What special fishing regulations apply at Mettawee River?

Mettawee River carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Brook trout and Brown trout. One of them reads: "Wild brown trout + stocked rainbow; classic VT trout fishery; 10-16 in protected slot (release all 10-16 in), 2 trout / day, only 1 over 16 in." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Mettawee River?

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

Do Mettawee River's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Mettawee River 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 Mettawee River?

Brook trout and Brown trout have a water-body-specific rule on Mettawee River, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

2026 regulation year

Mettawee River 2026 — Vermont Fishing Regulations

Vermont statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

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

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State-level special regulation

Wild brown trout + stocked rainbow; classic VT trout fishery; 10-16 in protected slot (release all 10-16 in), 2 trout / day, only 1 over 16 in
Source: Vermont special-water list

Per-species rules on Mettawee River

Brook trout regulations →
10-16 in protected slot (release all 10-16 in), 2 trout / day, only 1 over 16 in
Brown trout regulations →
10-16 in protected slot (release all 10-16 in), 2 trout / day, only 1 over 16 in

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 Mettawee River?: Mettawee River carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Brook trout and Brown trout. One of them reads: "Wild brown trout + stocked rainbow; classic VT trout fishery; 10-16 in protected slot (release all 10-16 in), 2 trout / day, only 1 over 16 in." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Mettawee River?: Yes. Mettawee River 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 Mettawee River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Vermont rules.
Do Mettawee River's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Mettawee River 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 Mettawee River?: Brook trout and Brown trout have a water-body-specific rule on Mettawee River, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

← Back to Vermont regulations overview