Lake Champlain Reciprocal Fishing License
This reciprocal agreement allows for an angler to fish with either a Vermont or New York fishing license in portions of Lake Champlain as described by law. A brief summary is provided below, which describes the type of license you will need based on the portion of Lake Champlain being fished.
- A Vermont or New York fishing license can be used to fish in the "Main" and "South" portions of Lake Champlain between New York and Vermont
(blue shaded area in map to the right). - If fishing within Vermont's state borders of the "Four bays" you will need a Vermont fishing license. If fishing within New York's state borders of the "Four bays" you will need a New York State fishing license.
- A New York State Fishing license is required to fish in South Bay
(yellow shaded area in map to the right). - A Vermont Fishing License is required to fish in the Inland Sea, Mallett's Bay, Missisquoi Bay and "The Gut"
(red shaded area in map to the right).
Vermont and New York Law on Reciprocal Agreement
Law regarding this reciprocal agreement can be found at the following links:
(links leave DEC website)
Complying with Appropriate State Fishing Regulations
Anglers are cautioned that while either license is valid to fish in the Vermont and New York portions of Lake Champlain, each state has its own restrictions pertaining to species restrictions, length limits and seasons, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to know which state your are fishing in and abide by the fishing restrictions of that state.
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