As with many states, Vermont has some changes to their fishing laws that take affect on January 1, 2006. Before you head out on the ice, you may want to read up on them to make sure you are legal.

You can go to the Vermont News section at Maine Outdoors Today and get more information but here’s a look at some of the highlights of the new regulations.

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

Happy fishing!

Tom Remington