10A V.S.A. § 122
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 10 Appendix - Conservation and Development|Chapter 2 - Fish|App § 122. Fish Management Regulation

§ 122. Fish Management Regulation|1.0 AuthorityThis 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 furbearing 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 PurposeIt is the policy of the State that the protection, propagation control, management and conservation of fish, wildlife, and furbearing 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 Open-Water Fishing, legal methods of taking fish3.1 Definitions  3.1.1 Department -  Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. 3.1.2 Commissioner -  Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. 3.1.3 Open-water fishing -  Fishing by means of hook and line in hand or attached to a rod or other device in open water. Fishing by casting or trolling baited hooks, artificial flies or lures is considered open-water fishing. 3.1.4 Baited Hook -  A single shank hook with 1, 2, or 3 points which may be baited with natural or artificial bait or both. 3.1.5 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. 3.1.6 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. 3.1.7 Handheld Spear -  A manually powered spear used from above the water's surface. 3.1.8 Speargun -  A pneumatic or rubber band powered device, with a line not to exceed 20 feet attached to a spear, used from below the water's surface. 3.1.9 Cull Fish -  Carp, tench, rudd, shad (alewife and gizzard shad), and goldfish. Additional invasive/exotic fish species may be designated by the Commissioner as "cull fish." 3.1.10 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. 3.1.11 Snagging -  Snagging shall mean the intentional hooking of a fish in a place other than the inside of the fish's mouth. No person shall pull, jerk or otherwise purposefully and/or repeatedly manipulate a hook, or hooks and line to snag or hook a fish in any method other than to entice a fish into taking, by mouth, a hook, lure or fly. Repeated and/or exaggerated jerking or pulling of the fishing line and/or hooks in any attempt to snag fish, whether it results in physically snagging a fish or not, shall be prima facie evidence that snagging has taken place. This shall not apply to the use of a gaff to land a fish that has been legally hooked.   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 open-water fishing 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.3.5 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters.4.0 Ice Fishing4.1 Definitions4.1.1 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 ice fishing shall at all times, have immediate control over all lines they operate. A person ice fishing shall be able to visually observe lines they operate. Any line that indicates a fish shall be tended with 30 minutes.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.4.6 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters.5.0 Lake Champlain BoundariesLake 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;   6.0 Clyde River: Catch and ReleaseBetween September 1 and October 31, on the Clyde River from Lake Memphremagog upstream to Charleston Dam (Lubber Lake), West Charleston, a person may fish with artificial flies and lures only, and all salmon caught must be released.7.0 Seasonally Closed Waters7.1 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 8 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    7.2 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 8 of these regulations; and  7.2.1 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 7.2.2.     7.2.2: STREAMS OPEN TO FISHING FOR TROUT ONLY FROM   NOVEMBER 1 TO THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE SECOND      WEEK IN APRIL   1. Waters2. Methods3.SeasonSize Restrictions5.Daily Bag LimitListed BelowArtificial fly or lure onlyNovember 1 to the Friday before the 2nd Saturday in April:Catch and release onlyZero-All trout must be immediately released to 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.  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. 8.0 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 the Commercial angling rules set forth in 10 V.S.A. App. 123.8.1 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.   8.1.1 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: 8.1.1.1 the person has been issued a Commercial Bait Dealers Permit by the Commissioner, 8.1.1.2 the person has been issued scientific collection permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity, 8.1.1.3 the person has been issued a fish transportation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity, 8.1.1.4 the person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish importation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity.    8.2 The daily bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed season for that fish species is zero.8.3 "General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all waters of the State, except the waters specifically named or described.8.4 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 7 of these regulations.  8.5 Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits Tables    8.5.1 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     8.5.2 BROOK, BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT 1. Waters           2. Methods         3. Season            4. Size                5. Daily Bag                                                                              Restrictions        Limit General              Open-Water       Second               No restriction     6 troutwaters.                fishing              Saturday in(except as                                   April throughlisted below)                               October 31Lake Champlain Open-water        No closed           Minimum length    3 trout                          and ice fishing   season                 of 12 inchesRivers and          Open-water        Second               No restriction     12 trout, ofStreams               fishing               Saturday in                                 which not        April through                             more                                                             October 31                                 than 6 can be                                                                                                     brown and/or                                                                                                       rainbow  8.5.3 TROPHY TROUT STREAMS 1. Waters           2. Methods         3. Season            4. Size                5. Daily Bag                                                                              Restrictions        Limit Listed Below:  Open-water     Second            No restriction  2 trout in                             fishing        Saturday in                              aggregate                                                April through                                                October 31 Black River along Rt. 