MONTPELIER —  Vermont’s fishing regulations will look different on Jan. 1, 2022. But don’t worry, most of the new regulations have been simplified and provide additional fishing opportunities. Those who fish like they have in the past will be legal, with a few exceptions.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife biologists, warden service staff, fish and wildlife board, and the public have worked to develop regulations that are easier to understand while still providing protection for fish populations across Vermont, according to Director of the Fish Division Eric Palmer. “These new changes allow anyone to fish nearly all waterbodies in the state year-round as long as they practice catch and release,” he said.

Some additional highlights include:

• In certain lakes and ponds, the winter harvest season for trout will start on Jan. 1.
• You can keep eight trout from streams and rivers. This means eight total fish of any combination of Brook, Brown or Rainbow Trout.
• Many waters that were previously seasonally closed are now managed under general regulations.

All of these changes mean that the number of tables in the Fishing Guide is reduced from 10 to 3.

To get all the details, visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com, where you can download a copy of the “2022 Fishing Guide & Regulations” or grab a hard copy at one of many license agent locations across the state.