided by the Department. The Department
may require the applicant to submit such additional information as is necessary
to determine that the permitted activities comply with the purposes of this
rule, including but not limited to fish health testing, and the impact to
Vermont's fish and fisheries.
5.7.2 If the
application is deficient, the Department shall inform the applicant of the
deficiencies and return the application within 30 days of receipt, along with
any associated fee, to the applicant for revision and re-submission.
5.7.3 If the
application is denied, the Commissioner shall, within 30 days of receipt of
application, send the applicant a written denial providing the reasons for the
denied.
5.8
Permit Compliance
5.8.1 The
Permittee shall make the permit available upon request by an agent of the
Department. Premises and equipment used by persons to take, store, or deal in
baitfish shall be accessible for inspection by the Commissioner and his or her
agents. Samples for species determination or disease examination shall be made
available immediately upon request.
5.8.2 Permittees
shall provide the Department with additional information as requested on an
annual basis or prior to the re-issuance of a new permit.
5.9
Permit Revocation
5.9.1 The
Commissioner may revoke any permit issued in order to protect regulated
species: for any violation of a permit; failure to comply with this rule;
violation of any part of 10 V.S.A. Appendix; violation of the provisions of
Part 4, Title 10, Vermont Statutes Annotated; if the Commissioner determines it
is in the best interest of the fish or fisheries of Vermont.
5.9.2 Prior to
permit revocation, the Commissioner shall provide a proceeding consistent with
3 V.S.A. § 814(c).
5.9.3 Appeals of
the decisions of the Commissioner are subject to the Vermont Rules of Civil
Procedure.
6.0
Use of fish as bait
The use of fish
in any form whether alive or dead for bait in fishing is prohibited in:
Adams Reservoir,
Woodford;
Beaver Pond,
Holland;
Beebe Pond,
Sunderland;
Big Mud Pond,
Mt. Tabor;
Blake Pond,
Sutton;
Bourn Pond,
Sunderland;
Branch Pond,
Sunderland;
Cow Mountain
Pond, Granby;
Griffith Lake,
Mt. Tabor;
Jobs Pond,
Westmore;
Lewis Pond,
Lewis;
Little Rock
Pond, Wallingford;
Martins Pond,
Peacham;
McIntosh Pond,
Royalton;
North Pond,
Chittenden;
Notch Pond,
Ferdinand;
Red Mill Pond,
Woodford;
Sterling Pond,
Cambridge;
South America
Pond, Ferdinand;
Stratton Pond,
Stratton;
Unknown Pond,
Averys Gore;
Unknown Pond,
Ferdinand
and any ponds as may be created or
reclaimed by the Fish and Wildlife Department. This regulation shall be posted
at all waters affected.
7.0 Lake Champlain Boundaries
Lake Champlain
proper shall be considered to include the setback at the same level and the
major tributaries to the lake to the following boundaries:
Dead Creek to
Panton Road bridge in Panton;
East Creek to
the falls in Orwell (downstream of Mount Independence Road);
Lamoille River
to the top of first dam (Peterson Dam) in Milton;
LaPlatte River
to the falls in Shelburne (under Falls Road bridge);
Lewis Creek to
falls in North Ferrisburgh (just upstream of Old Hollow Road);
Little Otter
Creek to falls in Ferrisburgh Center (downstream of Little Chicago Road);
Malletts Creek
to the first falls upstream of Roosevelt Highway (US 2 and US 7) in Colchester;
Mill River in
Georgia to the falls in Georgia (just upstream of Georgia Shore Road bridge);
Missisquoi River
to the top of Swanton Dam in the Village of Swanton;
Mud Creek to the
dam in Alburg (just upstream of Route 78 bridge);
Otter Creek to
the top of the dam in the city of Vergennes;
Poultney River
to Central Vermont Power Dam at Carver Falls in West Haven;
Rock River to
first Canadian border crossing;
Winooski River
to the Winooski One hydropower dam west of Main Street (US 7) in Winooski and
Burlington;
8.0
Clyde River: Catch and Release
Between October
1 and October 31, on the Clyde River (Newport City, Orleans County) from the
downstream edge of the arch bridge at Gardner Park entrance upstream to the top
of the abandoned mill dam located immediately upstream of the Newport 1, 2, 3
hydroelectric powerhouse, fishing may be done with artificial flies and lures
only, and all salmon caught must be released.