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, - from Downerscovered bridge upstream (approximately 4 miles) to the next bridge across theriver, The Howard Hill Bridge. East Creek in Rutland City - From the confluence with Otter Creekupstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the top of the Patch Dam in RutlandCity. Lamoille River From the downstream edge of the bridge on Route 104 in theVillage of Fairfax upstream (approximately 1.6 miles) to the top of theFairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax. Little River - From the confluence with Winooski River in Waterburyupstream to the top of the Waterbury Reservoir Dam in Waterbury. Missisquoi River in Enosburg and Sheldon - From the downstream edge ofKane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream (approximately 5.7 miles) to the top of theEnosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls. Otter Creek in Danby and Mt. Tabor - From the Vermont Railway Bridgenorth 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 theGage Dam in St. Johnsbury upstream (approximately 2.4 miles) to the top ofthe 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/New 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 Damin Duxbury and Waterbury upstream to the Route 2 Bridge (east side ofWaterbury Village).8.5.4 RAINBOW TROUT (Including STEELHEAD) / BROWN TROUT 1. Waters      2. Methods      3. Season       4. Size                            5. Daily Bag                                                                  Restrictions                    Limit Listed       Open-water   Second         Minimum length         2 troutBelow:      fishing          Saturday in   of 10 inches                                       April through                                       October 31Lakes and Ponds      Caspian Lake, Greensboro      Echo Lake,Charleston      Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay), 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 the confluence             with Barton River in Barton upstream to the Willoughby Lake outlet  in             Westmore. 8.5.5 BROOK, BROWN, RAINBOW, LAKE TROUT AND SALMON - 2 FISH AGGREGATE LIMITS  1. Waters      2. Methods      3. Season       4. Size                  5. Daily Bag                                                                        Restrictions    LimitListed          Open-water       Second              See                  Two fish inbelow:         fishing               Saturday in        regulations     aggregate                                              April through   for specific                                              October 31        bodies of                                                                        watersBig Averill Lake, Norton and AverillCaspian Lake, GreensboroCenterPond, NewarkCrystal Lake, BartonEast Long Pond, WoodburyEcho Lake,CharlestonElligo Lake, Craftsbury and GreensboroForest Lake (NelsonPond), Calais and WoodburyHarveys Lake, BarnetJobs Pond, WestmoreLake Dunmore, SalisburyLake Memphremagog (including South Bay), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and NewportLittle Averill Lake, AverillLong Pond, WestmoreMaidstone Lake, MaidstoneMartins Pond, PeachamNelson Pond (ForestLake), Calais and WoodburyNichols Pond, WoodburySeymour Lake, MorganShadow Lake, GloverSpring Lake, ShrewsburySunset Lake, BensonWilloughby Lake, Westmore.  8.5.6 STREAMS OPEN TO YEAR ROUND TROUT FISHING 1. Waters      2. Methods      3. Season           4. Size             5. Daily Bag                                                                        Restrictions    LimitThe follow   Artificial fly    No closed           Catch and       Zero - Alling por-        or lure only,     season for           release only    trout must be   tions of         except during   catch and                                   immediatelythe speci-      the open           release only                               returned to fied rivers     season for                                                          the watersshall be         trout.                                                                  where taken,open to                                                                                    except duringfishing for                                                                               the open trout  year                                                                                season, limitsround:                                                                                      apply in(Listed                                                                                     accordancebelow)                                                                                    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 riverBlack 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 Peterson 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 Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.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.8.5.7 LAKE TROUT AND SALMON 1. Waters         2. Methods      3. Season         4. Size             5. Daily Bag                                                                        Restrictions    LimitGeneral           Open-water   Second             Salmon -          2 Lake TroutWaters (all      fishing          Saturday in         Minimum  or   2 Salmon orwaters except                       April through     length of          1 of eachas listed below)                    October 31         15 inches                                                                         Lake Trout -                                                                        Minimum                                                                        Length of                                                                        18 inchesLake                Open-water  No Closed          Lake Trout      3 Lake TroutChamplain       and ice          Season               and Salmon -   and 2 Salmon                        fishing                                     Minimum                                                                         length of                                                                         15 inchesLittle               Open-water  Angling:             Lake Trout -    1 Lake TroutAverill             fishing, with second                Minimum        and 1 salmonLake                not more       Saturday in         length ofand                  1 line           April through      20 inches         or 2 SalmonSeymour                              October 31Lake                                    Ice fishing   Ice fishing:          Salmon -                        with not       third Saturday     Minimum                         more than    in January           length of                         4 lines        through March     15 inches                                           15Clyde Pond,    Open-        Second                  Lake Trout -    2 Lake TroutPond,               water         Saturday in            Minimum         or 2 SalmonSalem Lake,                fishing       April through        length of          or 2 Salmon orLittle Salem                       August 31              18 inches         1 of eachLake, and                          Clyde Riverfrom LakeMemphremagogupstream toCitizen'sCharlestonDam (LubberLake), WestCharleston                                                                        Salmon -                                                                        Minimum                                                                        length of                                                                        17 inches                        Open-           September 1       Lake                            2 Lake Trout,                        water            through               Trout -             0 Salmon, (all                        fishing:         October 31         Minimum        salmon must be                        River from                              length of          immediately               Lake                                        18 inches         released             Memphremagog                                                                                 to Charleston                        Dam -                        Artificial                        flies and                        lures onlyLake                Open-water   Second              Lake Trout -    2 Lake TroutMemphremagog   fishing     Saturday in        Minimum        or 2 Salmon or(including                             April through     length of          1 of eachSouth Bay                            October 31         18 inches                         Ice Fishing   Third Saturday  Salmon -                                              in January          Minimum                                               through              length of                                               March 15           17 inchesListed             Open-water   Second       Lake Trout -    2 Lake TroutBelow:              fishing                 Saturday in     Minimum length  or 2 Salmon or                                           April through   of 18 inches    1 of each                                           October 31                                                                   Salmon -                                                                   Minimum length                                                                   of 17 inchesOrleans 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.  