Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Vermont
State, United States. Authority : Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$264Nonresident 5-Year Fishing
- Calendar lines open on
- 223 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 50.8 cmNorthern pike
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearDigital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Northern pike 50.8 cm here.
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Assorted Wobbling Spoons in a BoxFor : brown trout, rainbow trout, european perch · spoon and spinner fishing
€32.90£17.90Not shipped to the United States
Finesse Soft Lures 12 cm, Pack of 15For : zander, walleye, european perch · soft plastic lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
some waters open year-round (see Year-Round Trout Fishing page)
also open Jan. 1 - March 15
catch-and-release with artificial lures/flies allowed outside harvest season
catch-and-release only (limit 0)
no open season
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass2 statewide | 25.4 cm | |
| Walleye2 statewide | 45.7 cm | |
| Northern pike2 statewide | 50.8 cm |
To check the minimum size: Northern pike 50.8 cm here. Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth + smallmouth)2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Walleye2 statewide | 3 per day |
| Northern pike2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Muskellunge2 catch-and-release only | 0 per day |
| Trout (brook+brown+rainbow) - streams2 statewide, no minimum length | 8 per day |
| Trout (brook+brown+rainbow) - lakes & ponds2 statewide, no minimum length | 6 per day |
| Lake trout3 2026 change: reduced to 1 per day, 24 in minimum (press release) | 1 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License1 | annual (calendar year) | US$28 |
| Resident Annual Fishing1 | annual | US$28 |
| Resident 3-Day Fishing1 | 3-day | US$11 |
| Resident 5-Year Fishing1 | 5-year | US$134 |
| Resident Youth Fishing, ages 15-171 | annual | US$8 |
| Resident Permanent Fishing, age 66+1 | lifetime | US$60 |
| Resident Combination Fishing & Hunting1 | annual | US$47 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing1 | annual | US$54 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fishing1 | 1-day | US$21 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Fishing1 | 3-day | US$23 |
| Nonresident 7-Day Fishing1 | 7-day | US$31 |
| Nonresident 5-Year Fishing1 | 5-year | US$264 |
| Nonresident Youth Fishing, ages 15-171 | annual | US$15 |
| Nonresident Combination Fishing & Hunting1 | annual | US$143 |
Buy the licence on vtfwdsales.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- No fishing license is needed under age 15. Residents 66+ may buy a permanent fishing license ($60).
Good to know
Bass harvest season from 2nd Saturday in June, with catch-and-release outside it; muskellunge catch-and-release only; sauger closed. Lake Champlain has its own table (Table 2).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- fee page has no year label (current fees as of 2026-09-23)
- no resident 1-day or resident 7-day license listed
- eRegulations Table 1 page last updated 2025-12-16; lake trout row there (18 in, 2 combined with salmon) predates the 2026 change (1/day, 24 in)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Black River — Trophy Trout section river, Weathersfield View on the map
- Deerfield River — Trophy Trout section river, Searsburg
Brook trout View on the map - East Creek — Trophy Trout section river, Rutland
Rainbow trout View on the map - Lamoille River — Trophy Trout section river, Fairfax View on the map
- Otter Creek — Trophy Trout section river, Danby View on the map
- Missisquoi River — Trophy Trout section river, Enosburg Falls View on the map
- Passumpsic River — Trophy Trout section river, St. Johnsbury View on the map
- Walloomsac River — Trophy Trout section river, Bennington View on the map
- Winooski River — Trophy Trout section river, Waterbury View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Vermont in 2026?
The “Nonresident 5-Year Fishing” licence costs US$264 (5-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for northern pike in Vermont?
Northern pike: 50.8 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Vermont ANR License Information (fees) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Vermont Fishing Table 1: General Fishing Regulations (official lawbook on eRegulations) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Vermont 2026 Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Lawbooks Are Available (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- VT F&W License Center (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/vermont/fishing
Last checked : 23 September 2026.