The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says anglers will have several new fishing opportunities in Vermont beginning in January when a recently enacted regulation goes into effect.
Eleven new river sections will have catch-and-release trout fishing with artificial flies or lures outside of the normal trout fishing season, opening over 70 miles of river to year-round trout fishing.
A section of the Walloomsac River in Bennington is added to the trophy trout streams stocked with two-year old brown or rainbow trout with a daily limit of two trout per day.
Bass catch-and-release open water angling with artificial flies and lures (not ice fishing) outside the normal bass season will include all lakes, ponds and reservoirs not listed as “seasonally closed waters.” The list of seasonally closed waters is posted on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under Fishing, click on “Law Digest and Guide.”
“The department has made it a priority to increase opportunities for fish and wildlife-based recreation in which there will not be a biological impact,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry. “This new fishing regulation will greatly expand angling opportunities and help promote open-water fishing during more of the year.”
The sections of streams listed below are open to trout fishing year round according to the following rules:
• Only artificial flies or lures may be used, except during the open season for trout (2nd Sat. in April – Oct. 31).
• Catch and release only (trout must be immediately released where caught), except during the open season for trout.
• During open season for trout, follow normal size restrictions, daily limits and possession limits.
– Black River: From the Connecticut River boundary 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 Lake Champlain boundary (top of Peterson Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the Cady’s Falls Dam in Morristown.
– Lewis Creek: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the State Prison Hollow Road (TH#3) bridge in Starksboro.
– Missisquoi River: From the top of the Swanton Dam in Swanton to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.
– Moose River: From the confluence with Passumpsic River upstream to the downstream edge of the Concord Avenue bridge in St. Johnsbury.
– Ompompanoosuc River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
– Otter Creek: From the Lake Champlain boundary 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.
– Waits River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of the Central Vermont Power Dam in Bradford.
– 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.
– 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 VT Route 2/100 in Duxbury and Waterbury.