8.5.8 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    LimitListed       Ice Fishing         Third Saturday    See species      See speciesbelow:                                  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;CaspianLake, Greensboro;Chittenden Dam, Chittenden;Crystal Lake, Barton;Echo Lake, Charleston;Echo Lake, Plymouth;Eden Lake, Eden;ElligoLake, Craftsbury and Greensboro;Glen Lake, Castleton, Fair Haven, andBenson;Harriman Reservoir, Whitingham and Wilmington;Harveys Lake,Barnet;Island Pond, Brighton;Joes Pond, Cabot, Danville;LakeBomoseen, Castleton and Hubbardton;Lake Dunmore, Leicester, and Salisbury;Lake Fairlee, Thetford, West Fairlee, Fairlee;Lake Hortonia, Sudbury,Hubbardton;Lake Memphremagog (including South Bay), 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 (Molly's Falls Reservoir), Cabot;Miles Pond, Concord;Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and Woodbury;Newark Pond, NewarkNorton Pond, Norton;Parker Pond, Glover;Peacham Pond, Peacham;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 8.5.9 SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT STREAMS1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                           Restrictions                          Limit White                     Open-water           Second                   Minimum length                  1 troutRiver  -                  fishing, with         Saturday in           of 18 inchesFrom the               artificial                April throughconfluence            lures and               October 31.with                       flies only.LilliesvilleBrook inStockbridgedownstream3.3 miles to220 ft.downstream oftheconfluencewithClevelandBrook inBethel. Mettawee             Open-water           Second                   10 to 14                                 2 trout, onlyRiver -                   fishing                    Saturday in           inches                                     1 greater thanFrom the                                               April through       protected                               14 inchesdownstream                                          October 31.         slot: (alledge of the                                                                           trout 10 to 14Route 153                                                                            inches must bebridge in                                                                               released)Pawletupstream(approximately 16 miles) tothedownstreamedge of firstbridge onDorset HollowRoad andincludingtributary:Flower Brookupstream(approximately 1000 ft) tothedownstreamedge of theRoute 30bridge inPawlet.Winooski              Open-water           June 1 through     10 to 16                                 2 trout, onlyRiver                     fishing                   October 31           inches                                    1 greater thanTributaries -                                                                         protected                               16 inchesListed 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                Open-water              Second                  10 to 16                                2 trout, onlyBelow:              fishing                       Saturday in           inches                                    1 greater than                                                               April through       protected                               16 inches                                                               October 31           slot: (all                                                                                               fish 10 to 16                                                                                               inches must be                                                                                               released)  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               Open-water               Second                   All trout must                       Zero, allKill -                  fishing                       Saturday in           be immediately                     trout must beFrom the                                               April through       released.                                immediatelyNew York                                             October 31                                                           released.State lineupstream(approximately 20.6 miles)to downstreamside of DepotStreet Bridge(Route 11/30)in Manchester.Dog River         Open-water              Second                   All trout must                       Zero, all- From               fishing with              Saturday in           be immediately                    trout must bethe                     artificial                    April through       released                                 immediatelydownstream      lures and                   October 31                                                           released.edge of the        flies only forJunction Road   anglers 15Bridge in           years of ageBerlin/              or olderMontpelierupstream tothe top oftheNorthfieldFalls Dam inNorthfield Listed               Open-water               Second                   No size                                   12 trout ofbelow:               fishing                        Saturday in           restriction.                            which not                                                                April through                                                      more than 6                                                                September 30                                                      can be                                                                                                                                                brown and/or                                                                                                                                               rainbow trout                                                                                                                                               in aggregate.                           Open-water              October 1,             All trout must                       Zero, all                           fishing                       through                 be immediately                    trout must be                                                               October 31           released.                                immediately                                                                                                                                                released. Batten Kill (East 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. 