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Ice fishing is popular and a lot of fun. Each winter thousands of anglers venture onto Vermont’s frozen lakes seeking pan fish for the dinner table as well as trophy-size lake trout and northern pike. And, each winter, there are ice-related accidents often caused by poor judgment or poor decisions based on inadequate information. 
 Ice Safety Tips

Ice Shanties Must Be Removed from Ice, March 29th
 WATERBURY, VT – Cold weather may have extended ice fishing on some Vermont lakes, but a state law requires that ice fishing shanties must be removed from the ice no later than Sunday, March 29^th.  The same Vermont law requiring the name and address of the owner be on an ice shanty also requires that the shanty be removed before the ice becomes unsafe or loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March (the 29^th this year), whichever comes first.  The fine for leaving your ice fishing shanty on the ice can be up to $1,000, and shanties may not be left at state fishing access areas. 
 

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Winter Activities (General)

Ice Fishing Shanties for Rent

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Bait and Tackle Shops

Holiday Harbor Lodge
8369 US Route 2 North Hero VT. 05474
Phone: 802-372-4077
Email: holidayharbormotel@yahoo.com
Web: www.holidayharbormotelvt.com 

Village Inn of East Burke 
Box 186, E. Burke, VT  05832
Phone 802-626-3161
Email:  villginn@yahoo.com 
Web: http://www.villageinnofeastburke.com/
Pages/The%20Guide%20Service.html

Martin's General Store
Highgate Springs, VT. 802-868-4459
www.bronzebackguideservice.
com/Shantys.php

Barrows Point
Panton, VT. 802-475-2350

Hog Island
West Swanton, VT. 802-868-4806

 At Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife
or
Locate an Agent   PDF File

Fishing Seasons

Vermont Road Map



New Rule to Help Prevent Spread of Fish Disease

Emergency Regulation on Baitfish to Help Prevent Spread of Deadly Fish Virus

 Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board has enacted a new Emergency Rule in response to a deadly new fish disease known as Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) that is rapidly spreading through the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes.  The new rule affects baitfish use in Vermont and is designed to proactively head off the spread of VHS and other fish diseases to the state’s waters.
VHS is a serious fish disease recently discovered in the Great Lakes.  The disease causes the hemorrhaging of fish tissues and internal organs and can kill tens of thousands of fish in a single event.  The disease is currently known to affect 37 species of fish. Since there is no vaccination or cure, the disease cannot be controlled, only contained.
The Emergency Rule, signed into law on October 23, 2007 will be effective for 120 days, expiring on February 19, 2008.  The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board has also begun the process of reviewing a permanent regulation change that would take the place of the emergency rule after it expires.  Hearings to gather public input and comment will be held throughout the state prior to adopting the permanent rule.

 A summary of the emergency regulation is provided below.  The complete text of the regulation is available at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_rules.cfm.

 Personal Bait Use Restrictions

 ·         The personal harvest and use of wild fish as bait is prohibited, with the exception of yellow perch and rainbow smelt, which only can be used on the waters from which they were caught.

·         A person may buy, possess, transport, and use only Vermont approved species of baitfish. 

·         Anyone purchasing baitfish must keep and show upon request a receipt for purchases of baitfish from a state-approved commercial bait dealer.  Purchased baitfish can only be used on a single waterbody, and cannot be transported to other waters for use.  Receipts are valid for 48 hours from time and date of sale.  After this, the baitfish may not be used and must be destroyed and disposed of properly.

·         Anglers must not depart waters of the state with baitfish in their possession.

Commercial Bait Dealers - Permitted Activities and Restrictions

 ·         The commercial harvest, sale, and use of wild fish as bait are prohibited, except for those commercial dealers who will be designated as Lake Champlain Zone baitshops who then may only harvest wild bait from Lake Champlain, and only sell bait for use on Lake Champlain.  Any other baitfish sold commercially must originate from a fish hatchery approved by the Commissioner.

·         A Commercial Bait Dealer may buy, possess, transport, and use only approved species of baitfish.

·         A Commercial Bait Dealer must provide each customer with a copy of a receipt containing the following information: 1) A unique receipt identification number, 2) The name of the bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species purchased, 5) quantity purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the bait will be used, 7) signature of purchaser.

·         Receipt forms will be provided to Commercial Bait Dealers by the Fish & Wildlife Department.

