What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Willoughby?

Lake Willoughby carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Lake trout and Landlocked Atlantic salmon. One of them reads: "Lake trout 24 in min; landlocked salmon (stocked) 17 in min; brook + brown + rainbow + lake trout + landlocked salmon = combined 2 / day aggregate; brook trout + rainbow smelt forage; one of the most scenic deep-water lakes in New England, often called 'America's Lucerne'; classic ice-fishing destination." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Willoughby?

Yes. Lake Willoughby 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 Lake Willoughby; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Vermont rules.

Do Lake Willoughby's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Willoughby 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 Lake Willoughby?

Lake trout and Landlocked Atlantic salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Willoughby, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Willoughby 2026 — Vermont Fishing Regulations

Vermont statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Lake Willoughby carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Vermont's 2026 fishing rules — covering Lake trout, Landlocked Atlantic salmon. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Lake trout 24 in min; landlocked salmon (stocked) 17 in min; brook + brown + rainbow + lake trout + landlocked salmon = combined 2 / day aggregate; brook trout + rainbow smelt forage; one of the most scenic deep-water lakes in New England, often called 'America's Lucerne'; classic ice-fishing destination
Source: Vermont special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Willoughby

Lake trout regulations →
24 in min; combined 2 / day aggregate across all trout + landlocked salmon; 'America's Lucerne'; classic ice-fishing destination
Landlocked Atlantic salmon regulations →
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 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 Lake Willoughby?: Lake Willoughby carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Lake trout and Landlocked Atlantic salmon. One of them reads: "Lake trout 24 in min; landlocked salmon (stocked) 17 in min; brook + brown + rainbow + lake trout + landlocked salmon = combined 2 / day aggregate; brook trout + rainbow smelt forage; one of the most scenic deep-water lakes in New England, often called 'America's Lucerne'; classic ice-fishing destination." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Willoughby?: Yes. Lake Willoughby 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 Lake Willoughby; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Vermont rules.
Do Lake Willoughby's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Willoughby 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 Lake Willoughby?: Lake trout and Landlocked Atlantic salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Willoughby, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

← Back to Vermont regulations overview