Fishing in Vermont: License, Top Spots & Regulations (2026)

Vermont is a small state with outsized fishing. Lake Champlain anchors the western border with world-class bass, walleye, and landlocked salmon fishing on a body of water so big it feels like the ocean. The Green Mountains send cold, clean streams cascading through forested valleys where native brook trout still thrive in waters they have occupied for thousands of years. Hidden ponds scattered across the state hold fish that see pressure maybe a handful of times per year. Vermont does not have the acreage of a western state, but what it has is quality - clean water, healthy fish populations, and scenery that makes every trip memorable.

Fishing License in Vermont

Anyone 15 or older needs a fishing license to fish in Vermont. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department sells licenses online, at town clerk offices, and at sporting goods stores throughout the state.

License Type	Cost	Valid For
Resident Annual	$28	1 year
Non-Resident Annual	$54	1 year
1-Day (Non-Resident)	$14	1 day
3-Day (Non-Resident)	$23	3 days
Youth (Under 15)	Free	N/A
Senior (70+ Resident)	Free	Lifetime
Lake Champlain Only (Non-Res)	$38	1 year

Age exemptions: Children under 15 fish free in Vermont. Residents 70 and older get a free lifetime license. Active-duty military with Vermont residency qualify for discounted licenses.

Special permits: No separate trout stamp is required in Vermont. Your standard license covers all species. A separate Lake Champlain-only license is available for non-residents who only plan to fish the big lake.

Buy your license or check current fees on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.

Top 10 Fishing Spots in Vermont

From the massive waters of Lake Champlain to tiny mountain brook trout streams, these are the best spots to fish in the Green Mountain State.

1. Lake Champlain

Natural Lake

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Landlocked Salmon, Lake Trout, Northern Pike

The sixth-largest freshwater lake in the United States and one of the best multi-species fisheries in the Northeast. Bass fishing in the Inland Sea and Missisquoi Bay is outstanding - largemouth in the weedy bays, smallmouth along the rocky points and reefs. Walleye fishing in the Ticonderoga area peaks in spring. Landlocked salmon trolling in the main lake from April through June produces fish over 6 pounds regularly.

2. Lake Memphremagog

Natural Lake

Landlocked Salmon, Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Brown Trout

A deep, cold lake straddling the Vermont-Quebec border with excellent salmonid fishing. Trolling for landlocked salmon and lake trout in 40-60 feet of water is the primary method. The South Bay section in Newport has good access and holds walleye and bass. Brown trout fishing near the Barton River inlet picks up in fall when fish stage for their spawning run.

3. Battenkill River

River

Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

One of the most famous trout streams in the eastern United States. The Battenkill flows through pastoral farmland in southwestern Vermont with clear water and wild trout. This is predominantly a fly fishing river - dry fly fishing with small mayfly and caddis patterns is the tradition. Fish are not huge (10-14 inches is average) but they are wild and the setting is as beautiful as trout fishing gets.

4. Harriman Reservoir

Reservoir

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Walleye

Southern Vermont's biggest lake at 2,000+ acres with clean, deep water. Smallmouth bass fishing along the rocky shorelines is excellent from May through September. Walleye have been stocked successfully and the fishery is growing. Kayak fishing is popular because motor restrictions keep the lake quiet. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest provides a stunning backdrop.

5. Lake Willoughby

Natural Lake

Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Perch

A deep glacial lake in the Northeast Kingdom that looks like a Norwegian fjord. Willoughby is one of the deepest lakes in New England and holds excellent lake trout and rainbow trout. Trolling with lead-core line or downriggers is the go-to method. Ice fishing for lake trout in January is outstanding. The sheer cliffs of Mount Pisgah rising from the lake make this one of the most scenic fishing spots in the state.

6. Dog River

Stream

Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

A productive central Vermont stream that runs through Montpelier and offers surprisingly good trout fishing close to the capital. The upper reaches hold native brook trout in small pools and pocket water. The lower section has brown and rainbow trout. Easy access from Route 2 makes this a great option for a quick after-work session. Small nymphs and spinners work best.

7. Otter Creek

River

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye

The longest river in Vermont flows through the Champlain Valley and offers outstanding warm-water fishing. The lower section near Vergennes holds big northern pike in the weedy backwaters. Smallmouth bass along the gravel runs provide consistent action from June through September. Canoe and kayak access is excellent with multiple launch points.

8. Somerset Reservoir

Reservoir

Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch

A remote reservoir in the Green Mountain National Forest that requires a dirt road to reach. The relative inaccessibility keeps pressure low and the fishing quality high. Brook trout in the 12-14 inch range are common along the shoreline. Lake trout hold in the deeper water near the dam. Great for canoe or kayak fishing - no big marinas or developed launches.

9. Lamoille River

River

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass

A major northern Vermont river with excellent brown trout fishing in the upper reaches and good smallmouth bass action in the lower sections. The stretch through Johnson and Morrisville is prime brown trout water - fish streamers and nymphs along the undercut banks. Fall fishing before the spawning season produces the biggest browns of the year.