9.0 Seasonally Closed Waters
9.1 The
following lakes and ponds or portions thereof are hereby designated Seasonally
Closed Waters and shall be closed to all fishing except during the open season
for trout as provided in section 10 of these regulations:
Adams Reservoir,
Woodford
Ansel Pond,
Bethel
Baker Pond,
Barton
Bald Hill Pond,
Westmore
Bean Pond,
Sutton
Beaver Pond,
Holland
Beck Pond,
Newark
Beebe Pond,
Sunderland
Big Averill
Lake, Norton and Averill
Big Mud Pond,
Mt. Tabor
Blake Pond,
Sutton
Bourn Pond,
Sunderland
Branch Pond, Sunderland
Brown Pond,
Westmore
Caspian Lake,
Greensboro
Center Pond,
Newark
Colby Pond,
Plymouth
Cow Mountain
Pond, Granby
Crystal Lake,
Barton
Duck Pond,
Sutton
Dufresne Pond,
Manchester
East Long Pond,
Woodbury
Echo Lake,
Charleston
Ewell Pond,
Peacham
Forest Lake,
Averill
Goshen Dam
(Sugar Hill Reservoir), Goshen
Griffith Lake,
Mt. Tabor
Hapgood Pond,
Peru
Hartwell Pond,
Albany
Holland Pond,
Holland
Jobs Pond,
Westmore
Knapp Brook Pond
No. 1, Reading and Cavendish
Knapp Brook Pond
No. 2, Reading and Cavendish
Lake
Dunmore-Salisbury and Leicester - Except from Sucker Brook to the island south,
which shall be open.
Levi Pond,
Groton
Lewis Pond,
Lewis
Little Averill
Lake, Averill
Little Elmore
Pond, Elmore
Little Rocky
Pond, Wallingford
Long Pond, Newbury
Long Pond,
Westmore
Maidstone Lake,
Maidstone
Marl Pond,
Sutton
Martins Pond,
Peacham
May Pond, Barton
McIntosh Pond,
Royalton
Mud Pond, Hyde
Park
Nelson Pond
(Forest Lake), Calais and Woodbury
Nichols Pond,
Woodbury
North Pond,
Chittenden
Norton Pond,
Norton
Notch Pond,
Ferdinand
Noyes (Seyon)
Pond, Groton
Peacham Pond,
Peacham
Perch Pond,
(Zack Woods Pond), Hyde Park
Pigeon Pond,
Groton
Red Mill Pond,
Woodford
Seymour Lake,
Morgan
Shadow Lake,
Glover
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
Sunset Lake,
Benson
Unknown Pond,
Averys Gore
Unknown Pond,
Ferdinand
Vail Pond,
Sutton
Vernon Hatchery
Pond, Vernon
West Mountain
Pond, Maidstone
Wheeler Pond,
Barton and Sutton
Willoughby Lake,
Westmore
Zack Woods,
(Perch Pond), Hyde Park
9.2 All streams
are hereby designated Seasonally Closed Waters and shall be closed to all
fishing except during the open season for trout as provided in section 10 of
these regulations; and
9.2.1 except
that the following streams shall be open to trout fishing only, and no fishing
for other species shall be allowed, from November 1 to the Friday before the
second Saturday in April, as set forth in Table 9.2.2.
9.2.2: STREAMS
OPEN TO FISHING FOR TROUT ONLY NOVEMBER 1 TO THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE SECOND WEEK
IN APRIL
1. Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions
Limit
Listed Artificial
fly November
1 to Catch and Zero-All trout
below: or
lure only the Friday release
only must be
before the 2nd Immediately
Saturday in released to
April: the water
where
taken:
Black River From the top of the
Lovejoy Dam in Springfield upstream
to the Howard Hill Road Bridge in
Cavendish.
Deerfield River From the Woods
Road (Medburyville) bridge in
Wilmington upstream approximately 2 miles
to the VT Route 9W bridge in
Searsburg.
East Creek (Rutland City) From
the confluence with Otter Creek
upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the
top of the Patch Dam in Rutland
City.
Hoosic River From the Vermont ew
York border upstream to the
Vermont/Massachusetts border.
Lamoille River From the top of
the hydroelectric dam at Fairfax Falls
upstream to the top of the Cady's Falls
Dam in Morristown.
Missisquoi River From the top of
the Sheldon Springs Dam in Sheldon
Springs to the top of the Enosburg Falls
Dam in Enosburg Falls.
Moose River From the confluence
with Passumpsic River upstream to the
downstream edge of the Concord Avenue
bridge in St. Johnsbury.
Otter Creek From the top of the
Center Rutland Falls in Rutland
upstream to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest
Road Bridge (Forest Road #10) in Mt.
Tabor.
Passumpsic River From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to the
top of Arnolds Falls Dam in St. Johnsbury.
Walloomsac River From the
Vermont ew York border in Bennington
upstream to the top of the former Vermont
Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of
Murphy Road) in Bennington.
Winooski River From the top of
the Bolton Dam in Waterbury and
Duxbury upstream to the VT Route 2/100 in
Duxbury and Waterbury.
10.0 Fish - Open Seasons, Size Restrictions
and Daily Bag Limits.
Fish of the
species named or described in the tables set forth below may be taken:
In the waters
specified in column 1, by the method specified in column 2, during the open season
specified in column 3.
