Also, report shows Hunters Took More than 17,000 Deer in 2024

January is the start of ice fishing season in Vermont, and a forecast of cold weather over the coming week should offer increasing opportunities to safely enjoy this fun and accessible winter activity.

“Ice fishing is generally more accessible than open water fishing,” says Shawn Good, a Fish Biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.  “All you need to do is walk out onto a frozen lake or pond with some simple gear, drill a few holes in the ice, and enjoy being outside with friends and family while you wait for the fish to bite.”

Heading into the weekend ice conditions are variable across Vermont due to recent warm weather.  Anglers should use good judgement, know how to read the ice and test it often, and check with a local outdoor store or other anglers about area conditions when deciding where to fish.  Anglers should always bring a spud bar to test the ice and a set of wearable ice picks for self-rescue, and let someone know where they are going and when they plan to be back. 

“Three to four inches of clear black ice is the minimum for safe ice fishing,” said Good.  “For the kind of cloudy gray ice we get after cycles of freezing, thawing, and re-freezing like we’ve had so far this winter, we recommend anglers look for at least six inches of ice where they plan to fish.”

Some waters at higher elevations and in northern parts of Vermont already have fishable ice.  Many waters in the Champlain Valley and southern Vermont do not yet.  Additionally, some waters that had fishable ice earlier this winter will need several consecutive cold days and nights to re-freeze after this past week’s warm temperatures.

Perhaps most important for both safety and fun Good recommends always going ice fishing with a buddy, or a whole group of friends.

“For many people, ice fishing is as much about being together with friends and relatives as it is about the fish,” said Good.  “I’ve seen families out on the ice with grills, food and hot drinks having a great time.  They set their tip-ups, build snowmen and even skate and play pond hockey between bouts of fishing.”

To learn more about ice fishing techniques, safety and places to fish visit the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s “Ice Fishing Basics” and “Ice Fishing Opportunities” webpages.  For those new to the sport, the department’s “Let’s Go Fishing Workshops” offer opportunities to enjoy ice fishing with an experienced teacher and other new anglers all winter long.

VT Fish & Wildlife at the Yankee Show, Jan. 17-19

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – The annual Yankee Sportsman’s Classic show will be held January 17, 18 and 19 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is inviting you to visit their exhibits and attend their seminars at the show.

“We are looking forward to talking with as many people as possible at the show,” said Interim Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Andrea Shortsleeve.  “It’s a great opportunity for us to share the latest information about fish and wildlife, and it gives people a chance to talk with us about fish and wildlife issues.  Our wardens, biologists and other staff will be at our exhibit.”

The 2025 hunting, fishing and trapping lawbooks will be available at Fish and Wildlife’s exhibit booth.  Hunters, anglers and trappers will also be able to buy their 2025 licenses.

Show hours are Noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.  Learn more about the show at:  http://yankeeclassic.net.

Vermont’s Preliminary Report on 2024 Deer Seasons

Hunters Took More than 17,000 Deer in 2024

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The final number of deer taken in Vermont’s 2024 hunting seasons will not be available for a few more weeks, but the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says the final tally will be a little over 17,200 deer.  Those deer will provide approximately 3.4 million servings of local, nutritious venison.

The buck harvest will be a little over 9,200, which will be down from 2023 (9,848) and the previous 3-year average of 9,533.  The final antlerless deer harvest will be around 8,000, which will be up from the previous 3-year average of 7,188. 

“Season totals were mixed in 2024,” said Nick Fortin, the department’s deer project leader.  “The harvest during the November regular season was down about 10 percent from 2023, and this accounted for all of the decline in the total buck harvest.  Harvests during every other season were up compared to 2023.”

The primary goal of Vermont’s deer management strategy is to keep the deer herd stable, healthy and in balance with available habitat.  “Maintaining an appropriate number of deer on the landscape ensures deer and the habitats that support them remain in good condition and productive,” said Fortin.

The 2024 White-tailed Deer Harvest Report with final numbers will be on Fish and Wildlife’s website in early March.  Beginning in late March, the department will be holding informational hearings to share biological information and to listen to any information people wish to share.