8.5.10 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 - AllRiver and              shall take or                                                        be immediately    Anadromoustributaries             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 8.5.11 AMERICAN SHAD 1. Waters                              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                                           Restrictions          LimitConnecticut                          Open-water         No closed             All shad                 Zero - AllRiver,                                  fishing                    season                    must be                  shall must beIncluding                                                                                               released                 immediatelyVermont river                                                                                                                       releasedtributaries 8.5.12 BOWFIN, REDHORSE SUCKER (MULLET),LONGNOSE GAR 1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                           Restrictions          Limit General                 Open-water and    No closed            No restriction       No more than 5Waters (and          ice fishing              season                                                  of any oneas listed                                                                                                                 speciesbelow)General                 Speargun, bow      No closed             No restriction      No more than 5Waters                  and crossbow        season                                                 of any one(Except                 all with line                                                                          speciesseasonally             attached toclosed waters        arrowand as listedbelowLake                      Open-water and  No closed             No restriction       No more than 5Champlain,           ice fishing,            season                                                   fish of anynot to                     speargun, bow                                                                      one speciesinclude                   and crossbowtributaries             all with line                                attached to                                arrowLake                      Shooting and        March 25              No restriction        No more than 5Champlain,           Handheld Spear  through May                                       of any onenot to                                                     25, Title 10                                          speciesinclude                                                  4606(e)tributaries 8.5.13 SUCKER (LONGNOSE AND WHITE), and CULL FISH 1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                           Restrictions          Limit General                 Open-water and  No closed               No restriction       No LimitWaters (and           ice fishing          seasonas listedbelow)General                 Speargun, bow   No Closed              No restriction       No LimitWaters                  and crossbow     Season(Except                 all with lineseasonally             attached toclosed waters        arrowand as listedbelow)Lake                      Open-water and  No closed               No restriction       No LimitChamplain,           ice fishing,          seasonnot to                     speargun, bowinclude                  and crossbowtributaries             all with line                               attached to                               arrowLake                      Shooting and    March 25                  No restriction       No LimitChamplain,           Handheld         through Maynot to                      Spear                25, Title 10include                                           4606(e)tributaries 8.5.14 BULLHEAD 1. Waters               2. Methods      3. Season                  4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                                Restrictions          LimitGeneral                 Open-water      No closed                  No restriction       No LimitWaters (and          and ice             seasonas listed                  fishingbelow)Lake                      Open-water      No closed                  No restriction       No LimitChamplain,           and ice              seasonnot to                      fishingincludetributariesLake                      Shooting and    March 25                  No restriction       No LimitChamplain,           Handheld          through Maynot to                      Spear                 25, Title 10include                                             4606(e)tributaries 8.5.15 NORTHERN PIKE 1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                           Restrictions          Limit General                 Open-water           No closed             Minimum length  5 FishWaters                  and ice                   season                   of 20 inches(except as              fishinglisted below)Lake Champlain Open-water           No closed             Minimum length  5 Fish                               and ice                   season                   of 20 inches                                fishing                               Shooting and        March 25              Minimum length  5 Fish                               handheld               through May        of 20 inches                               spearing                25, 10 VSA         4606          8.5.16 CHAIN AND REDFIN PICKEREL 1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions           LimitsGeneral                 Open-water and  No closed             No restriction       No LimitWaters                   ice fishing            season(except aslisted below)Lake Champlain Open-water and  No closed               No restriction       10 fish                               ice fishing             season                               Shooting and        March 25              No restriction       10 Fish                               handheld               through May 25                               spearing 8.5.17 MUSKELLUNGE 1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          LimitsGeneral                 Open-water and  No closed             All                          Zero – All              Waters                  ice fishing;            season                   muskellunge         muskellunge(except as              Catch and                                            must be                 must belisted below)          release with                                         released                 immediately                                artificial                                                                                released                               lures and                               flies onlyLake Champlain Open-water and  No closed             All                          Zero - All                               ice fishing;            season                   muskellunge         muskellunge                               Catch and                                            must be                 must be                               release with                                          released                 immediately                               artificial                                                                                released                               lures and                               flies only                               Shooting and         March 25                                             Zero Fish                               handheld               through May                               spearing                25, 10 VSA                                                               4606(e)8.5.18 SMELT1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          LimitsAll waters             Open-water           No closed             No restriction       No limit                               and ice                   season                               fishing  8.5.19 BLACK AND WHITE CRAPPIE1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          LimitsAll waters             Open-water and  No closed             Minimum length  25 fish,                               ice fishing             season                   of 8 inches            