Trout season to open this weekend

Vermont’s trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 11. Despite lingering snow cover in some areas of the state, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife (VTFW) Department says anglers can still have fun and be successful early in the season if keeping a few strategies in mind. State fisheries biologist Shawn Good notes that finding a small to medium low-elevation river or stream that is not too murky from spring runoff can be key. Trout are coldblooded and may be slow to bite, especially with cold water temperatures, so it is important that they can also see the bait, lure or fly.

Larger baits can often be more effective for enticing early-season trout into biting. Spin-anglers should try nightcrawlers, egg imitations or bright colored spoons and spinners. Fly anglers may find success in the early season by drifting large, more visible flies such as wooly buggers, streamers or San Juan worms along the bottom in slower pools and runs.

Trout will often hold close to the bottom in the deeper areas of streams during high flow conditions to conserve energy. Choose locations and tactics that allow a slow retrieval right along the bottom. Focus on deep holes behind current breaks created by big boulders, downed trees or logjams where trout may be resting. If possible, approach the hole from downstream as trout will often orient themselves facing the current.

While Vermont offers excellent and diverse fishing opportunities for wild trout, stocking also occurs in many lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers where wild trout populations are low or absent. This generally happens each year once the ice has melted and following spring runoff.

Good also reminds anglers to check the VTFW website frequently as updates are made to the trout stocking page. The page is updated several times weekly; click “see what’s been stocked” to stay informed as spring progresses.

Also, anglers not intending to keep trout don’t need to wait for opening day to get on the water. Nearly all waterbodies are now open to catch-and-release fishing for trout in Vermont outside of the normal harvest season. Just keep in mind that it is illegal to use any kind of live bait during the catch-and-release season. Only artificial lures and flies are allowed.

Anglers are advised to check the 2026 Vermont Fishing Guide and Regulations which is available free from license agents, and it is on the VTFW website. For any river, stream, lake or pond not listed in the index of rivers and streams or index of lakes and ponds, refer to general fishing regulations available at https://www.eregulations.com/vermont/fishing/table-1-general-fishing-reg....