Reel Fun Fishing program expands at Vermont state parks

Reel Fun Fishing Program Expands at Vermont State Parks

Vermont State Parks and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department have expanded the popular Reel Fun Vermont program for 2017. Eighteen Vermont State Parks now offer free loaner fishing equipment to park visitors, along with a mix of educational resources focused on the sport of fishing.

“We’re excited to offer Reel Fun at six more state parks this summer, making fishing easy and accessible to even more park campers and day visitors,” said Chris Adams, information specialist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Many Vermont State Parks offer tremendous fishing opportunities and we’ve made it our objective to help folks enjoy the sport by offering them the resources to wet a line during their park visit.”

The following state parks will participate this season: Grand Isle, Button Bay and Burton Island on Lake Champlain; Bomoseen on Lake Bomoseen; Branbury on Lake Dunmore; Brighton on Spectacle Pond; Camp Plymouth on Echo Lake; Elmore on Lake Elmore; Emerald Lake on Emerald Lake; Gifford Woods on Kent Pond; Half Moon on Half Moon Pond; Lake Carmi on Lake Carmi; Lake St. Catherine on Lake St. Catherine; Little River on Waterbury Reservoir; Silver Lake on Silver Lake; Stillwater on Groton Lake; Wilgus on the Connecticut River; and Woodford on Adams Reservoir.

In addition to rods, reels, fishing line and an assortment of lures, park visitors will have access to a fishing guide publication for the various Reel Fun parks, developed by Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

The guides include information about each waterbody, including a lake, pond or river map, a list of fish species present, fishing tips and techniques applicable to the waterbody, and information about obtaining a Vermont fishing license.

Introductory fishing clinics coordinated through the Let’s Go Fishing program will also be held at many of the parks during the summer, helping people new to the sport learn the basics of fishing. Lastly, a full Reel Fun Week will be held from July 10-17.

“State parks and fishing fun go hand in hand,” said Adams. “Whether you want to fish from shore or take out a canoe, kayak or paddleboat, all of the Reel Fun parks are great spots to enjoy the sport of fishing with family and friends. Not to mention, the variety of fish species found at many of the parks is remarkable. You just never know what you might catch!”