Vermont’s Spring Trout Fishing Opens April 13
OutdoorHub 03.19.13
Catch & Release Fishing allowed on nine stream sections now
Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 13 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. Until then, eager anglers can capitalize on year-round catch-and-release trout fishing opportunities on nine river sections.
- Black River – From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of the Lovejoy Dam in Springfield.
- Lamoille River – From the Lake Champlain boundary (top of Peterson Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the hydroelectric Dam at Fairfax Falls.
- Lewis Creek – From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the State Prison Hollow Road (TH #3) bridge in Starksboro.
- Ompompanoosuc River – From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
- Otter Creek – From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to top of Center Rutland Falls in Rutland.
- West River – From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Townshend Dam (Townshend) to Connecticut River boundary.
- 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 Bolton Dam in Duxbury and Waterbury.
“We know anglers are keen to wet a line as early as possible,” said Vermont Director of Fisheries Eric Palmer. “If weather conditions cooperate, these river sections will provide a great opportunity to do some catch-and-release trout fishing with artificials between now and the traditional start of trout season in April.”
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.
“Willoughby River steelhead provide a popular spring fishery in the Northeast Kingdom at the Village of Orleans,” said Palmer. “These steelhead are on their spring spawning run from Lake Memphremagog, and they always attract a lot of interest, partly because they can be seen jumping the falls in Orleans.”
As an added bonus, Vermont’s catch-and-release bass fishing season in lakes starts the same day as trout season on April 13 and continues through June 7. Only lures and flies may be used, and bass must be immediately released.
The Fish & Wildlife Department is cautioning anglers that the use of felt-soled boots or waders in Vermont waters is prohibited in order to prevent the spread of the invasive algae called didymo.
Anglers also are reminded to use sinkers that are not made of lead. It is unlawful to use a lead sinker weighing one-half ounce or less while fishing in Vermont. Weighted fly line, lead-core line, downrigger cannonballs, weighted flies, lure, spoons, or jig heads are not prohibited.
