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 Authority  (a) 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 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. (b) 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. (c) 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 fish 3.1 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.3.3 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.3.4 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters.3.5 Catch and Release: For species with defined harvest seasons, targeted C&R angling with immediate release can occur outside of harvest season, using artificial lures and flies.4.0 Ice Fishing4.1 Definitions – The definitions of section 3 are applicable to this section.(a) Ice Fishing—Ice fishing is defined as fishing by means of hook andline 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 objectsupported 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 eight lines, except on Lake Champlain where no more than fifteen lines may be operated. Each line shall not have more than two baited hooks, or more than three artificial flies, or more than two lures with or without bait. 4.3 A person ice fishing shall have at all times, 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 within 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 Taking or attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited in all Vermont Waters. 4.6 Catch and Release (C&R): For species with defined harvest seasons, targeted C&R angling with immediate release can occur outside of harvest season, using artificial lures and flies.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 Seasonally Closed Waters  6.1 Lakes and Ponds -  The following lakes and ponds or portions thereof are hereby designated seasonally closed waters and shall be closed to all fishing except between Second Saturday in April through October 31:  Bald Hill Pond, Westmore Beaver Pond, Holland Beck Pond, Newark Beebe Pond, Sunderland Big Mud Pond, Mt. Tabor Bourn Pond, Sunderland Branch Pond, Sunderland Cary Pond, Walden Cow Mountain Pond, Granby Duck Pond, Sutton Forest Lake, Averill Griffith Lake, Mt. Tabor Holland Pond, Holland Jobs Pond, Westmore Lake Pleiad, Hancock Levi Pond, Groton Lewis Pond, Lewis Little Rock Pond, Wallingford Long Pond, Westmore Marl Pond, Sutton Martins Pond, Peacham North Pond, Chittenden Notch Pond, Ferdinand Noyes (Seyon) Pond, Groton Perch Pond (Zack Woods Pond), Hyde Park Pigeon Pond, Groton Red Mill Pond, Woodford 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 Unknown Pond, Averys Gore Unknown Pond, Ferdinand Vail Pond, Sutton Vernon Hatchery Pond, Vernon West Mountain Pond, Maidstone Wheeler Pond, Barton and Sutton Zack Woods (Perch Pond), Hyde Park    6.2 Rivers and Streams -  All rivers and streams are hereby designated seasonally closed waters except as listed in all the sections below. For species with defined harvest seasons, targeted C&R angling with immediate release can occur outside of harvest season, using artificial lures and flies.7.0 Fish -  Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits.    7.1 Fish of the species named or described in the tables set forth below may be taken:(a) In the waters specified in column 1, by the method specified in column 2, during the open season specified in column 3.(b) 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.(c) Businesses may buy lawfully taken fish, with the approval of Commissioner, pursuant to the Commercial angling rules set forth in 10 V.S.A. App. 123.7.2 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.  (a) 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:  (1) a person may transport approved baitfish species pursuant to the baitfish rules set forth in 10 V.S.A. App. § 141. (2) the person has been issued a scientific collection permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity, (3) the person has been issued a fish transportation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity, (4) the person has been issued a fish breeders permit or fish importation permit by the Commissioner which specifically approves of the activity.    7.3 The daily bag limit for a fish species on a water body with a closed season for that fish species is zero during the closed season.7.4 "General waters" restrictions are the provisions applicable to all waters of the State, except the waters specifically named or described.7.5 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 6 of these regulations.7.6 Open Seasons, Size Restrictions and Daily Bag Limits Tables (a) STATEWIDE AGGREGATE DAILY BAG LIMITS (Maximum number of a fish species that may be taken in one day)          FISH SPECIES                          DAILY AGGREGRATE LIMITSBrook and Brown and Rainbow         Maximum Combination of 8 fishTrout - Streams/ RiversBrook and Brown and Rainbow         Maximum Combination of 6 fishTrout - lakes and pondsLake Trout                                       2 fish, (3 if taken from Lake Champlain)Salmon                                                                     2 fishLarge and Smallmouth Bass                 Maximum combination of 5 fishNorthern Pike                                                          5 fishChain Pickerel                                                       10 fishMuskellunge                                                            0 fishWalleye                                                                    3 fishBlack and White Crappie                                       25 fishAmerican Shad                                                        0 fishYellow Perch                                                         50 fishYellow Perch exception                            Lake Champlain - No daily limitSauger                                                                      0 fishSturgeon                                                                   0 fish (b) BROOK, BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT1. Waters           2. Methods         3. Season            4. Size                5. Daily Bag                                                                              Restrictions        Limit Lakes and           Open-water            Second          No restriction      6 troutPonds                 and ice fishing       Saturday in                                   April through                               October 31        January 1,                                                 through March                                15      Lake                 Open-water           No closed        Minimum         3 troutChamplain        and ice fishing       season               length of 12                                     inches         Rivers and         Open-water           Second          No restriction        8 troutStreams             fishing                   Saturday in                                              April through        October 31         Sherman            Open-water            Second          No restriction        6 troutReservior,          fishing                  Saturday inWhitingham                                 April through          October 31           (c) 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). (d) 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 31Rivers 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.          