Vermont Bans Crappie Sales, Adjusts Panfish Limits for 2026

Vermont anglers heading onto the ice this winter will see several regulation changes take effect beginning January 1, with updates affecting panfish limits, baitfish harvest, and the sale of certain species.

According to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the most notable change for ice anglers is a new ban on the commercial sale of crappie. Both black and white crappie may still be caught for personal use, but selling them is no longer legal anywhere in the state.

Daily limits for panfish have also been adjusted on most inland waters. Bluegill, bullhead, black crappie, white crappie, pumpkinseed, rock bass, and yellow perch are now grouped under a combined daily limit of 50 fish.

Within that total, anglers may keep no more than 25 crappie per day. These limits do not apply to Lake Champlain or the Connecticut River, where existing panfish regulations remain unchanged.

State officials say the new panfish rules are intended to better manage harvest pressure on popular winter fisheries while keeping limits simple for anglers targeting mixed bags through the ice.

Changes to baitfish rules will also affect many ice fishermen who trap or net their own bait. Anglers are now allowed to harvest baitfish through the winter in waters that are seasonally closed following trout season.

In addition, the size of legal minnow traps has been expanded. Traps may now be up to 24 inches long with entrance openings up to 2.5 inches in diameter. Previously, traps were limited to 18 inches with one inch entrances. The larger traps allow anglers to legally target bigger baitfish.

Anyone planning to harvest baitfish beyond December 31, 2025 will need to renew the wild baitfish endorsement on their license. The endorsement is free but requires completing an online study guide and quiz, and it will cover the new three year cycle running from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.

Additional changes impact anglers who sell fish other than crappie. A free fish seller’s endorsement is now required, and sellers must comply with expanded reporting requirements that include documenting the species and size of fish sold.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials encourage anglers to review the full list of updates before heading out this winter. Complete details are available in the 2026 Fishing Guide and Regulations booklet and on the agency’s website.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning outdoor journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outdoor column for the Slidell Independent Newspaper. He also writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Commission’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He is the former host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Show and is on the board of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. Keith contributes to numerous publications both online and in print and prides himself on promoting South Louisiana’s unique fishery. To contact Keith email: keithlusherjr@gmail.com