Combined  8.5.20 YELLOW PERCH1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          LimitsGeneral                 Open-water and  No closed             No restriction       50 fishWaters                  ice fishing             season(except aslistedbelow)Lake Champlain Open-water and     No closed             No restriction       No Limit                               ice fishing             season Businesses may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of the Commissioner, pursuant to the Commercial angling rule set for in 10 V.S.A. APP § 123 8.5.21 YELLOW PERCH1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          LimitsGeneral                 Open-water          No closed             No restriction       5 fishWaters                  fishing                   season(except aslisted below)Lakes, Ponds        Open-water          Second                  Minimum length  5 Fishand reservoirs       fishing                    Saturday in            of 10 inches                                       (Ice                         June through                                     fishing - see          through                               special                   Nov. 30th.                               provisions)Lakes, Ponds        Open-water          Second                  All bass must         Zero - Alland                        fishing: Catch       Saturday in            be released            bass must bereservoirs              and release            April through                                      immediately(seasonally            with                       the Friday                                             releasedclosed)                  artificial                before the                               lures and               Second                               flies only               Saturday in                                                               June, both                                                               dates                                                               inclusive.Lakes, Ponds        Open-water          Dec. 1 through     All bass must       Zero - Alland                        fishing: Catch       the Friday             be released            bass must bereservoirs              and release            before the                                             immediately(not                        with                       Second                                                  releasedseasonally             artificial                Saturday inclosed)                  lures and               June, both                               flies only               dates                                                               inclusive.Seasonally,           Open-water          Only when such  No restrictions      5 fishClosed Waters      fishing                   rivers and- streams                                              streams are                                                               open to trout                                                               fishing except                                                               as prohibited                                                               by Section 9.2Lake Morey,         Open-water           Second                  Largemouth          5 FishFairlee                   fishing (Ice           Saturday in           bass - Minimum                               fishing -                 June through       length of 14                               see special            Nov. 30                inches                                provisions)Lake Morey,         Open-water          Dec. 1 through     All bass must       Zero  - AllFairlee                   fishing Catch        Friday before        be released            bass must be                               and release            the Second                                           immediately                               with                       Saturday in                                          released.                               artificial                June, both                               lures and               dates                               flies only               inclusive.  Kent Pond,           Open-water          Second                  Largemouth          10 fish, onlyKillington             fishing                   Saturday in           Bass:                     1 fish greaterand Baker                                            June through        protected               than 12 inches.Pond,                                                     Nov. 30                slot: 10-12Brookfield                                                                            inches (all                                                                                               fish between                                                                                               10 & 12 inches                                                                                               must be                                                                                               released)Kent Pond,           Open-water          Dec. 1 through     All bass must       Zero  - AllKillington             fishing: Catch       Friday before        be released            bass must beand Baker             and release            the Second                                           immediatelyPond,                     with                       Saturday in                                          releasedBrookfield            artificial                June, both                               lures and               dates                               flies only               inclusive. 8.5.22 WALLEYE1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          Limits  General                 Open-water and  First Saturday      Minimum length  3 FishWaters and           ice fishing             in May through    of 18 inchesLake                                                      March 15Champlain(except aslistedbelow)Lake Carmi,         Open-water and  First Saturday      Minimum length  5 fish,Franklin                Ice 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            Open-water and  June 1 through     Minimum length  2 fishReservoir,             ice fishing             March 15              of 22 inchesChittenden8.5.23 SAUGER1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          Limits General                 Open-water and  No open season    Any fish taken     Zero - AllWaters and           ice fishing                                             must be                 Sauger takenLake                                                                                      immediately         must beChamplain                                                                           released.                immediately                                                                                                                               released. Spawning grounds for game fish -  generally8.6 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.   8.7 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.)   8.8 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.   8.9 The below named waters are closed to fishing year-round:  Orleans County Clyde River - From 260 feet below the top of the abandoned Mill Dam                 immediately upstream of the Number 1, 2, 3 hydroelectric                 powerhouse 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.   8.10 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. Jan. 1, 2009; 2010 Fish and Wildlife Reg. effective Jan. 1, 2011; 2013 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2014; 2015 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2017 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2018; 2018 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2019.)