What special fishing regulations apply at Connecticut River main stem?

Connecticut River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye, and Northern pike. One of them reads: "NH/VT boundary water under long-standing reciprocity statute (already in `reciprocity.ts`); valid Vermont OR New Hampshire freshwater fishing licence honored on entire main stem + 4 boundary impoundments (Wilder + Bellows Falls + Vernon + Moore / Comerford); smallmouth + walleye + American shad (spring spawning run April – June) + Atlantic salmon historic spawning range (USFWS Atlantic salmon Connecticut River Restoration Program terminated 2012); year-round open striped bass + walleye + black bass; tributaries on each side governed by that state's regs alone." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Connecticut River main stem?

Yes. Connecticut River main stem is in Vermont, so a valid Vermont fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Connecticut River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Vermont rules.

Do Connecticut River main stem's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Connecticut River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Connecticut River main stem?

Smallmouth bass, Walleye, and Northern pike have a water-body-specific rule on Connecticut River main stem, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

2026 regulation year

Connecticut River main stem 2026 — Vermont Fishing Regulations

Vermont statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Connecticut River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of Vermont's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

NH/VT boundary water under long-standing reciprocity statute (already in `reciprocity.ts`); valid Vermont OR New Hampshire freshwater fishing licence honored on entire main stem + 4 boundary impoundments (Wilder + Bellows Falls + Vernon + Moore / Comerford); smallmouth + walleye + American shad (spring spawning run April – June) + Atlantic salmon historic spawning range (USFWS Atlantic salmon Connecticut River Restoration Program terminated 2012); year-round open striped bass + walleye + black bass; tributaries on each side governed by that state's regs alone
Source: Vermont special-water list

Per-species rules on Connecticut River main stem

Smallmouth bass regulations →
10 in min, 5 / day combined under reciprocal NH/VT rules; April 14 – June 14 VT spawning closure applies on VT side (NH does not have a state-wide closure — anglers fishing the boundary with a VT licence must observe VT closure)
Walleye regulations →
18 in min, 3 / day (VT statewide rule); NH/VT reciprocal boundary water, open year-round
Northern pike regulations →
20 in min, 5 / day; NH/VT reciprocal boundary water

Official source

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department publishes the authoritative 2026 Vermont fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Vermont fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

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

Other special-regulation waters in Vermont

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Connecticut River main stem?: Connecticut River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye, and Northern pike. One of them reads: "NH/VT boundary water under long-standing reciprocity statute (already in `reciprocity.ts`); valid Vermont OR New Hampshire freshwater fishing licence honored on entire main stem + 4 boundary impoundments (Wilder + Bellows Falls + Vernon + Moore / Comerford); smallmouth + walleye + American shad (spring spawning run April – June) + Atlantic salmon historic spawning range (USFWS Atlantic salmon Connecticut River Restoration Program terminated 2012); year-round open striped bass + walleye + black bass; tributaries on each side governed by that state's regs alone." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Connecticut River main stem?: Yes. Connecticut River main stem is in Vermont, so a valid Vermont fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Connecticut River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Vermont rules.
Do Connecticut River main stem's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Connecticut River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Connecticut River main stem?: Smallmouth bass, Walleye, and Northern pike have a water-body-specific rule on Connecticut River main stem, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

← Back to Vermont regulations overview