10. Island Pond

Natural Lake

Landlocked Salmon, Lake Trout, Perch, Smallmouth Bass

A Northeast Kingdom gem with a small island in the middle that gives the town its name. Trolling for landlocked salmon near the island and the deep basin produces consistent fish from spring through fall. Ice fishing for perch and lake trout draws a crowd in winter. The surrounding area is quintessential Vermont - quiet, wooded, and uncrowded.

Get Your Free Fish ID Cheat Sheet

Never wonder "what did I just catch?" again. Laminate it and bring it on the boat.

Download Free Guide

Popular Fish Species in Vermont

Vermont supports a strong mix of cold-water and warm-water species. Here are the most popular targets and what you need to know.

Species	Season	Size Limit	Bag Limit	Best Technique
Brook Trout	2nd Sat Apr - Oct 31	6"	12/day	Dry flies, small spinners, worms
Landlocked Salmon	2nd Sat Apr - Oct 31	15"	2/day	Trolling, fly fishing, streamer flies
Largemouth Bass	2nd Sat Jun - Nov 30	10"	5/day	Plastic worms, topwater, spinnerbaits
Walleye	1st Sat May - Mar 15	15"	3/day	Jig and minnow, trolling crankbaits
Lake Trout	2nd Sat Apr - Oct 31	18"	2/day	Trolling, jigging, dead bait
Northern Pike	Year-round	20"	5/day	Spoons, large swimbaits, live bait
Brown Trout	2nd Sat Apr - Oct 31	12"	6/day	Nymphs, streamers, Rapalas
Perch	Year-round	None	50/day	Small jigs, minnows, ice fishing

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Vermont has distinct seasons that drive fish behavior. Spring opener brings excitement, summer is prime time, and ice fishing extends the season through winter.

Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Brook Trout	-	-	-	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Peak	Good	-	-
Landlocked Salmon	-	-	-	Peak	Peak	Good	-	-	Good	Peak	-	-
Largemouth Bass	-	-	-	-	-	Peak	Peak	Good	Peak	Good	-	-
Walleye	Good	Good	Good	-	Peak	Peak	Good	-	Good	Peak	Good	Good
Lake Trout	Good	Good	-	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	-	Good
Perch	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	-	-	-	Good	Good	Good	Peak

Fishing Regulations in Vermont

Vermont Fish and Wildlife manages regulations with specific seasons for trout and salmon. Here are the key rules.

Trout season: The general trout and salmon season runs from the second Saturday of April through October 31. Some waters have extended or year-round seasons - check the regulations guide.
Bass season: Largemouth and smallmouth bass season opens the second Saturday of June. Catch-and-release bass fishing is allowed year-round on Lake Champlain.
Rod limit: Anglers may use 2 lines when fishing from a boat and 1 line when fishing from shore (except when ice fishing, where 2 lines are allowed).
Live bait: Live bait is legal in most waters. However, some streams are restricted to artificial lures only. Using live fish as bait requires fish from the same body of water.
Lead ban: Vermont prohibits the use of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs weighing 1 ounce or less. Use tin, bismuth, or other non-toxic alternatives.
Free fishing day: Vermont hosts a free fishing day each June when anyone can fish without a license.

Download the current regulations from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife regulations page.

Tips for Fishing in Vermont

Hit the opener hard

Vermont's trout season opens the second Saturday of April, and it is a big deal. Stocked trout are fresh in the streams and eager to bite. PowerBait, worms, and small spinners all produce on opening weekend. The best action comes in the first two weeks before the initial stocking pressure wears off. After that, switch to more natural presentations.

Explore the Northeast Kingdom

The Northeast Kingdom in Vermont's far northeast corner has some of the best and least-pressured fishing in the state. Remote ponds like Averill, Maidstone, and Seymour Lake hold landlocked salmon, lake trout, and brook trout with minimal competition from other anglers. The drive is worth it for the solitude alone.

Fish Lake Champlain from shore

You do not need a boat to catch fish on Lake Champlain. The causeways, fishing piers, and rocky breakwalls around Burlington, Colchester, and Shelburne offer excellent shore fishing for bass, perch, and pike. Cast spinnerbaits along the Colchester causeway in June for some of the best smallmouth action on the lake.

Chase fall browns

Brown trout in Vermont's rivers and streams get aggressive in September and October as they prepare to spawn. Big streamers fished on sinking lines in the Lamoille, Winooski, and White Rivers produce the biggest browns of the year. Fish low-light conditions - early morning and overcast days are best.

Ice fishing is a Vermont tradition

When lakes freeze in December, Vermont's ice fishing season kicks off. Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, and dozens of smaller ponds offer excellent perch, pike, and lake trout through the ice. The annual ice fishing derby on Lake Champlain draws thousands. Bring a warm shelter - Vermont ice is cold and windy.

Also Fish In...

Massachusetts New Hampshire New York

Free Fishing Guides

Download these free guides and take them on your next trip. No fluff - just the stuff you actually need on the water.

🐟

Fish ID Cheat Sheet

Laminate it. Bring it on the boat.

📅

Monthly Bite Calendar

Know what's biting before you leave the house.

🪢

Knot Guide

8 knots every fisherman needs. Step-by-step.

✅

Packing Checklist

Never forget your pliers again.

🗺️

Secret Spots Map

10 spots the locals don't talk about.