Fishing is for Everyone

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is here to help everyone have an authentic connection to nature through our many fishing programs and opportunities.

Let’s Go Fishing

These in-person workshops reach 9,000 people from all walks and diverse backgrounds annually with the help of volunteer instructors from a wide range of backgrounds. We offer introductory shore fishing in the summer and ice fishing in the winter, and species-specific programs for experienced anglers.

Fishing Festivals

Our two annual fishing festivals — ice fishing in the winter, and open water fishing in the summer — are open to the public and not to be missed! We regularly draw 500–600 anglers to enjoy each day of workshops, fish fries, and of course great fishing with all gear provided.

Fish Processing Clinics

These hands-on courses give participants the opportunity to fillet or clean a fish and then cook and eat it! They are a great way to get anglers excited about catching their own meals.

Vermont Wild Kitchen

These live and on-line workshops feature delicious recipes, show wild game and fish processing techniques, and pair them with farm fresh or wild edibles in-person and virtually. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for details!

Become a Let's Go Fishing Instructor

If you are passionate about the outdoors and teaching others, then becoming an instructor may be a good fit. You pick the program topics, from aquatic ecology to ice fishing, and we provide the gear at no cost. If you’re a teacher, you can even receive one graduate level credit for the certification course!

Master Angler Program

The Master Angler Program is a fun and challenging program that sets trophy length goals for 33 eligible fish species. There are categories for both adult and youth anglers and if you enter five different species within a calendar year, you will earn Master Angler status and a unique pin for that year.

Fish with a Warden

State Park for the scenic setting and top-notch fishing? Check. Game Warden to answer all your questions? Check. You bring your questions, your gear, and your license, we waive the State Park admission fee, and you get to learn from some of Vermont’s finest.

Public Fishing Access Areas

Fishing Access Areas are a place where folks can park, launch a boat, and get on the water for free — and the public owns over 200 all over Vermont. Currently, more than 45 of our Access Areas meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and we continue to work on improvements to make these places more accessible to anyone interested in fishing or boating.