New Vermont Fishing Rules are In Effect

WATERBURY, VT - Here is a New Year's tip from Vermont Fish & Wildlife - several new fishing rules are now in effect. Some of them are entirely new, while others reflect changes to existing rules.

A group of fisheries biologists, wardens and members of the public was appointed two years ago by Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche to evaluate Vermont's fishing regulations. The "fishing regulation team" completed its first round of recommendations last summer, and the Fish & Wildlife Board passed a regulation last fall based on the recommendations. Some of the changes required standardizing rules that were similar, while other rules were no longer biologically needed.

Vermont's 2006 Digest of Hunting, Fishing & Trapping Laws is scheduled for delivery to license agents by December 30. The new "Digest" includes maps showing the location of all stream sections with special fishing rules and new tables designed for easier reading.

The top five changes in fishing rules are highlighted below.

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 except as follows:
a.       Species on the approved bait fish list
b.       A person issued a special permit (fish transportation, fish breeder) by the Commissioner.
2.       Yellow perch daily limits
a.       Lake Champlain - Daily Limits: None
b.       Inland Waters - Daily Limits: 50 fish, no weight limit.
3.       Number of baited hooks, lures and flies: Statewide
a.       Each line may attach no more than two baited hooks, or three artificial flies or two lures with or without bait.
b.       There are two exceptions to this: Little Averill and Seymour lakes.
4.       Season ending dates changed
a.       Most seasons now have fixed ending dates (See regulation for specific species)
5.       Many other minor changes - please carefully check the regulations before fishing.
a.       Lakes and River sections were added or removed from some regulations
b.       Merging of dates on some closed waters

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For Further Information please contact: Bernie Pientka at 802-878-1564 or email to bernie.pientka@state.vt.us