·         Commercial Bait Dealers must keep receipts and records of each individual lot of baitfish introduced into their shop for sale.  The records must include the name of seller, address and telephone number of seller, date received, species identification, and number purchased.  The permit holder shall retain the original receipts for at least one year after the date of sale.

 Disposal of water.

 ·         Upon being removed from the water, all watercraft, watercraft trailers, boating or fishing equipment, including water in any bilge, ballast tank, bait bucket, and live well must be immediately emptied and drained of all water.

·         This does not apply to tanks or containers of potable drinking water or other beverages meant for human consumption.

  For more detailed information on the VHS fish disease and how these regulations may apply to you, and how to help prevent the introduction and spread of VHS, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/vhs.cfm
 

LIVE BAIT

Complete List of  Dealers

Big River Dog Supply
Hinesburg, VT.  802-482-3028

Bill's Sports Shop
Grand Isle, VT.  802-372-4531

Tom's Bait & Tackle
Bomoseen, VT. 802-265-8654

Otter Creek Bait Shop
Ferrisburg, VT. 802-475-2493

Steve's Bait Shop
N. Hartland, VT. 802-296-7331

Charlie's Northland Lodge
North Hero, VT. 802-372-8822

Holiday Harbor Motel
8369 US Route 2 North Hero VT. 05474
Phone: 802-372-4077

Guide Services

A  Central Vermont Outfitter                                                                                                               Central Vermont
Ice Fishing, Fishing, Hunting, Snowshoeing
Don DeGraw   
25 Lakeview Road, Orwell, VT. 05760           
Phone: 802-537-4051             
Email: acvo@shoreham.net
Ice fishing for Rainbow & Lake Trout is available from January to March.  Our lake house accommodations put you on the action, so your time can be spent fishing and not traveling.  Services available range from "daily initial set up" to a "fully guided day" on the lake, all ice fishing equipment, heated shelter and bait is provided, so all you have to worry about is catching fish.

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Bassin in the Kingdom                                                                                                           Northeast Kingdom
All Fishing - Fly Fishing - Ice Fishing - Cold water, Warm water
Bill Heft
350 Partridge Lane Danville VT. 05828
Phone: 802-684-3901
Offering services for inland charter fishing, fly fishing and ice fishing in lakes and streams in the Northeast Kingdom. Visit our fly fishing shop in Danville, VT.. Join us on our 18 foot Starcraft for fishing trips on Lake Willoughby, Crystal Lake, Lake Seymour, Caspian, Island Pond and more. All gear is supplied.

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Bronzeback Guide Service                                                            Vermont Islands and Northern Vermont.
Bass Fishing, Charter Boat Fishing, Ice Fishing Shanty Rentals
Lake Champlain Specialist
Captain Gilly Gagner
2934 U S Route 7, Highgate Springs, VT   05460
Phone 802-868-4459
Email: captgil@bronzebackguideservice.com
Web: www.bronzebackguideservice.com
Guided small and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish, and sheepshead fishing on Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog and Waterbury reservoir.  Fully equipped charter and Ice Fishing. Charter services for small and largemouth bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, catfish, and sheepshead fishing on Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, Moore Dam, Lake Carmi, Lake Bomoseen, Lake St. Catherine and Waterbury Reservoir.  Fully equipped charter and Ice Fishing. Lake Champlain ice fishing trips on famous Missisquoi Bay.

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Champlain Valley Guide Service                                                                                                Champlain Valley
Ice Fishing
Bradley Carleton
213 Ferry Road Charlotte VT 05445
Phone: 802-425-4085
Email: champlainvalleyguide@gmavt.net
 Champlain Valley Guide Service provides traditional waterfowling on both public and privately held properties with champion titled callers and the most up to date equipment. We also offer first class ice fishing from heated shanties and spring turkey hunts from stunning vistas throughout the Valley. We emphasize respect and appreciation for the heritage of our region.

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Pickett Hill Guide Service                                                                                                                                    Southern Vermont
Big Game Hunting, Ice Fishing, Backcountry Fishing
George Prouty
P. O. Box 396 Bennington VT. 05201
Phone: 802-442-2317
Email: picketthill@hotmail.com
Web:  www.picketthillguideservice.com
Ice fishing services at many locations in southern Vermont, some with permanent and/or portable shanties, and some only what we can pull on a sled/snowshoe/pack-in.

