What is the Vermont bag limit for landlocked atlantic salmon?

The Vermont daily bag limit for landlocked atlantic salmon is Lake Champlain 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with lake trout. The possession limit is Daily limits apply (Lake Champlain 2; 2 / day aggregate elsewhere) — VT publishes no separate multi-day possession multiplier for cold-water species. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

Do you need a license to fish for landlocked atlantic salmon in Vermont?

Yes. Vermont requires a valid fishing license to fish for landlocked atlantic salmon, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Vermont license — compare resident and non-resident Vermont fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for landlocked atlantic salmon in Vermont?

Yes. In Vermont, landlocked atlantic salmon fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; down-rigger trolling permitted (most-effective summer tactic in Lake Champlain); Fly-fishing-only restrictions apply on listed wild-salmon tributary reaches; Live fish bait PROHIBITED on certain designated waters per VT F&W special-regulations list; Felt-soled wading boots BANNED on Vermont wild trout / salmon waters since 2011; VT Fishing Licence required ages 15+ ($32 res / $58 NR annual); Confirm current-year VT F&W Fishing Guide — landlocked salmon rules are water-by-water.

Do specific Vermont waters have different landlocked atlantic salmon rules?

Yes. 5 named Vermont waters carry rules that override the statewide landlocked atlantic salmon regulation, including Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, Seymour Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Vermont Landlocked Atlantic salmon 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Salmo salar (landlocked form)

Last updated June 3, 2026

Vermont's landlocked Atlantic salmon fishery is anchored by Lake Champlain (490 sq mi VT/NY/QC boundary), which has been the centerpiece of one of the most ambitious anadromous-fish restoration programs in North America since 1972 — the USFWS Lake Champlain Fish & Wildlife Restoration Office stocking program (using the Maine Sebago strain — the genetic source population from which all stocked landlocked Atlantic salmon in North America descend) combined with the Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program (TFM lampricide treatments on tributaries since 1990) has restored a viable recreational fishery, though the population remains primarily stocking-dependent rather than naturally reproducing (limited natural reproduction has been documented in select tributaries — Boquet River, Saranac River on the NY side; Winooski River, Lamoille River on the VT side, but the bulk of the fishery is stocking-supplemented). Lake Memphremagog (102 sq mi VT/QC) carries a smaller stocking program. The Northeast Kingdom deep-water lakes (Seymour + Lake Willoughby + Caspian — Orleans County) carry secondary stocked landlocked salmon programs. Under Vermont's 2022 simplification: on Lake Champlain (eRegs Table 2) salmon carry a 15-inch minimum + 2 fish per day as a SEPARATE limit (open year-round, no closed season); everywhere else — lakes/ponds AND rivers/streams alike — salmon carry a 17-inch minimum and fall under a COMBINED 2-fish daily aggregate shared with lake trout (open second Saturday of April through October 31, lakes add January 1 – March 15). On Lake Memphremagog, Lake Willoughby, Seymour Lake and Caspian Lake the aggregate tightens to 2 fish total across ALL trout + salmon combined. VT state-record landlocked Atlantic salmon 12 lb 12 oz (Lake Champlain, 1979 — pre-restoration program, before the modern stocking effort) reflects the historic pre-control-program biomass; the modern fishery routinely produces 4-8 lb fish via the USFWS stocking + lamprey control program.

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Season

Lake Champlain open year-round, 15 in min + 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters (lakes + rivers/streams) 17 in min within a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with lake trout, open 2nd Saturday of April – Oct 31 (lakes add Jan 1 – Mar 15); Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program supports the recreational fishery.

