Vermont’s Spring Trout and Bass Catch-and-Release Seasons Open April 11

Trout and Bass Catch and Release Season Opens

Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 11 this year, and anglers are looking forward to spring fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout in the Green Mountain State’s lakes and streams. Vermont is known for excellent fishing opportunities for wild trout, and some of the biggest brown and rainbow trout are caught during early spring in many rivers throughout the state.

“Many of the biggest brown and rainbow trout caught in Vermont rivers each year are taken during the spring season. Though the cold, high water early in the season may force anglers to fish slower in order to tempt sluggish fish, as the spring temperatures rise, the action can really pick up.”  ~  Eric Palmer, director of fisheries, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. 

Vermont’s catch-and-release bass fishing season in lakes also starts on April 11, and continues through June 12 when the regular bass season starts. Only lures and flies may be used during the catch-and-release season, and bass must be released immediately

Anglers should note that on most Vermont waters, open water fishing is different than ice fishing. Anglers may not fish from the ice or through the ice for trout during the open-water trout season on rivers, streams and lakes with seasonal closures.

Lake Champlain, however, is open to year-round trout fishing and it does not matter whether an angler is ice fishing or fishing open water. Many other lakes and ponds are open to year-round fishing for species such as yellow perch and northern pike. For a list of year-round fishing spots, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Planning a Vermont spring fishing trip is easy. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has a 2015 Vermont Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide that includes maps showing lakes and streams as well as fishing access areas and public lands.

The guide also lists the fish species found in each body of water and includes the state’s fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold, or by calling the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department at 802-828-1000. You can also download sections of the publication from www.vtfishandwildlife.com.