Provided they
meet any size restrictions specified in column 4., and only in numbers listed
under daily bag limits specified in column 5., under no circumstances may a
person take in one day, more than the daily bag or weight limit from a listed
body of water. No person may take in aggregate more than the daily State-wide
aggregate limit for any species listed.
Businesses may
buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to
guidelines of the Board. Fish species are restricted to species not protected
by title 10 V.S.A. § 4611.
10.1 Possession
limits are equal to twice the daily bag limits. Fish species with limit
restrictions may not be possessed in excess of the possession limits at any
time.
10.1.1 No person
shall have live fish in their possession that are transported in a manner which
attempts to keep them alive when leaving waters of the state (10 V.S.A. § 1251(13)), except as follows:
10.1.1.1 the
person has been issued a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit by the Commissioner,
10.1.1.2 the
person has been issued scientific collection permit by the Commissioner which
specifically approves of the activity,
10.1.1.3 the
person has been issued a fish transportation permit by the Commissioner which
specifically approves of the activity,
10.1.1.4 the
person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish importation permit by the
Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity.
10.2 The daily
bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed season for that fish
species is zero.
10.3
"General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all
waters of the state, except the waters specifically named or described.
10.4 Unless
otherwise specifically provided, fish not listed in this regulation may be
taken at any time and without size or catch limit, in waters not listed as
Seasonally Closed Waters in Section 9 of these regulations.
10.5 Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily
Bag Limits Tables
10.5.1 STATEWIDE AGGREGATE
DAILY BAG LIMITS
(Maximum number of a fish
species that may be taken in one day)
FISH
SPECIES DAILY AGGREGRATE
LIMITS
Brook Trout 12 fish
Brown and Rainbow Trout Maximum
Combination of 6 fish
Lake Trout 2
fish, (3 if taken from Lake Champlain)
Salmon 2 fish
Large and Smallmouth Bass Maximum
combination of 5 fish
Northern Pike 5 fish
Chain
Pickerel 10 fish
Muskellunge 0 fish
Walleye 3 fish
Black and White Crappie 25
fish
American Shad 0 fish
Yellow Perch 50 fish
Yellow Perch exception Lake
Champlain - No daily limit
Sauger 0 fish
10.5.2 BROOK, BROWN AND
RAINBOW TROUT
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling
Second
No restriction 6 trout
waters. Saturday in
(except
as `` April through
listed
below) October 31
Lake
Champlain Angling, ice No closed Minimum length 3 trout
fishing season of 12 inches
Rivers
and Angling Second No restriction
12 trout, of
Streams Saturday in which not more
April
through than 6 can be
October
31 brown and/or
rainbow
10.5.3 TROPHY TROUT STREAMS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed
Below: Angling Second No restriction
2 trout in
Saturday
in aggregate
April
through
October 31
Black
River along Rt. 131 in Weathersfield and
Cavendish, - from
Downers covered bridge upstream
(approximately 4 miles) to the next bridge
across the river, The Howard Hill Bridge.
East
Creek in Rutland City - From the confluence
with Otter Creek
upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the
top of the Patch Dam in Rutland
City.
Lamoille
River From the downstream edge of the bridge on
Route 104 in
the Village of Fairfax upstream
(approximately 1.6 miles) to the top of the
Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax.
Little
River - From the confluence with Winooski River
in Waterbury
upstream to the Route 2 bridge in
Waterbury.
Missisquoi River in Enosburg and
Sheldon - From the downstream edge
of Kane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream
(approximately 5.7 miles) to the top of
the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.
Otter Creek
in Danby and Mt. Tabor - From the Vermont Railway Bridge
north of the fishing access upstream
(approximately 2 miles) to the Danby-Mt.
Tabor Forest Rd. Bridge (Forest Road #
10).
Passumpsic River in the Village
of St. Johnsbury - From the top of
the Gage Dam in St. Johnsbury upstream
(approximately 2.4 miles) to the top
of the Arnold Falls Dam.
Moose River - From the
confluence with the Passumpsic River
upstream (approximately 350 feet) to the
downstream edge of the Concord
Avenue bridge in the Village of St.
Johnsbury.
Walloomsac River in Shaftsbury
and Bennington - From the Vermont ew
York border in Shaftsbury upstream to the
top of the former Vermont Tissue
Plant Dam (downstream of Murphy Road) in
Bennington.
Winooski River in Duxbury and
Waterbury - From the top of the Bolton
Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury upstream to
the Route 2 Bridge (east side of
Waterbury Village).