Browning Branch of the Willoughby River - From its confluence at the            Willoughby River extending upstream to the second road crossing on    Brownington Chilafonx Road (TH #15). Crossing is located    approximately 2.4 miles from Browington Center on Chilafoux                Road (TH #15) .          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. (e) 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 regulations   Two fish inbelow:           and Ice fishing   Saturday in     for specific           aggregate        April through  bodies of October 31      waters                     January 1 through March 15          Big Averill Lake, Norton and AverillCaspian Lake, GreensboroCrystal Lake, BartonEast Long Pond, WoodburyEcho Lake, CharlestonElligo Lake, Craftsbury and GreensboroForest Lake (Nelson Pond), Calais and WoodburyHarveys Lake, BarnetJobs Pond, Westmore (Seasonally Closed)Lake Dunmore, SalisburyLake Memphremagog (including South Bay), Coventry, Derby, Newport City and NewportLittle Averill Lake, AverillMaidstone Lake, MaidstoneMartins Pond, Peacham (Seasonally Closed)Nelson Pond (Forest Lake), Calais and WoodburyNichols Pond, WoodburySeymour Lake, MorganShadow Lake, GloverSpring Lake, ShrewsburySunset Lake, BensonWilloughby Lake, Westmore. (f) LAKE TROUT AND SALMON 1. Waters         2. Methods      3. Season           4. Size             5. Daily Bag                                                                          Restrictions        LimitGeneral           Open-water      Second             Salmon -            2 Lake Trout orWaters (all      and ice fishing Saturday in       Minimum           2 Salmon or 1waters except                          April through    length of 17       of eachas listed below)                       October 31        inches           Lake Trout -  January 1           Minimum  through March    length of 18 15                       inches                                             Lake                Open-water     No Closed          Lake Trout       3 Lake TroutChamplain       and ice             Season                and Salmon -     and 2 Salmon                        fishing                                        Minimum                                                                            length of                                                                            15 inches  Clyde Pond,    Open-water     Second               Lake Trout -         2 Lake TroutDerby Little     fishing            Saturday in        Minimum             or 2 Salmon orSalem Lake,                            April through    length of 18          1 of eachDerby Salem                           August 31          inchesLake, Derby                                    Clyde River                                                       Salmon -from Lake                                                         MinimumMemphremagog                                                length of 17upstream to                                                       inchesCitizen'sCharlestonDam (LubberLake), WestCharleston  Lake                    Open-water  Second              Lake Trout -      2 Lake Trout orMemphremagog  and ice        Saturday in       Minimum           2 Salmon or(including             fishing         April through   of 18 inches       1 of eachSouth Bay)                               October 31          January 1          Salmon -  through March  Minimum   15                      length of 17                                                                                    inches Listed              Open-water        Second            Lake Trout -      2 Lake Trout orBelow:             fishing                Saturday in     Minimum           2 Salmon or 1           April through  length of 18       of each    October 31      inches                     Salmon -    Minimum    length of 17    inches         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. 8.5.9 SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT STREAMS1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                           Restrictions                          Limit White River          Open-water            Second                Minimum length                  1 trout - From the            fishing, with            Saturday in         of 18 inchesConfluence with   artificial lures         April throughLilliesville              and flies only.         October 31.Brook inStockbridgedownstream 3.3miles to 220 ft.downstream ofthe confluencewith ClevelandBrook in Bethel.Winooski River    Open-water             June 1 through     10 to 16 inches                   2 trout, only 1 Tributaries -         fishing                     October 31            protected slot:                   greater than  Listed Below:                                                                        (all fish 10 to 16               16 inches           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 Below:       Open-water           Second                   10 to 16 inches                     2 trout, only 1     Fishing                   Saturday in            protected slot:                     greater than    April through       (all fish 10 to 16                 16 inches  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.Mettawee River - From the downstream edge of the Route 153 bridge in Pawlet upstream (approximately 16 miles) to the downstream edge of first bridge on Dorset Hollow Road and including tributary: Flower Brook upstream (approximately 1000ft) to the downstream edge of the Route 30 bridge in Pawlet.Winooski River - From Preston Brook mouth upstream (approximately 4.4 miles) to the Ridley Brook mouth. Listed below:        Open-water             Second                No size                                  8 trout      fishing                     Saturday in         restriction.      April through   September 30               Open-water              October 1,          All trout must                      Zero, all trout Fishing                      through                 be immediately                  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.  (h) 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 (i) AMERICAN SHAD 1. Waters                              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                                           Restrictions          LimitConnecticut                          Open-water         No closed             All shad                 Zero - AllRiver, including                  fishing                    season                    must be                  shall must beVermont river                                                                                       released                 immediatelytributaries                                                                                                                              released  (j) 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  (k) SUCKER (LONGNOSE AND WHITE), and CULL FISH 1. Waters              2. Methods           3. Season              4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                           Restrictions          Limit General Waters    Open-water          No closed             No restriction       No Limit(and as listed         and ice fishing     seasonbelow)General Waters    Speargun, bow   No Closed              No restriction       No Limit(Except                 and crossbow     Seasonseasonally             all with lineclosed waters       attached toand as listed          arrowbelow)Lake                      Open-water           No closed             No restriction       No LimitChamplain,           and 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 (l) 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 (m) 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          (n) 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  (o) 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) (p) SMELT 1. 