Vermont Free Ice Fishing Day 2021

 

This year's Vermont free ice fishing day is Saturday, January 30, 2021. On Vermont free ice fishing days, anyone, resident or nonresident, may go fishing in Vermont without a fishing license.

Due to COVID restrictions this year, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VFWD) is unable to host its normal in-person Ice Fishing Festival that is normally held on Free Fishing Day. In place of that, VFWD created a Virtual Ice Fishing Festival that will give anglers the opportunity to learn about ice fishing basics.

According to a 2019 VFWD angler survey:

• Yellow perch, northern pike, and lake trout were the three most preferred species when fishing through the ice
• A majority of anglers rated the quality of fishing in Vermont as good or excellent
• Crowding at access areas and overall access to fishing was not seen as a significant problem in Vermont. 

source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Ice Fishing Information

Lake Trout | credit: USFWS

Ice fishing is one of the most popular winter time outdoor activities in New England. This article includes a brief overview of the sport and provides a variety of resources for ice fishing enthusiasts.

Unlike many other forms of freshwater fishing, this pastime can be enjoyed by novice anglers of varying ages and skill levels.

Ice Fishing Safety

For anglers, safety is of utmost importance. A basic knowledge of ice conditions and winter weather is essential before venturing out.

For beginners and others, a variety of excellent resources are available online. Mass Wildlife offers tips on how to stay safe on the ice. New Hampshire Fish and Game has online resources including ice fishing in New Hampshire as well as a printable safety on ice brochure. Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) provides a webpage on ice fishing basics.

Gear, Techniques, Locations

In addition to safety and ice fishing basics resources, most state fish and game agencies offer fishing guides or other publications with information on license requirements, fishing regulations, species identification, equipment, fishing techniques, locations, maps, and other subjects.

Free Fishing Weekends

Several New England states offer free fishing days during the ice fishing season:

Maine will offer a free fishing weekend February 15-16, 2020

New Hampshire offers two free fishing days each year, on the first Saturday in June, and the third Saturday in January.

Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife usually hosts a free ice fishing day on the last Saturday in January.

Camden Winterfest 2020

The annual Camden Maine Winterfest will be held from January 31 – February 9, 2020.

The multi-day festivities will include snow sculptures and ice carving contests, as well as the U.S. National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl.

A polar plunge and freestyle skiing competitions are also part of the event, not to mention a snow-plow parade, a concert and dance, and a Maine Mardi Gras theme.

The 2020 Winterfest will include outdoor and indoor activities throughout downtown Camden, the Camden Public Library and the Camden Snow Bowl, including ice carving, a polar plunge, CamJam competition, concert, movies and more.

Started in 2013, Camden Maine's Winterfest is a weeklong celebration of winter.

For more information on the Camden Winterfest, visit www.camdenmaineexperience.com.

Christmas In New England

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse Maine | credit : NPS

Since the colonial period, Christmas has been a special time in New England. This article takes a brief look at Christmas traditions, events, things to do, and trip ideas for Christmas in New England.

Traditions

The region's natural beauty and wealth of resources have played a major role in shaping America's Christmas traditions.

Christmas traditions associated with New England include sleigh rides, ski retreats, Christmas tree farm tours, cranberry sauce, pies, seafood, and others.

Food and Drink

Food is a big part of Christmas in New England. There are usually plenty of main courses such as turkey, ham or even Maine lobster, accompanied by potatoes, winter squash, cranberry sauce, and other traditional foods. For dessert, pies are often served, especially apple, blueberry, and pumpkin. At breakfast, Vermont maple syrup is an essential topping for pancakes or waffles.

Outdoor Activities

During the Christmas season, there is no shortage of outdoor things to do in New England. Enthusiasts can enjoy skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, hiking, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and other cold weather activities. Holiday train excursions are another option for seeing the outdoors.

Along the coast, winter boat excursions offer unique views of waterfronts, historic landmarks, wildlife, and other sites. For birdwatchers, there are numerous Christmas Bird Counts held throughout New England.

Destinations

New England's diversity is part of its attraction. There are so many unique areas that are unlike anything else nearby.

Maine, the largest New England state, offers an array of experiences. There are isolated wild lands, quaint coastal towns, and many other settings.

Nearby, Massachusetts is another state with a range of settings for Christmas. Visitors can enjoy an urban holiday in Boston, celebrate in a coastal town, or explore the western part of the state.

In Vermont and New Hampshire, visitors can enjoy incredible scenery and a quiet atmosphere. Vermont has winter attractions such as the Green Mountains, ski areas, hiking trails, Lake Champlain ice fishing, top notch spas, and more.

In New Hampshire, nature lovers and outdoor adventurers can explore the White Mountains or ski one of the most extensive networks of cross-country ski trails in the East. Located near Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume Gorge is one of the state's most popular natural attractions. In Portsmouth, the Festival of Trees includes a spectacular display of lights.

Rhode Island, the smallest New England state, has plenty of things to do during the Christmas season. Christmas In Newport, a month long celebration, includes traditional lighting, mansion tours, and much more. While in Newport, visitors can take a boat tour to see seals, lighthouses, and waterfront views. Rhode Island also has lots of beaches where families can enjoy a winter walk.

In Connecticut, there are plenty of cities and coastal communities to visit. Favorite destinations include Mystic, New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Greenwich, or other towns. Annual winter events include Winterfest Hartford, Holiday Light Fantasia (with more than 1 million lights), and the Gingerbread Festival in South Windsor.

Related Information

Where is New England?

New England Facts

Local Foods