10.5.4 RAINBOW TROUT
(Including STEELHEAD) / BROWN TROUT
1. Waters 2.
Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Angling Second Minimum length 2 trout
Below: Saturday in
of 10 inches
April through
October 31
Lakes and Ponds
Caspian Lake, Greensboro
Echo Lake,
Charleston
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and the connecting
waters),
Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport;
Willoughby Lake, Westmore
Rivers and Streams:
Orleans County:
Barton River -
From Lake Memphremagog upstream to the
downstream side of the US Route 5 bridge southernmost and closest to the
Village of Barton in Barton.
Black River - From Lake Memphremagog upstream to the downstream side of
the VT Route 14 / 58 bridge in Irasburg.
Johns
River - From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert) upstream of Lake
Memphremagog on North Derby Road (TH #6) upstream to U.S. 5, in Derby.
Willoughby River - The entire Willoughby
River, from confluence with Barton
River in Barton upstream to the Willoughby
Lake outlet in Westmore.
10.5.5 BROOK, BROWN, RAINBOW,
LAKE TROUT AND SALMON 2 FISH
AGGREGATE LIMITS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions
Limit
Listed Angling Second See Two fish in
below: Saturday in regulations aggregate
April through for
specific
October
31 bodies
of
Waters
Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill
Caspian Lake, Greensboro
Center
Pond, Newark
Crystal Lake, Barton
East Long Pond, Woodbury
Echo Lake,
Charleston
Elligo Lake, Craftsbury and Greensboro
Forest Lake (Nelson
Pond), Calais and Woodbury
Harveys Lake, Barnet
Lake Dunmore, Salisbury
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and
the connecting waters),
Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport
Little Averill Lake, Averill
Long Pond, Westmore
Maidstone Lake, Maidstone
Nelson Pond (Forest
Lake), Calais and Woodbury
Nichols Pond, Woodbury
Seymour Lake, Morgan
Shadow Lake, Glover
Spring Lake, Shrewsbury
Sunset Lake, Benson
Willoughby Lake, Westmore.
10.5.6 STREAMS OPEN TO YEAR
ROUND TROUT FISHING
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
The
following Artificial fly No closed Catch and Zero
- All
portions
of or
lure only, season for release
only trout
must be
the
specified except during catch and immediately
rivers
shall the
open release only returned to
be
open to season for the waters
fishing
for trout. where
taken,
trout year
except
during
round:
the
open
(Listed
season,
limits
below)
apply
in
accordance
with
the river
selected.
Open
season; During the
from the 2nd
open season
Saturday in
follow any
April through species
October
31 restrictions
for the
selected river
Black River - From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top
of the Lovejoy Dam in Springfield.
Lamoille River - From the Lake
Champlain boundary (top of Perterson
Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the
hydroelectric Dam at Fairfax Falls.
Lewis Creek - From the Lake
Champlain boundary upstream to the State
Prison Hollow Road (TH #3) bridge in Starksboro.
Missisquoi River - From Lake
Champlain boundary upstream to the top
of the Sheldon Springs Dam in Sheldon
Springs.
Ompompanoosuc River - From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to
the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
Otter Creek - From the Lake
Champlain boundary upstream to top of
Center Rutland Falls in Rutland.
Waits River - From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top
of the Central Vermont Power Dam in
Bradford.
West River - From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to the
Townshend Dam in Townshend.
White River - From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to the
bridge on Route 107 in Bethel.
Williams River - From the
Connecticut River boundary upstream to the
top of the dam at Brockway Mills Falls in
Rockingham.
Winooski River
- From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the
Bolton Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury.
10.5.7 LAKE TROUT AND SALMON
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling Second Salmon
- 2
Lake Trout
Waters
(all Saturday in Minimum
length or 2 Salmon or
waters
except April through of
15 inches 1 of each
listed
below) October 31 Lake
Trout -
Minimum
length
of 18 inches
Lake
Champlain Angling, ice No
Closed Lake Trout and 3 Lake Trout
Fishing Season Salmon
- and 2 Salmon
Minimum length
of 15 inches
Little Angling, with Angling: Lake
Trout - 1 Lake Trout
Averill Lake not more than Second Minimum length and 1 salmon
and
Seymour 1 line Saturday in of 20 inches or 2 Salmon
Lake April through
October 31
Ice
fishing Ice
fishing: Salmon -
with not more third Saturday Minimum
length
than
4 lines in January of 15 inches
through
March
15
Listed Angling Second
Lake Trout - 2
Lake Trout
Below: Saturday in Minimum length or 2
Salmon or
April through
of 18 inches 1
of each
October 31
Salmon
-
Minimum length
of
17 inches
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and
the connecting waters), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and Newport, excluding
all waters of the Clyde River Watershed upstream of the hydroelectric dam that
creates West Charleston Pond (Lubber Lake) in West Charleston and excluding
Willoughby Lake and all waters that flow into it.
