Vermont Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
How much is a fishing license in Vermont?
A resident annual Vermont fishing license costs $28.00, and a non-resident annual license is $54.00. Vermont also offers short-term day passes and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
🎫 Buy a Vermont Fishing License →Fishing in Vermont
Vermont fishing centers on Lake Champlain, a national-caliber bass lake that also produces lake trout, landlocked salmon, pike and walleye. Away from the lake, the Green Mountain streams hold wild brook trout and the Battenkill is a storied trout river. Ice fishing on Champlain and the smaller lakes carries anglers through winter, so the state offers a strong open-water season and a genuine hard-water one.
Vermont Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$28.00
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$54.00
Non-Resident 3-Day
Freshwater
$23.00
Senior Permanent (66+)
Freshwater
$60.00
VT resident 66+: one-time $60 permanent license (no annual senior)
Youth (under 15)
Free✅ Prices verified January 2026 from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Vermont fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Vermont. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 15 do not need a license. Children under 15 fish without a license. Residents 15–17 buy an $8 youth fishing license ($15 non-resident).
- Seniors (66+)
- No reduced-price annual senior license. Vermont residents 66 and older buy a one-time $60 PERMANENT fishing license — cheap but not free, and not an annual product.
- Anglers with disabilities
- Free permanent fishing (or combination) license for Vermont residents who are legally blind (documented through the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired) or who have paraplegia or a severe physical mobility disability.
- Veterans & military
- Free permanent license for Vermont resident veterans rated 60% or more service-connected disabled, on presentation of the qualifying VA letter.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- Two statewide license-free days in 2026: Free Ice Fishing Day, Saturday, January 31 (last Saturday in January), and Summer Free Fishing Day, Saturday, June 13. Any angler, resident or non-resident, may fish without a license; all other regulations still apply.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified August 2026.
Vermont Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Vermont species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth/Smallmouth BassCatch-and-release season precedes harvest season | 5 | 10" | Second Sat June–Nov 30 (harvest) |
| Lake TroutLake Champlain sets its own limit | 2 | No limit | Varies |
| Landlocked SalmonChamplain/water-specific limits apply | 2 | No limit | Varies |
| Brook TroutGeneral-law limits where not posted | No limit | No limit | Varies |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Vermont Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Vermont?
A resident annual fishing license in Vermont costs $28.00, and a non-resident annual license costs $54.00. Vermont also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Do you need a fishing license in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 15 are exempt. No reduced-price annual senior license. Vermont residents 66 and older buy a one-time $60 PERMANENT fishing license — cheap but not free, and not an annual product. Always confirm current rules with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before you fish.
Where do you buy a Vermont fishing license?
Buy directly from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Vermont.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
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