When is walleye season in Vermont?

First Saturday of May through March 15 on most waters (closed mid-March through April for spring spawning protection); year-round Connecticut River main stem under NH/VT reciprocity. 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 walleye?

The Vermont daily bag limit for walleye is 3 / day statewide (2022 simplification — single statewide rule). The possession limit is 6 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye can you keep in Vermont?

The Vermont size rule for walleye is 18 in min statewide. Trophy rule: Lake Champlain Main Lake basin produces 10+ lb trophy walleye; VT state-record 14 lb 8.8 oz Lake Champlain; spring tributary spawning runs (Missisquoi + Lamoille + Winooski + Otter Creek) March – April densest fishing of the year.

Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Vermont?

Yes. Vermont requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Vermont?

Yes. In Vermont, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; ice-fishing tip-ups + jiggers permitted during winter on listed waters; Live fish bait PROHIBITED on certain designated waters per VT F&W special-regulations list; VT Fishing Licence required ages 15+ ($32 res / $58 NR annual); Confirm current-year VT F&W Fishing Guide — walleye rules are water-by-water.

Do specific Vermont waters have different walleye rules?

Yes. 7 named Vermont waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, Connecticut River main stem, and 4 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Vermont Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated May 26, 2026

Vermont's walleye fishery is anchored by Lake Champlain (the state's flagship walleye water — Lake Champlain holds dense self-sustaining walleye populations in the Main Lake basin + the Inland Sea + Mallets Bay + Missisquoi Bay + South Lake tier, plus the major Lake Champlain tributaries Otter Creek + Lamoille River + Winooski River + Missisquoi River where walleye stage for spring spawning runs March – April), plus the Connecticut River main stem (NH/VT boundary water under reciprocity statute — walleye + smallmouth + American shad spring spawning run), Lake Memphremagog (VT/QC boundary), Lake Bomoseen + Lake St. Catherine (Rutland County), and Otter Creek (Vermont's longest river — 112 miles, the country's only river that begins and ends in Vermont). Lake Champlain operates under the VT/NY interstate reciprocity statute — a valid VT OR NY freshwater fishing licence is honored. Under Vermont's 2022 fishing-regulations simplification, walleye carry a single statewide rule — 18-inch minimum + 3 fish per angler per day on all waters (the prior per-water split that gave most waters a 15-inch / 5-fish allowance is retired). Lake Champlain trophy walleye 10+ lb come from the deep-water structure in the Main Lake basin between Burlington and Essex NY; the spring tributary spawning runs (Missisquoi River + Lamoille River + Winooski River + Otter Creek) March – April produce the densest fishing of the year. The walleye season is closed mid-March through April 30 on most waters for spring spawning protection; the Connecticut River main stem is open year-round under reciprocal NH/VT rules. Vermont state-record walleye 14 lb 8.8 oz (Lake Champlain).

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Season

First Saturday of May through March 15 on most waters (closed mid-March through April for spring spawning protection); year-round Connecticut River main stem under NH/VT reciprocity.

May 2 – Dec 31Statewide walleye waters — open harvest season
Open harvest 1st Saturday of May through March 15
Jan 1 – Mar 15Statewide walleye waters — open harvest continues into spring
Open through March 15 — closes for spring spawning protection March 16 – April 30
Jan 1 – Dec 31Connecticut River main stem — open year-round under NH/VT reciprocity
Connecticut River main stem open year-round (NH does not have a closed season for walleye)

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 3 / day statewide (2022 simplification — single statewide rule)
Possession: 6 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in min statewide
Trophy rule: Lake Champlain Main Lake basin produces 10+ lb trophy walleye; VT state-record 14 lb 8.8 oz Lake Champlain; spring tributary spawning runs (Missisquoi + Lamoille + Winooski + Otter Creek) March – April densest fishing of the year

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; ice-fishing tip-ups + jiggers permitted during winter on listed waters
Live fish bait PROHIBITED on certain designated waters per VT F&W special-regulations list
VT Fishing Licence required ages 15+ ($32 res / $58 NR annual)
Confirm current-year VT F&W Fishing Guide — walleye rules are water-by-water

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Vermont waters:

Lake Champlain
18 in min, 3 / day; VT's flagship walleye water; VT/NY interstate reciprocity
Lake Memphremagog
18 in min, 3 / day; VT-portion only (no international reciprocity with QC)
Connecticut River main stem
18 in min, 3 / day (VT statewide rule); NH/VT reciprocal boundary water, open year-round
Otter Creek
18 in min, 3 / day; spring tributary spawning run March – April for Lake Champlain walleye
Lake Bomoseen
18 in min, 3 / day
Lake St. Catherine
18 in min, 3 / day
Winooski River
18 in min, 3 / day; spring tributary spawning run March – April for Lake Champlain walleye

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.

Visit official Vermont fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Walleye 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 walleye season in Vermont?: First Saturday of May through March 15 on most waters (closed mid-March through April for spring spawning protection); year-round Connecticut River main stem under NH/VT reciprocity. 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 walleye?: The Vermont daily bag limit for walleye is 3 / day statewide (2022 simplification — single statewide rule). The possession limit is 6 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye can you keep in Vermont?: The Vermont size rule for walleye is 18 in min statewide. Trophy rule: Lake Champlain Main Lake basin produces 10+ lb trophy walleye; VT state-record 14 lb 8.8 oz Lake Champlain; spring tributary spawning runs (Missisquoi + Lamoille + Winooski + Otter Creek) March – April densest fishing of the year.
Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Vermont?: Yes. Vermont requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Vermont?: Yes. In Vermont, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; ice-fishing tip-ups + jiggers permitted during winter on listed waters; Live fish bait PROHIBITED on certain designated waters per VT F&W special-regulations list; VT Fishing Licence required ages 15+ ($32 res / $58 NR annual); Confirm current-year VT F&W Fishing Guide — walleye rules are water-by-water.
Do specific Vermont waters have different walleye rules?: Yes. 7 named Vermont waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, Connecticut River main stem, and 4 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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