10.5.8 SPECIAL ICE FISHING
PROVISIONS FOR BROOK, BROWN,
RAINBOW, LAKE TROUT, SALMON
AND BASS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Listed Ice
Fishing Third Saturday See species
See species
below: in January
restriction restriction
through March for
individual for individual
15 body
of water body of water
Big Averill Lake, Norton and Averill;
Big Salem Lake, Derby;
Caspian Lake, Greensboro;
Chittenden Dam, Chittenden;
Crystal Lake, Barton;
Echo Lake, Charleston;
Echo Lake, Plymouth;
Eden Lake, Eden;
Elligo Lake, Craftsbury and Greensboro;
Glen Lake, Castleton, Fair Haven, and Benson;
Harriman Reservoir, Whitingham and
Wilmington;
Harveys Lake,
Barnet;
Island Pond, Brighton;
Joes Pond, Cabot, Danville;
Lake Bomoseen, Castleton and Hubbardton;
Lake Dunmore, Leicester, and Salisbury;
Lake Fairlee, Thetford, West Fairlee,
Fairlee;
Lake Hortonia, Sudbury, Hubbardton;
Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay and
the connecting waters), Coventry,
Derby, Newport City and Newport;
Lake Morey, Fairlee;
Lake Rescue, Ludlow;
Lake St. Catherine, Wells, Poultney;
Little Averill Lake, Averill;
Little Salem Lake, Derby;
Maidstone Lake, Maidstone;
Marshfield Dam (Mollys Falls Reservoir),
Cabot;
Miles Pond, Concord;
Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and
Woodbury;
Newark Pond, Newark;
Norton Pond, Norton;
Parker Pond, Glover;
Peacham Pond, Peachman;
Pensioner Pond, Charleston;
Seymour Lake, Morgan;
Shadow Lake, Glover;
Somerset Reservoir, Somerset;
Sunset Lake, Benson;
Wallace Pond, Canaan;
Waterbury Reservoir, Waterbury;
Willoughby Lake, Westmore;
Woodbury Lake, (Sabin Pond), Calais and
Woodbury
10.5.9 SPECIAL REGULATION
TROUTSTREAMS
1.
Waters 2. Method 3.
Season 4. Size
5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Lamoille Angling,
with Second Minimum length 2 trout
River
- artificial Saturday
in of 16 inches.
From
the lures
and April through
downstream flies
only. October
31.
edge
of the
railroad
bridge in
Johnson
upstream
(approximately
3.7 miles)
to
the
downstream
edge
of the
Ten
Bends
Drive
bridge
in
Hyde Park.
White Angling,
with Second Minimum
length 1
trout
River - artificial Saturday
in of
18 inches
From
the lures
and April through
confluence flies
only. October
31.
with
Lilliesville
Brook
in
Stockbridge
downstream
3.3
miles to
220
ft.
downstream
of
the
confluence
with
Cleveland
Brook
in
Bethel.
Mettawee Angling Second 10
to 14 2 trout, only
River
- Saturday in inches 1
greater than
From
the April through protected 14
inches
downstream October 31.
slot: (all
edge
of the
trout
10 to 14
Route
153 inches
must be
bridge
in released)
Pawlet
upstream
(approximately
16 miles) to
the
downstream
edge
of first
bridge
on
Dorset
Hollow
Road
and
including
tributary:
Flower
Brook
upstream
(approximately
1000 ft) to
the
downstream
edge
of the
Route
30
bridge
in
Pawlet.
Winooski Angling June
1 through 10 to 16 2
trout, only
River October inches
1
greater than
Tributaries
- protected 16
inches
Listed
Below slot: (all
fish
10 to 16
inches must be
released)
Winooski River Tributaries
Joiner Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 1900 feet to the
first falls.
Pinneo Brook, Bolton - From the
confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 100 feet to the
railroad crossing.
Preston Brook, Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 2600 feet to the
first falls.
Ridley Brook, Duxbury - From the
confluence of the Winooski River
upstream approximately 1700 feet to the
first falls.
Listed Angling Second 10
to 16 2 trout, only
Below: Saturday
in inches 1 greater than
April through protected 16 inches
October 31 slot:
(all
fish 10 to 16
inches must be
releases)
Dog River - From the first
bridge on Route 12 above the confluence
with the Winooski River upstream
(approximately 4.3 miles) to the railroad
bridge in West Berlin.
New Haven River - From Munger
Street Bridge in New Haven upstream
(approximately 4.1 miles) to the South
Street bridge in Bristol.
Winooski River - From Preston
Brook mouth upstream (approximately 4.4
miles) to the Ridley Brook mouth.
Batten Angling Second All
trout must Zero, all
Kill - Saturday
in be
immediately trout must be
From
the April through released. immediately
New
York October 31 released.
State
line
upstream
(approximately
20.6 miles)
to
downstream
side
of Depot
Street
Bridge
(Route
11/30)
in
Manchester.
