‘Reel Fun’ from Vermont State Parks and Vermont Fish and Wildlife

‘Reel Fun’ at Vermont State Parks

'Reel Fun' at Vermont State ParksVermont State Parks and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are joining forces to promote fishing opportunities for campers and visitors at Vermont’s state parks with their new ‘Reel Fun’ program.

‘Reel Fun’ encourages park visitors to take advantage of easily accessible, family-friendly fishing opportunities available at most Vermont State Parks.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Vermont Fish & Wildlife to help make fishing more accessible to anglers at Vermont State Parks. There’s a strong history of recreational angling at our state parks and we want to continue to bolster that tradition through the ‘Reel Fun’ program. Whether you want to fish from shore or take out one of our canoes, kayaks or paddleboats, we hope that you will make fishing at a state park a must-do activity this summer.” ~ Craig Whipple, director of state parks, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. 

Along with the ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ clinics featuring trained instructors, 10 state parks will now provide loaner fishing equipment to visitors. Included in the equipment are rods, reels, fishing line and an assortment of lures or baits that can be signed out by park visitors to help provide instant access to some great fishing opportunities.

Park visitors will also have access to a fishing guide publication developed by Vermont Fish & Wildlife for the body of water at that park. The guide will include information about the waterbody, a lake or river map, a list of present fish species, applicable fishing tips and techniques for that waterway, and information about obtaining a Vermont fishing license.

 

‘Reel Fun’ Participating Vermont State Parks

'Reel Fun' at Vermont State ParksIn addition to Grand Isle State Park on Lake Champlain, the following state parks will be participating in ‘Reel Fun’ in 2015:  Lake Carmi State Park, Stillwater State Park on Groton Lake, Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore, Silver Lake State Park, Wilgus State Park on the Connecticut River, Half Moon State Park on Half Moon Pond, Lake St. Catherine State Park, Woodford State Park on Adams Reservoir and Brighton State Park on Spectacle Pond.

“From my personal experience camping and fishing with my family, I can attest that Vermont’s state parks and fishing are a natural combination, The ‘Reel Fun’ program will help to make fishing in our state parks an easy option to anyone who might want to try it out.” ~ Eric Palmer, director of fisheries with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

‘Reel Fun VT’ Photo Contest

The program also includes a ‘Reel Fun VT’ photo contest where visitors can submit photos of themselves fishing at state parks. Three winners will be chosen at the end of the summer. The first place winner will receive two starter fishing kits as well as a weekend of free camping in a Vermont State Park. The second place winner will receive one starter fishing kit and a 2016 season vehicle pass for Vermont State Parks. Lastly, the third place winner will also receive a starter fishing kit and a punch card good for 10 visits to any Vermont State Park.

Visitors can submit ‘Reel Fun VT’ photos via email to fwinformation@state.vt.us or parks@state.vt.us, or can use #ReelFunVT to tag photos on Twitter.

 

Vermont Days are ‘Reel Fun’ 

Vermont Days, the weekend of June 13 and 14, is a great opportunity for park guests to experience fishing in Vermont State Parks. To find out more about Vermont Days, visit https://vermontvacation.com/vermont-days. June 13 is also Free Fishing Day in Vermont where any resident or non-resident can fish without a license.

To find out more about Vermont State Parks, make a camping reservation or learn about day use, visit http://www.vtstateparks.com/index.htm. To learn more about fishing in Vermont or to purchase a fishing license, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

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