Vermont may be landlocked, but its rivers, lakes, and ponds offer serious fishing opportunities — and spearfishing is part of that picture, provided you follow the rules closely. Unlike many states where spearfishing is either broadly permitted or flatly banned, Vermont operates under a targeted regulatory framework that allows spearing only for specific species, in designated waters, during defined seasons, and with the right license in hand.
Before you grab a spear and head to Lake Champlain or any other Vermont waterbody, you need to understand exactly what the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department allows. Getting it wrong can mean fines, license suspension, or worse. This guide walks you through every layer of Vermont’s spearfishing regulations so you can fish legally and confidently.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Vermont?
Yes — spearfishing is legal in Vermont, but only under specific conditions. It is not a free-for-all activity, and the regulations are more restrictive than many anglers expect. The state draws a clear line between methods, licenses, locations, and target species.
Under Vermont law (10 V.S.A. Appendix § 107), a person holding a hunting or combination license may take fish by handheld spear or speargun in accordance with § 122, which sets forth the list of species that may be taken, the season, and the waters where those fish species may be taken.
A handheld spear is defined as a manually powered spear used from above the water’s surface, while a speargun is a pneumatic or rubber band powered device with a line not to exceed 20 feet attached to a spear, used from below the water’s surface. Spearguns must be loaded and discharged only beneath the surface of the water and may only be used while snorkeling or freediving. Spearing while SCUBA diving is not permitted.
Pro Tip: The SCUBA ban is one of the most commonly overlooked rules in Vermont. If you plan to use a speargun, you must be freediving or snorkeling — not on tank air. Violating this specific rule can result in the same penalties as any other unlawful taking of fish.
The bottom line: spearfishing is a legal method in Vermont, but it is tightly controlled. The combination of license type, permitted species, approved waters, and gear rules means you need to check every box before heading out.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Vermont
Vermont is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so saltwater spearfishing is simply not applicable here. All spearfishing in Vermont takes place in freshwater — rivers, lakes, ponds, and connected waters.
That said, not all freshwater bodies are treated equally under Vermont’s regulations. The state’s most significant spearfishing opportunity is tied to Lake Champlain, which has its own dedicated regulatory table separate from general inland waters. In Lake Champlain, pickerel, northern pike, carp, garfish, bowfin, mullet, shad, suckers, bullhead, and other cull fish may be taken from March 25 to May 25 by shooting and spearing in areas other than spawning grounds designated under Vermont law.
For the purposes of the Lake Champlain spearing provision, Lake Champlain includes all connected waters at the same level. This matters because some bays and inlets that feed the lake may fall under the same seasonal window.
Outside of Lake Champlain, spearing in Vermont’s general inland waters is more restricted. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife regulations under § 122 govern which species and which specific waterbodies are open to spearing statewide. If a waterbody is not listed as open for spearing, it defaults to closed for that method. Always check the Vermont eRegulations fishing guide and the Index of Lakes and Ponds before heading out to any specific location.
If you’re curious how Vermont’s freshwater-only framework compares to coastal states, take a look at the spearfishing laws in Florida, where saltwater rules dominate the conversation.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Vermont
This is where Vermont’s spearfishing rules diverge sharply from standard fishing. A regular fishing license is not enough to spearfish legally in Vermont.
A person is required to hold a hunting or combination license to take fish by hand-held spear, spear gun, or shooting. This is a critical distinction. Many anglers assume their standard fishing license covers all legal fishing methods — but for spearing, Vermont requires a hunting or combination license specifically.
A person is required to hold a fishing or combination license to take fish by bow or crossbow, except on Lake Champlain between March 25 and May 25. During that period on Lake Champlain, a person is required to hold a hunting or combination license to take northern pike and pickerel by bow or crossbow.
| Method | License Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld spear or speargun | Hunting or combination license | Standard fishing license is NOT sufficient |
| Bow or crossbow (general inland) | Fishing or combination license | Line must be attached to arrow |
| Bow or crossbow on Lake Champlain (Mar 25–May 25) | Hunting or combination license | For northern pike and pickerel only |
Anyone fishing, in possession of, or transporting fish taken in Vermont waters must be properly licensed and must carry the license on their person. The license must be shown on demand of a state game warden or other enforcement officer, or at the request of the owner of the land on which they are fishing.
Endorsements expired at the end of 2025, and the new endorsement period runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. Anglers need to retake the test and update their endorsement on their license for the new three-year cycle. Check the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website to confirm your license and any required endorsements are current before heading out.