Listed Angling Second No
size 12 trout of
below: Saturday
in restriction. which
not more
April
through than 6 can be
September 30 brown and/or
rainbow
trout
in
aggregate.
Angling October 1, All
trout must Zero, all
through be
immediately trout must be
October
31 released. immediately
released.
(East
Batten Kill Branch) - In towns of Manchester and Dorset from
the downstream side of Depot Street Bridge
(Route 11/30) in Manchester
upstream (approximately 5.0 miles) to the
downstream side of the US Route 7
Bridge south of East Dorset.
Green River - In the
towns of Arlington and Sandgate from its
confluence with Batten Kill upstream
(approximately 8.5 miles) to the
confluence with Moffitt Hollow Brook in
Beartown.
Roaring
Branch In the towns of Arlington and Sunderland from its
confluence with the Batten Kill upstream
(approximately 3.0 miles) to the
downstream side of the Bridge #14 on
Sunderland TH# 3 in East Kansas.
Warm
Brook - In the town of Arlington from its Confluence with the
Roaring Branch upstream (approximately 0.8
miles) to the base of the
so-called Hale Company Dam in East
Arlington.
10.5.10 ANADROMOUS ATLANTIC SALMON
1.
Waters 2. Method
3. Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Connecticut No
person No open season All
fish must Zero
- All
River
and shall
take or be
immediately Anadromous
tributaries attempt
to released
Atlantic
take
an salmon
must be
anadromous immediately
Atlantic released
salmon,
any
salmon
unintentionally
taken shall
be
immediately
released
in
accordance
with
section
4602
10.5.11 AMERICAN SHAD
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size
5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
Connecticut Angling
No closed All
shad must Zero - All
River, season be released. shad must be
including
immediately
Vermont
river
released.
tributaries
10.5.12 CARP, BOWFIN, SUCKERS,
MULLET (REDHORSE), GAR
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
closed No restriction No
limit
Waters fishing
and season
(Except bow
with line
seasonally attached
to an
closed
waters arrow
and
as listed
below)
Lake Angling,
ice No closed
No restriction No limit
Champlain, fishing
and season
not
to bow with line
include attached
to
tributaries arrow
Lake Spearing March
25 No restriction No
limit
Champlain, through May
not
to 25, Title 10
include VSA 4606(e)
tributaries
10.5.13 NORTHERN PIKE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
closed Minimum length 5 Fish
Waters fishing season of
20 inches
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Champlain Angling, ice No closed Minimum length
5 Fish
fishing season of
20 inches
Shooting
and March 25
Minimum length
5 Fish
spearing through
May of
20 inches
25, 10 VSA
4606(e)
10.5.14 CHAIN AND REDFIN
PICKEREL
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limits
General Angling,
ice No
closed No restriction No
Limit
Waters fishing season
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Champlain Angling, ice No closed No restriction 10
fish
fishing season
Shooting
and March
25 No restriction 10
Fish
spearing through
May 25
10.5.15 MUSKELLUNGE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limits
General Angling,
ice No
closed All Zero - All
Waters fishing;
Catch season muskellunge muskellunge
(except
as and
release must be must
be
listed
below) with released immediately
artificial released
lures
and
flies
only
Lake
Champlain Angling, ice No closed All Zero
- All
fishing;
Catch season muskellunge muskellunge
and
release must be must be
with released immediately
artificial released
lures
and
flies
only
Shooting
and March
25 Zero Fish
spearing through
May
25, 10 VSA
4606(e)
Missisquoi Any
fish taken No open season Any
fish taken Zero - All
River
from must
be must be
muskellunge
Swanton
Dam immediately immediately
taken must be
in
the released released
immediately
Village
of
released
Swanton
upstream
to
the
Highgate
Falls
Dam
10.5.16 SMELT
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
All
waters Angling, ice No closed No restriction No
limit
fishing season
10.5.17 BLACK AND WHITE
CRAPPIE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limits
All
Waters Angling, ice No closed Minimum length 25
fish,
fishing season of
8 inches Combined
10.5.18 YELLOW PERCH
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limits
General Angling,
ice No
closed No restriction 50 fish
Waters fishing season
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Champlain Angling, ice No
closed No restriction No Limit
fishing season
Businesses
may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to
rules of the Board. Fish species are restricted to species not protected by 10
V.S.A. § 4611.
10.5.19 LARGEMOUTH AND
SMALLMOUTH BASS
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5.
Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling No
closed No restriction 5
fish
Waters season
(except
as
listed
below)
Lakes,
Ponds Angling
(Ice Second Minimum
length 5
Fish
and
reservoirs Saturday in of
10 inches
fishing see June through
special Nov.
30th.
provisions)
Lakes,
Ponds Angling:
Catch Second All bass must Zero -
All
and and
release Saturday in be released bass
must be
reservoirs with April
through immediately
(seasonally artificial the
Friday released
closed) lures
and before the
flies
only Second
Saturday in
June, both
dates
inclusive.
