Vermont announces Trophy Trout stocking

Vermont’s Trophy Trout stocking program for 2024 includes nine river sections and 37 lakes and ponds receiving the 2-year-old trout, some over 18 inches long.

“The Trophy Trout program provides exciting fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels,” Vermont’s director of fisheries Eric Palmer said. “Trophy rainbow and brown trout will be stocked in several rivers as well as East and Otter creeks while trophy brook trout will be stocked into the Deerfield River. Large 2-year-old brookies and rainbows will also be stocked in many lakes and ponds.”

Lake and pond stocking will begin in April as ice clears, while river stocking will begin in May and continue through the month. Anglers can check Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) to see the stocking that has occurred and see the lakes and ponds that are being stocked with trophy trout.

Trout harvest season opens Saturday, April 13 and will continue through October. There is no length limit, and the daily creel limit is two trout for the Trophy Trout stream sections listed here:

• East Creek in Rutland City from the confluence with Otter Creek upstream, approximately 2.7 miles, to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City.

• Lamoille River from the downstream edge of the bridge on Route 104 in Fairfax, upstream approximately 1.6 miles, to the top of the Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax.

• Otter Creek in Danby and Mt. Tabor from the Vermont Railway Bridge north of the fishing access, upstream approximately 2 miles to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Road Bridge (Forest Road #10).

• Missisquoi River in Enosburg and Sheldon, from the downstream edge of Kane Road bridge, upstream approximately 5.7 miles to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.

• Passumpsic River in St. Johnsbury from the top of the Gage Dam upstream to the top of the Arnold Falls Dam. This section includes the Moose River from its confluence with the Passumpsic River upstream to the Concord Avenue bridge.

• Walloomsac River: From the Vermont-New York border in Bennington upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam in Bennington.

• Winooski River in Duxbury and Waterbury from the top of Bolton Dam upstream to the Route 2 Bridge east of Waterbury Village. This section includes the Little River from its confluence with the Winooski River upstream to the Route 2 bridge.