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Do I need a fishing license in Vermont?

Vermont's license age rule, quoted from Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, checked against your age and residency, plus its free fishing days.

The rule in Vermont

Residents and nonresidents 15 and older need a license.

"a person shall not take wild animals or fish without first having procured a license therefor; provided, however, that a person under 15 years of age may take fish in accordance with this part and regulations of the Board, without first having procured a license therefor."

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Vermont Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 105: Licenses, checked October 2026.

Free fishing days

"The Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife may designate two days each calendar year as “free fishing days” for which no license shall be required. One day shall occur in the open water fishing season and one day shall occur during the ice fishing season."

Source: Vermont Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 105: Licenses.

Fishing License CheckVermont

Where will you fish?

Do you live there?

Your age

It depends on your age.

The rule

Residents and nonresidents 15 and older need a license.

"a person shall not take wild animals or fish without first having procured a license therefor; provided, however, that a person under 15 years of age may take fish in accordance with this part and regulations of the Board, without first having procured a license therefor."

Source: Vermont Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 105: Licenses, checked October 2026.

Seniors and exemptions

"A Vermont resident 66 years of age or older may receive one or all of the following licenses for $60.00: (A) a permanent fishing license;"

"A resident owner of lands, his or her spouse, and their minor children may, without procuring a license under this chapter, take fish from the waters therein"

"A nonresident owner of lands, his or her spouse, and their minor children, may without procuring a license under this chapter, take fish from the waters therein, ... except if the lands are posted under provisions other than section 4710 of this title."

Free fishing days in Vermont

No more dated free days are published for this year yet.

"The Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife may designate two days each calendar year as “free fishing days” for which no license shall be required. One day shall occur in the open water fishing season and one day shall occur during the ice fishing season."

Source: Vermont Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 105: Licenses.

A guide to each state's published rule, not legal advice. Rules change; the linked page is the authority.

Each state's own rule, quoted
Residents and visitors
Free fishing days by date

Fishing in Vermont

17 guides, charters and outfitters listed in Vermont.

See Vermont fishing guides

Common questions

Fishing license questions

Residents and nonresidents 15 and older need a license. Source: Vermont Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 105: Licenses.

It depends on the state. Across the 48 states we have checked, a resident needs one from age 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 depending on the state. Nonresidents often start at a different age. Pick your state in the tool for its exact rule, quoted from the state's own page.

A day or weekend when the state lets anyone fish without a license. 41 of the states we have checked publish them. The next ones: New York, Nov 11, 2026; Oregon, Nov 27 to 28, 2026; North Dakota, Dec 26 to 27, 2026. Size, bag and season limits still apply.

In some coastal states, yes; in others the same license covers both, or saltwater anglers sign a free registry instead. Pick a coastal state in the tool to see its own wording.

Yes. It is free, needs no account, and links every answer to the state page it comes from. Always read the state's current rules before you fish.

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