ELMORE, Vt. (WCAX) – For those looking to get out on the ice – Vermont’s state-wide free ice fishing day is Saturday, January 27th.
The day is geared toward giving new ice anglers an opportunity to try ice fishing before purchasing equipment.
But any angler may ice fish on any water body open to the activity statewide without a fishing license on the day.
To celebrate, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will hold an ice fishing festival at Elmore State Park.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff, as well as instructors from Vermont’s let’s go fishing program, will be on-hand to teach ice fishing skills.
These include knot tying, baiting and using an ice fishing rod, and most importantly, how to stay safe on the ice.
“it’s just seeing people get out on the ice for the very first time,” Corey Hart of Vermont and Fish and Wildlife said. “So, at this particular event we have a lot of people that have never set foot on the ice. So, ice fishing really in that regard is kind of the fun bonus for these folks, just setting a foot on the ice is the big aspect.”
They will also discuss fishing regulations and fish identification. The festival runs from 11 a.m. To 3 p.m.
The event is free and open to all ages.