Lakes,
Ponds Angling:
Catch Dec.
1 through All bass must Zero - All
and and
release the Friday be released bass
must be
reservoirs with before
the immediately
(not artificial Second released
seasonally lures
and Saturday in
closed) flies
only June, both
dates
inclusive.
Seasonally, Angling Only
when such No restrictions 5
fish
Closed
Waters rivers and
-
streams streams are
open to trout
fishing except
as prohibited
by Section 9.2
Lake
Morey, Angling (Ice Second Largemouth 5
Fish
Fairlee fishing
- see
Saturday in bass
- Minimum
special June
through length of 14
provisions)
Nov. 30 inches
Lake
Morey, Angling Catch Dec. 1 through All
bass must Zero - All
Fairlee and
release Friday before be released
bass must be
with the
Second immediately
artificial Saturday
in released.
lures and June,
both
flies
only dates
inclusive.
Kent
Pond, Angling Second Largemouth 10
fish, only
Killington Saturday in Bass: 1
fish greater
and
Baker June through protected than 12
inches. Nov.
30 slot: 10-12
Pond, inches
(all
Brookfield fish
between
10
& 12 inches
must
be
released)
Kent
Pond, Angling: Catch Dec. 1 through All
bass must Zero - All
Killington and
release Friday before be released bass
must be
and
Baker with the Second immediately
Pond, artificial Saturday
in released
Brookfield lures
and June, both
flies
only dates
inclusive.
10.5.20 WALLEYE
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3. Season 4.
Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice First
Saturday Minimum length
3 Fish
Waters
and fishing in
May through of 18 inches
Lake March 15
Champlain
(except
as
listed
below)
Lake
Carmi, Angling, ice First Saturday Minimum
length 5 fish,
Franklin fishing in
May through of 15 inches
provided only
March 15 Protected 1
is over 19
lengths
- 17 inches
to
19 inches
(all fish
between
17 &
19
inches must
be
released)
Chittenden Angling,
ice June
1 through Minimum length
2 fish
Reservoir, fishing March
15 of 22 inches
Chittenden
10.5.21 SAUGER
1.
Waters 2. Methods 3.
Season 4. Size 5. Daily Bag
Restrictions Limit
General Angling,
ice No
open season Any fish taken
Zero - All
Waters
and fishing must
be Sauger taken
Lake immediately must
be
Champlain released. immediately
released.
Spawning grounds for game fish - Generally
10.6 The below listed waters are declared
spawning grounds for game fish and are hereby closed to the taking of fish from
second Saturday in April through May 31 annually.
Chittenden County
Joiner Brook,
Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately 1,900
feet to the first falls.
Pinneo Brook,
Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately 100
feet to the railroad crossing.
Preston Brook,
Bolton - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately 2,600
feet to the first falls.
Orleans County
Black River -
From 600 feet below the falls at Old Harman Mill in Coventry upstream to the top of falls at Old
Harman Mill in Coventry.
Ware Brook -
From the downstream edge of the furthest
downstream bridge/culvert on Back Coventry Road (TH #8 in Irasburg)
upstream approximately one mile to top of the first major natural falls on Ware Brook.
Alder (Stony)
Brook - From its confluence with the Black River upstream 3 1/2 miles to the
outlet of Sargent Pond, in Coventry.
Willoughby River
- From the confluence of the Brownington Branch of the Willoughby River in
Brownington upstream to the downstream edge of the bridge on Vermont Route 58
in the village of Evansville (Brownington); and from the downstream edge of
bridge on the Tarbox Hill Road in Orleans Village upstream to the top of the
natural falls upstream of the bridge on Tarbox Hill Road in Orleans Village.
Dorin, Wells,
Myers, Schoolhouse and Mill Brooks - From mouth of brooks at Lake Willoughby
upstream approximately 3/4 mile in Dorin Brook, all of Wells Brook, 1/2 mile in
Myers Brook, 1/4 mile in the Schoolhouse Brook and 1/4 mile in Mill Brook and
tributaries, all in Westmore. For identification purpose these brooks are arranged
in order from north to south, and flow through Vermont Agency of Transportation
structures on Route 5A number 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6, respectively.
Brownington
Branch of the Willoughby River in Brownington - From its confluence at the
Willoughby River extending upstream to the second road crossing on Brownington
Chilafoux Road (TH #15). Said crossing is located approximately 2.4 miles from
Brownington Center on Chilafoux Road (TH #15).
Country Club
Brook - From its confluence with the Willoughby River extending upstream to
Hollow Road (TH #14) in Barton.
Porter Brook,
Greensboro - From Caspian Lake upstream to its headwaters. (1987, Fish and
Wildlife Commissioner's Reg. No. 970, eff. April 1, 1987.)