For comparison on how neighboring states handle spearfishing licensing, see the spearfishing laws in New Jersey and the spearfishing laws in Pennsylvania.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Vermont
Vermont does not permit spearing of all fish species. The regulations under § 122 define exactly which fish may be taken by spear, and that list is focused primarily on rough fish and certain sport fish during specific seasons.
In Lake Champlain, the species open to spearing from March 25 to May 25 include pickerel, northern pike, carp, garfish, bowfin, mullet, shad, suckers, bullhead, and other cull fish. These species are targeted in part because of their status as rough fish or, in the case of carp and certain others, their classification as invasive or undesirable species that compete with native game fish.
Cull fish under Vermont regulations include carp, tench, rudd, shad (alewife and gizzard shad), and goldfish. Additional invasive or exotic fish species may be designated by the Commissioner as cull fish.
Game fish — including trout, bass, walleye, and salmon — are not legal targets for spearing under Vermont’s regulations. These species are protected under strict size and bag limits and may only be taken by conventional rod-and-line methods during their respective open seasons. Attempting to spear a protected game fish, even if you catch and release it, constitutes an unlawful taking under Vermont law.
Important Note: Vermont’s spearing regulations for specific inland waters beyond Lake Champlain are listed in the Index of Rivers and Streams and the Index of Lakes and Ponds. Always check the waterbody-specific rules, since those override the general statewide regulations.
Anglers in other Great Lakes-adjacent states face similar species restrictions. The spearfishing laws in Michigan and the spearfishing laws in Minnesota both show how rough fish and invasive species tend to be the primary legal targets in freshwater spearing programs.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Vermont
Vermont’s regulations define legal spearing gear precisely, and deviating from those definitions puts you in violation even if everything else about your outing is legal.
A handheld spear is defined as a manually powered spear used from above the water’s surface. A speargun is a pneumatic or rubber band powered device with a line not to exceed 20 feet attached to a spear, used from below the water’s surface.
Spearguns must be loaded and discharged only beneath the surface of the water and must be used while snorkeling or freediving only. Spearing while SCUBA diving is not permitted. This rule is firm and non-negotiable. Using a tank changes your dive profile and visibility in ways the state considers incompatible with fair-chase and conservation principles.
- Handheld spear: Manually powered, used from above the water’s surface
- Speargun: Pneumatic or rubber band powered, line no longer than 20 feet, used underwater only
- Freediving/snorkeling only: No SCUBA equipment permitted when using a speargun
- Bow and crossbow: Requires a line attached to the arrow; different license rules apply
- Prohibited devices: Explosives, poisons, gill nets, seine nets, set lines, and similar mass-harvest devices are banned statewide
Vermont law prohibits taking fish by means of explosives, placing any drug or poison destructive to fish in any waters, and using or possessing for use any pound net, trap net, seine, snare, gill net, set net, fyke net, set line, fishing otter, trawl, or grapple, or similar device for killing fish.
A person who takes a fish by handheld spear, speargun, bow, or crossbow with line attached to arrow must keep the fish in their possession until the fish is permanently removed from the waters of the state and used or disposed of properly. You cannot spear a fish and release it back into the water — once it’s taken, it must be retained and removed from the water.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Vermont
Even during open seasons, certain areas of Vermont’s waters are completely off-limits to spearing. Understanding these closed zones is just as important as knowing where spearing is allowed.
Spearing in Lake Champlain is prohibited in spawning areas designated under Vermont law, even during the March 25 to May 25 open window. Spawning closures exist to protect fish populations during their most vulnerable reproductive period, and violating these boundaries carries the same penalties as any other unlawful taking.
Waters declared as spawning grounds for game fish are closed to the taking of fish from the second Saturday in April through May 31 annually. These closures apply statewide and affect specific brooks, streams, and tributary waters that are listed by name in the regulations.
Beyond seasonal spawning closures, Vermont also designates certain waterbodies as seasonally closed waters year-round for specific species. Mud Pond in Hyde Park, for example, has been added to the list of seasonally closed waters to protect wild brook trout populations from winter fishing.
Additional restricted zones to be aware of include:
- Designated spawning tributaries listed in Section 6 of Vermont’s fishing regulations
- Waters with waterbody-specific rules in the Index of Rivers and Streams or Index of Lakes and Ponds that override general regulations
- Any posted private land or water access points where the landowner has restricted access
- State-designated fish refuges and protected areas managed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
Regulations for all waterbodies not listed in the Index of Rivers and Streams or the Index of Lakes and Ponds fall under the general regulations, but waterbody-specific regulations listed in those indexes override the general regulations. Always look up your specific target waterbody before heading out.