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 (q) BLACK AND WHITE CRAPPIE 1. 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 (r) YELLOW PERCH 1. 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                       Open-water and  No closed             No restriction       No LimitChamplain            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  (s) LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS 1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          Limits General Waters    Open-water             Second               Minimum              5 fish(except as listed    and ice fishing        Saturday in        length of 10          below)                                                       June through     inches                                March 15.         Lake                       Open-water              Second               Minimum              5 fishChamplain            fishing                       Saturday in        length of 12                                                                   June through     inches           Nov. 30         Lakes, Ponds        Open-water             Second               Minimum              5 fishand reservoirs       fishing                      Saturday in        length of 10(seasonally                                               June through     inchesclosed)                                                      October 31.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         No restrictions      5 fishClosed Waters      fishing                      such 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. Austin Pond, HubbertonBlack Pond, HubbertonBlueberry Lake (Warren Lake), WarrenBreese Pond, HubbertonBullhead Pond, ManchesterGale Meadows, LondonderryHalf Moon Pond, HubbertonLily Pond, VernonLowell Lake, LondonderryMill Pond, WindsorRaponda Lake, WilmingtonRetreat Meadows, BrattleboroRoach Pond, HubbertonRunnemede Lake, WindsorSadawga, WhitinghamWeatherhead Hollow, Guilford (t) WALLEYE 1. Waters              2. Methods            3. Season             4. Size                   5. Daily Bag                                                                                               Restrictions          LimitsGeneral                 Open-water and  First Saturday      Minimum length  3 FishWaters and           ice fishing             in May through    of 18 inchesLake                                                      March 15Champlain(except as listedbelow) Lake Carmi,         Open-water           First Saturday      Minimum length  5 fish, providedFranklin                and ice fishing     in May through    of 15 inches          only 1 is over                                                               March 15                                             19 inches                                                                                                Protected                                                                                               lengths - 17 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 inchesChittendenincluding alltributariesupstream tothe firstbarrierimpassable toupstream fishmovement (u) SAUGER 1. 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. 7.7 Spawning grounds for game fish generally(a) 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. Willoughby River, Orleans -  From the downstream edge of bridge on                       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, all in Westmore -                      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. Porter Brook, Greensboro -  From Caspian Lake upstream to its                                 headwaters. (1987, Fish and Wildlife Commissioner's Reg. No.              970, eff. April 1, 1987.)   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, Stockbridge -  From its confluence with the White                        River upstream to the 2nd bridge on the Lilliesville Brook                                 Road. Locust Creek, Bethel -  From its confluence with the White River                              upstream to the 2nd bridge on Rt. 12.   (b) The below named waters are closed from March 16 through May 31.  Chittenden County   Lamoille River, Milton -  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, Winooski and Burlington -  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, Swanton -  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.)(c) 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, Swanton -  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.(d) The below named waters are closed to fishing year-round:Orleans CountyClyde River, Newport City -  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.(e) The below named water is only open to fishing using artificial flies and lures from September 1 to October 31. All salmon caught must be released. Lake Trout may be harvest during this period. The daily limit is 2 lake trout with a minimum length of 18 inchesClyde River -  From Lake Memphremagog upstream to Charleston Dam                       (Lubber Lake), West Charleston(f) The below named water is catch and release for trout from Second Saturday in April to October 31. All trout must be immediately released.Batten Kill River -  From the New York State line upstream (approximately                  20.6 miles) to downstream side of Depot Street Bridge (Route                    11/30) in Manchester(g) The below named water is catch and release for trout with artificial lures and flies only, anglers less than 15 years old may use live bait from Second Saturday in April to October 31. All trout must be immediately released.Dog River -  From the downstream edge of the Junction Road Bridge in                        Berlin/Montpelier upstream to the top of the Northfield Falls D             am in Northfield.(h) The below named waters are closed to fishing from November 1 to the Friday before the second Saturday in April.Batten Kill River -  From the New York State line upstream (approximately                  20.6 miles) to downstream side of Depot Street Bridge (Route                    11/30) in Manchester.Clyde River -  From Lake Memphremagog upstream to Charleston Dam                        (Lubber Lake), West CharlestonDog River -  From the downstream edge of the Junction Road Bridge in                        Berlin/Montpelier upstream to the top of the Northfield Falls                 Dam in Northfield.(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; 2021 Fish and Wildlife Reg. eff. Jan. 1, 2022.)