Native Fish Coalition Vermont Chapter

05/24/2026

In collaboration with Vermont Fish and Wildlife, NFC is working on a Holistic Stream Assessment. Today NFC board members from Vermont and Massachusetts placed Hobo temperature loggers into a tributary of the Walloomsac River in southwestern Vermont. A special thanks is owed to Jeff Moore of MA NFC and Noah Wein of VT NFC.

The subject stream is a wild trout stream and is not stocked. One goal of the study is to identify factors that cause a relatively abrupt change from a brook trout dominated stream to a brown trout dominated stream. Habitat was impressively diverse and ranging from mountain “step pool” to low grade beaver areas, to very swift and overgrown riffle/pool habitat.

04/27/2026

Visit Vermont NFC May 2nd at the Battenkill Fly Fishing and Arts Festival. We would love to discuss our projects and talk native fish!

04/27/2026

Over the last few years the state of Vermont has been dropping streams from the stocking list. Sometimes streams are dropped because fishing pressure is too low to justify stocking. Sometimes stocking is ended because streams have dense trout populations. NFC has been working with the state to look at habitat factors and limitations in dense stream sections. Excellent habitat can be found in “jungle” sections full of low hanging branches and snags. One challenge is that the exact conditions that facilitate excellent wild native brook trout habitat can appear unattractive to homeowners. This can result in clearing, mowing to the bank and complete habitat loss.

02/17/2026

In terms of native trout rules, NFC submitted written comments to support VTFWD’s proposed rules to add a recently discovered native brook trout pond in northern Vermont to the “Seasonally Closed Waters” list and “Restricted Bait Fish” list. It is good to see that those proposed rules passed! Vermont does not have a lot of fishable native brook trout ponds. Ten ponds are recognized as having fishable populations. Several other ponds have smaller populations. Regardles of the quality of the native brook trout fishery, NFC has placed signs on many of these ponds to discourage the introduction of any bait fish. One of the major threats to Vermont’s brook trout ponds is the introduction of non-native species. Brook trout do not compete well against most other fish species. Changes around plant growth and especially growth of predatory bird populations also create serious threats to Vermont’s wild native pond brook trout.

02/17/2026

https://www.wcax.com/2026/01/01/new-vermont-ice-fishing-regulations-2026/

Ice fishing enthusiasts in Vermont face new regulations starting New Year’s Day, including a ban on selling crappie and updated limits on panfish.

02/17/2026

NFC supported VTFWD around their proposed reduction in total panfish harvest in their native waters. It is nice to see these previously proposed regulation reflected in Vermont’s Fishing Rule Digest. Panfish, although generally abundant, can be threatened by excessive harvest, especially because new technology makes them easier to catch, harvest and even sell.

01/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HVWceC4x9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Lake sturgeon monitoring breakthrough shows promising population recovery - https://www.wcax.com/news/2025/12/30/lake-sturgeon-monitoring-breakthrough-shows-promising-population-recovery/

12/06/2025

The state of the Connecticut has designated new regulations to protect native brook trout. These regulations are in response to clear declines in brook trout fisheries. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F7ozcpHJb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The new 2026 inland sportfish regulations are designed to help protect Connecticut’s Wild Brook Trout population!

Starting January 1, 2026, DEEP will implement updated sportfishing regulations for the Inland district to strengthen long-term conservation protections for Connecticut's native trout species. Currently, there’s a significant decline in brook trout populations due to environmental changes. Brook trout are increasingly vulnerable to warmer climates and habitat changes, making protective measures more crucial than ever.

Key changes to 2026 Inland Sportfishing Regulations:

• 9-inch statewide default minimum length limit for harvest (not applicable to areas subject to catch-and-release regulations or more restrictive harvest limit).
• Three new trout parks, expanding outdoor recreational opportunities: Mashamoquet Brook in Pomfret, Macedonia Brook in Kent, and Kettletown Brook in Southbury.
• Newly designated Class 1 Wild Trout Management Areas (entirely or in portions, read to see the list of areas).

“DEEP’s new trout regulations will provide enhanced protections for wild brook trout while also simplifying statewide trout fishing regulations,” said Pete Aarrestad, Director of the Fisheries Division. “These changes reflect DEEP’s commitment to managing our state’s natural resources for resilience to climate change and providing high-quality and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities.”

Read the full list of 2026 inland sportfish regulation changes: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2025/deep-announces-new-inland-sportfish-regulations-focused-on-conserving-wild-brook-trout

11/16/2025

While Vermont maintains catch and release regulations outside of the regular season, fishing and harvest was noticed today.

11/16/2025

Today NFC checked to see if one our native brook trout sign remained posted. It remains! The sign exists near a popular boat launch. A small brook enters the lake. We were curious to know if the curvert supports fish passage of native species such as brook trout and white sucker. It appears that levels have stabilized in streams and lakes. While the culvert can be perched, it apparently has been supporting fish passage at current water levels. In Vermont, passage between lakes and brooks is not always without risk. However, in the case of smaller brooks the positives typically outweigh the negatives. Large lakes can become wintering habitat for native brook trout and it is crucial for them to move back and forth to meet various life stage needs. In Vermont major floods or droughts can eliminate populations if there is no potential for recolonization .