Johns River -
From the downstream edge of the bridge on Beebe Road (TH #3) upstream
approximately two tenths of a mile to the downstream edge of bridge on Elm
Street (TH #2) in Derby.
Outlet Brook -
From the highway bridge near Echo Lake in Charleston upstream to the top of dam
at outlet of Seymour Lake.
Washington County
Chase Brook -
From its confluence with the Dog River upstream approximately 1/2 mile to the
top of the natural falls in Berlin.
Ridley Brook,
Duxbury - From the confluence of the Winooski River upstream approximately
1,700 feet to the first falls.
Windsor County
Lilliesville
Brook in the Town of Stockbridge from its
confluence with the White River upstream to the 2nd bridge on the Lilliesville
Brook Road.
Locust Creek
in Bethel from its confluence with the White River upstream to the 2nd bridge
on Rt. 12.
10.7 The below named waters are closed
from March 16 through May 31:
Chittenden
County
Lamoille River -
From the downstream edge of the bridge on Bear Trap Road in Milton (referred to
as the West Milton Bridge upstream to the top of first dam (Peterson Dam)) in
Milton.
Winooski River
-From the Winooski One Hydro dam west of Main Street (US 7) in Winooski and Burlington and extending
downstream to the downstream side of the first railroad bridge.
Franklin County
Missisquoi River
- From the top of the Swanton dam in the Village of Swanton downstream
approximately 850 feet to the water treatment plant on the west side of the
river, and downstream approximately 850 feet to the upstream end of the cement
breakwater on the east side of the river. (1988, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg.
No. 975, eff. April 7, 1988.)
10.8 The below named waters are closed
from March 16 to the Friday before the 1st Saturday in May, both dates inclusive:
Franklin County
Missisquoi
River - From the top of the Swanton Dam in the Village of Swanton extending
downstream 5,120 feet to the Northwest corner (downstream) of the Riverside
Cemetery and across the river to a pole on the Northeast bank.
10.9 The below named waters are closed
from second Saturday in April through May 10:
Orleans County
Clyde River -
From the downstream edge of the bridge on Lower Clyde Street in Newport City
upstream to the top of the abandoned Mill Dam immediately upstream of the Number
1,2,3 hydroelectric powerhouse, in Newport City.
10.10 The below named waters are closed
from October 1 through October 31:
Orleans County
Johns River -
From the downstream edge of the first bridge (culvert) upstream of Lake
Memphremagog on North Derby Road (TH #6)
upstream to U.S. 5, in Derby. (Added 1961, No. 119, § 2, eff. May 9, 1961;
amended 1963, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Aug. 23, 1963; 1966, Fish
and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1967; 1968, Fish and Game Board Reg.
No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1969; 1971, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 840, eff. March
19, 1971; 1971, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. June 21, 1971; 1973, Fish
and Game Board Reg. No. 866, eff. Jan. 20, 1973; 1974, Fish and Game Board Reg.
No. 892, eff. Dec. 26, 1974; 1975, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 895, eff. Jan.
1, 1976; 1976, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 899, eff. Jan. 1, 1977; 1977, Fish
and Game Board Reg. No. 904, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; 1977, No. 245 (Adj.
Sess.), § 1, eff. Apr. 17, 1978; 1978, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 906, eff.
Oct. 21, 1978; 1979, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 913, eff. Nov. 21, 1979;
1980, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 915, eff. June 30, 1980; 1980, Fish and Game
Board Reg. No. 926, §§ 1-7, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg.
No. 936, §§ 1, 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 942,
eff. June 9, 1983; 1983, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 946, eff. Oct. 17, 1983;
1984, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 950, eff. Sept. 17, 1984; 1984, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 951, eff. Sept. 17, 1984; 1985, No. 953, eff. Jan. 1,
1985; 1985, No. 49; 1986, No. 962, eff. June 6, 1986; 1987, Fish and Wildlife
Board Reg. No. 971, eff. Sept. 17, 1987; 1990, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No.
980, eff. Feb. 23, 1990; 1991, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 982, eff. Jan.
5, 1991; 1991, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 990, eff. Sept. 1991; 1993,
Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 998, eff. March 23, 1993; 1995, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Jan. 2, 1996; 1997, Fish and Wildlife Board
Reg. No. 1003, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; 1999, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003,
eff. March 13, 1999; 2000 Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Oct. 7,
2000; 2003, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. Dec. 6, 2002; 2004,
Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. June 4, 2004; 2005, Fish and
Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. July 21, 2005; 2005A, Fish and Wildlife
Board Reg. No. 1003, eff. March 31, 2006; 2007, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg.
No. 1003, eff. Sept. 1, 2006; 2008, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. No. 1003, eff.
January 1, 2009; 2010 Fish and Wildlife Reg. effective January 1, 2011; 2013
Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. January 1, 2014; 2015 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff.
January 1, 2016.)
