What special fishing regulations apply at Otter Creek?

Otter Creek carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike, and Brown trout. One of them reads: "VT's most extensive warm-water river fishery; smallmouth + largemouth + walleye + northern pike + chain pickerel; 10 in min smallmouth + largemouth + 5 / day combined; statewide April 14 – June 14 C&R only spawning closure applies." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Otter Creek?

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

Do Otter Creek's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Otter Creek 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 Otter Creek?

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

2026 regulation year

Otter Creek 2026 — Vermont Fishing Regulations

Vermont statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Otter Creek carries 5 special-regulation overlays on top of Vermont's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike, 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

VT's most extensive warm-water river fishery; smallmouth + largemouth + walleye + northern pike + chain pickerel; 10 in min smallmouth + largemouth + 5 / day combined; statewide April 14 – June 14 C&R only spawning closure applies
Source: Vermont special-water list

Per-species rules on Otter Creek

Smallmouth bass regulations →
10 in min, 5 / day combined; April 14 – June 14 statewide C&R only; VT's most extensive warm-water river fishery
Walleye regulations →
18 in min, 3 / day; spring tributary spawning run March – April for Lake Champlain walleye
Northern pike regulations →
20 in min, 5 / day; Vermont's most extensive warm-water river fishery
Brown trout regulations →
Combined trout no more than 2 on the Vermont Railway bridge reach, no minimum; warm-water river with wild + stocked browns

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 Otter Creek?: Otter Creek carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Vermont's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike, and Brown trout. One of them reads: "VT's most extensive warm-water river fishery; smallmouth + largemouth + walleye + northern pike + chain pickerel; 10 in min smallmouth + largemouth + 5 / day combined; statewide April 14 – June 14 C&R only spawning closure applies." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Otter Creek?: Yes. Otter Creek 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 Otter Creek; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Vermont rules.
Do Otter Creek's special rules replace Vermont's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Vermont's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Otter Creek 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 Otter Creek?: Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike, and Brown trout have a water-body-specific rule on Otter Creek, each linking to its full Vermont regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Vermont limits.

← Back to Vermont regulations overview