Jan 1 – Dec 31Lake Champlain — open year-round
Lake Champlain open year-round, no closed season
Apr 11 – Oct 31Tributaries + other waters — open harvest season
Open harvest 2nd Saturday of April through end of October on tributaries + other waters

Bag & possession

Daily bag: Lake Champlain 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with lake trout
Possession: Daily limits apply (Lake Champlain 2; 2 / day aggregate elsewhere) — VT publishes no separate multi-day possession multiplier for cold-water species

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 15 in min Lake Champlain; 17 in min all other waters (lakes + rivers/streams)
Trophy rule: VT state-record landlocked Atlantic salmon 12 lb 12 oz Lake Champlain 1979 (pre-restoration program); modern fishery routinely produces 4-8 lb fish via USFWS stocking + Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; down-rigger trolling permitted (most-effective summer tactic in Lake Champlain)
Fly-fishing-only restrictions apply on listed wild-salmon tributary reaches
Live fish bait PROHIBITED on certain designated waters per VT F&W special-regulations list
Felt-soled wading boots BANNED on Vermont wild trout / salmon waters since 2011
VT Fishing Licence required ages 15+ ($32 res / $58 NR annual)
Confirm current-year VT F&W Fishing Guide — landlocked salmon rules are water-by-water

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Vermont waters:

Lake Champlain
15 in min, 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); USFWS Sebago-strain stocking + Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program
Lake Memphremagog
17 in min; counts within the lake's combined 2 / day all-trout + salmon aggregate; stocked salmon program (smaller than Lake Champlain)
Seymour Lake
17 in min; within the combined 2 / day all-trout + salmon aggregate; stocked Northeast Kingdom landlocked salmon
Lake Willoughby
17 in min; within the combined 2 / day all-trout + salmon aggregate; stocked Northeast Kingdom landlocked salmon
Caspian Lake
17 in min; within the combined 2 / day all-trout + salmon aggregate; stocked Northeast Kingdom landlocked salmon

Official source

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department publishes the authoritative 2026 Vermontfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The landlocked atlantic salmon rules on this page are sourced from Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's official landlocked atlantic salmon regulation page.

Visit official Vermont fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Landlocked Atlantic salmon closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any Vermont trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is landlocked atlantic salmon season in Vermont?: Lake Champlain open year-round, 15 in min + 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters (lakes + rivers/streams) 17 in min within a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with lake trout, open 2nd Saturday of April – Oct 31 (lakes add Jan 1 – Mar 15); Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program supports the recreational fishery. Those are the 2026 Vermont dates; always confirm against Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Vermont bag limit for landlocked atlantic salmon?: The Vermont daily bag limit for landlocked atlantic salmon is Lake Champlain 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with lake trout. The possession limit is Daily limits apply (Lake Champlain 2; 2 / day aggregate elsewhere) — VT publishes no separate multi-day possession multiplier for cold-water species. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size landlocked atlantic salmon can you keep in Vermont?: The Vermont size rule for landlocked atlantic salmon is 15 in min Lake Champlain; 17 in min all other waters (lakes + rivers/streams). Trophy rule: VT state-record landlocked Atlantic salmon 12 lb 12 oz Lake Champlain 1979 (pre-restoration program); modern fishery routinely produces 4-8 lb fish via USFWS stocking + Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program.
Do you need a license to fish for landlocked atlantic salmon in Vermont?: Yes. Vermont requires a valid fishing license to fish for landlocked atlantic salmon, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Vermont license — compare resident and non-resident Vermont fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for landlocked atlantic salmon in Vermont?: Yes. In Vermont, landlocked atlantic salmon fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; down-rigger trolling permitted (most-effective summer tactic in Lake Champlain); Fly-fishing-only restrictions apply on listed wild-salmon tributary reaches; Live fish bait PROHIBITED on certain designated waters per VT F&W special-regulations list; Felt-soled wading boots BANNED on Vermont wild trout / salmon waters since 2011; VT Fishing Licence required ages 15+ ($32 res / $58 NR annual); Confirm current-year VT F&W Fishing Guide — landlocked salmon rules are water-by-water.
Do specific Vermont waters have different landlocked atlantic salmon rules?: Yes. 5 named Vermont waters carry rules that override the statewide landlocked atlantic salmon regulation, including Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, Seymour Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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