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Spikehorn Ridge                                                                                              North Central Vermont
Ice Fishing, Snowshoeing, Backcountry Skiing
Miles McCue and Reilly McCue
P.O. Box 135 Washington VT 05675
Phone: 802-439-5836
Email: spikehorn@earthlink.net  
Web: www.spikehornridge.com  
This is for the real fishing enthusiast who just can’t stop fishing regardless of what time of the year it is. Despite the cold temperatures both above and below the ice, winter fishing can be a very productive way to catch Vermont fish. Just let us know what species you would like to catch and we’ll match you up with a waterway that holds the fish that you are after. Enjoy a winter
sunrise or sunset on one of Vermont’s lakes, ponds, or river set backs for the species of your choice. Or, spend a full day packing
in as much winter fishing as you can. *All equipment and food needed for the day will be provided. Full day trips will include a shanty or vehicle  on the ice.

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Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service                                                                        Northern and Central Vermont
Fly Fishing, Ice Fishing, Drift Boat Fishing
21 Thorpe Ave. Ext, St. Albans, VT 05478
Phone 802-527-7671  Fax  802-524-1408
Email: UncleJammerVT@aol.com  
Web: www.unclejammers.com
Come join us for a fully equipped guided fly fishing trip on some of northern Vermont's top trout waters or try your luck at a day of grouse hunting.  We also offer guided big game hunts,  Fly-fishing clinics. and lessons.

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Venture Beyond the Inn Guide Service                                                                                        Northeast Kingdom  
Guided Fly Fishing & Spinning for all species, Ice Fishing, Guided Hunting for moose, turkey, waterfowl and upland birds Snowshoeing, Float trips
George & Loraine Willy
Box 186, E. Burke, VT 05832 
Phone 802-626-3161
Email:   villginn@yahoo.com
Web: www.villageinnofeastburke.com 
Experience charming and comfortable lodging with private baths, fireplace, living room, jacuzzi and guest kitchen.  Catering to the outdoors enthusiasts the inn offers guided hunts, fishing and river excursions.  Skiing at Burke Mountain is just 1 minute up the road! Right on Kingdom Trails with over 100 miles of trails waiting to be challenged.

Ice Safety Tips

In Part From the Burlington Free Press
tips, from the U.S. Coast Guard, Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, fishing groups and other organizations:

STAY SAFE, FOLLOW THESE ICE FISHING SAFETY TIPS
WATERBURY, VT -- Ice fishing is popular and a lot of fun. Each winter thousands of anglers venture onto Vermont’s frozen lakes seeking panfish for the dinner table as well as trophy-size lake trout and northern pike. And, each winter, there are ice-related accidents often caused by poor judgment or poor decisions based on inadequate information.

-- Wait to walk on ice until it is a minimum of 2 inches thick. Many people wait until ice is 4 inches thick. Snowy ice is less sturdy than clear, hard ice.

-- Contact local bait shops and resorts for information on known thin ice areas.

-- River ice is always unsafe. Be extremely cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands, and over reefs and springs. Current almost always causes ice to be thinner over these areas.

-- Currents and weak ice are usually under lake bridges.

-- Carry a pair of ice picks tied together with strong cord and wear them around your neck. You can use the picks to hoist yourself up if you fall through the ice. Holding one in each hand, you can alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make these at home, using large nails, or you can purchase good ones at stores that sell fishing supplies.

-- Avoid alcohol at all costs. It weakens judgment and enhances hypothermia.

-- Avoid driving on ice, but if you do, some safety experts suggest unbuckling your seatbelt and have a plan of action if the vehicle breaks through. Some also suggest driving with windows down and doors ajar for an easy escape. Move your car frequently because parking in one spot for a long time weakens ice. Leave your car or truck on shore. Every year several motor vehicles go through the ice on Vermont lakes, and many people have drowned as a result.

-- Let people know when and where you are going out on the ice. Leave information about your plans with someone -- where you intend to fish and when you expect to return.

-- When going out on the ice, probe ahead with an ice chisel. If the chisel goes through, gingerly turn around and retrace your steps off the ice.

-- Heated fishing shanties must have good ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window or the door part way to allow in fresh air.

-- Wear a personal floatation device and don't fish alone.

-- Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is underway, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.

-- Waves from open water can quickly break up large areas of ice. If you can see open water in the lake and the wind picks up, get off!

-- Carry a safety line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.

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Vermont Outdoor Guide Association
P.O. Box 10
North Ferrisburg, VT. 05473
1 800-425-8747  (802) 425-6211
info@voga.org