Vermont’s approach to closed zones is similar to how other northeastern states manage their spearing programs. The spearfishing laws in Virginia and spearfishing laws in Ohio both use designated closed zones tied to spawning seasons and protected species areas.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Vermont
Bag limits and size limits for spearfishing in Vermont follow the same framework as other legal fishing methods for the same species. Taking a fish by spear does not exempt you from the daily bag limits or minimum size requirements that apply to that species in that waterbody.
Possession limits in Vermont are equal to twice the daily bag limits. Fish species with limit restrictions may not be possessed in excess of the possession limits at any time.
For the species most commonly associated with spearing on Lake Champlain, the following general framework applies (as of January 2026 per Vermont Fish and Wildlife regulations):
| Species | Daily Bag Limit (General) | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | Check § 122 / Table 2 | Check Table 2 | Lake Champlain specific rules apply |
| Pickerel | Check § 122 / Table 2 | Check Table 2 | Lake Champlain specific rules apply |
| Carp / Cull Fish | No statewide limit | No size minimum | Subject to cull fish designation |
| Suckers / Bullhead | Check current regulations | Check current regulations | Waterbody-specific rules may apply |
| Panfish (Bluegill, Perch, etc.) | 50 combined (max 25 crappie) | None statewide | Not legal spearing targets |
Under Vermont’s 2026 regulations, bluegill, bullhead, black crappie, white crappie, pumpkinseed, rock bass, and yellow perch now fall under a combined daily limit of 50 fish, of which no more than 25 may be black crappie or white crappie. These panfish species are not legal spearing targets, but their bag limit changes illustrate how Vermont’s overall fishery management is evolving.
Anglers may now only harvest one lake trout per day with a minimum length of 24 inches. Lake trout are not a legal spearing target, but this rule reinforces Vermont’s broader commitment to protecting coldwater game fish populations.
Pro Tip: Because bag and size limits can change from season to season, always verify current limits directly in the Vermont Fish and Wildlife regulations booklet or through the eRegulations Table 1 and Table 2 before your outing. The 2026 regulations booklet is available free from license agents statewide.
For a broader look at how bag and size limits work in spearing-friendly states, the spearfishing laws in Illinois and spearfishing laws in Indiana offer useful regional context.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Vermont
Vermont takes fish and wildlife violations seriously, and the penalty structure reflects that. Whether you’re spearing without the right license, targeting a prohibited species, or operating in a closed zone, you face a range of consequences that go well beyond a simple fine.
Violators will be ticketed and fined, could potentially go through criminal court, and could lose the privilege to fish and hunt in the state. There is a recent change where violations can now be handled in civil, not criminal court, which keeps some matters out of the criminal court system. However, the consequences remain serious regardless of which track a case takes.
Maximum fines have doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 with a potential jail sentence of up to 60 days for a first offense. A second offense brings a maximum fine of $5,000 and a potential jail sentence of up to 180 days. These enhanced penalties took effect under Act 47, signed by Governor Phil Scott.
Violators may also be imprisoned for not more than 180 days, or may face both fine and imprisonment and restitution payments to the Fish and Wildlife Fund.
In addition to court penalties, anyone convicted of illegally taking, destroying, or possessing wild animals must pay restitution into the Fish and Wildlife Fund. In lieu of criminal prosecution for injuring or taking threatened or endangered species, the Agency of Natural Resources can pursue civil enforcement, with civil penalties capped at $42,500 for a single violation.
The point system also applies to spearfishing violations. A person is assessed one point for each fish possessed, taken, transported, bought, or sold in excess of the limits established in statutes or rules. Depending on the violation, the Fish and Wildlife Department will be notified and may suspend your hunting and fishing privileges.
The Commissioner will not reinstate a suspended license until the licensee has successfully completed a remedial course designed to teach correct legal and ethical behavior while hunting, trapping, and fishing in Vermont. The course must be approved by the Commissioner and conducted by the Department, with a fee of $100.
Vermont’s enforcement posture has intensified in recent years. With more anglers out for trout and other species, wardens are actively patrolling to make sure everyone is following the rules. Two of the most common violations wardens watch for are overfishing and fishing without a license — both of which apply equally to spearfishers.
Understanding the penalty framework in Vermont puts the stakes in perspective. If you’re also interested in how other states handle enforcement, the spearfishing laws in Texas and spearfishing laws in Colorado both show how penalty structures vary widely by state.
Vermont’s animal and outdoor activity laws extend well beyond fishing. If you’re navigating other regulations in the Green Mountain State, you may also find these resources helpful: leash laws in Vermont, roadkill laws in Vermont, and kennel zoning laws in Vermont.