Massachusetts vs Vermont fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Vermont is $12.50 cheaper than Massachusetts. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Vermont is $1 cheaper than Massachusetts. You need a license from age 15 in Massachusetts and in Vermont.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Massachusetts | Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $35.50 | $21 |
| 3 days | $35.50 | $23 |
| 7 days | $55 | $31 |
| 1 year | $55 | $54 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $45 | $28 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Massachusetts | Vermont | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 15 | 15 |
| Senior residents | Resident freshwater fishing license (70 and over): Free (ages 70+) Recreational saltwater fishing permit (resident, 60 and over): Free (ages 60+) | Resident permanent license (66+): $60 (ages 66+) |
| Senior visitors | Recreational saltwater fishing permit (non-resident, 60 and over): Free (ages 60+) | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Wildlands Conservation Stamp (resident): $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp (non-resident): $5 | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Sat, Jan 30, 2027 Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | It depends on the boat and where you fish |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | To End of the license year (exact date not confirmed) |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Massachusetts fishing license · Vermont fishing license
Shared waters
Neither state lists a special agreement for waters shared with the other. Where you fish decides which license you need.
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Massachusetts | Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass Lake Champlain (Vermont waters) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass Lake Champlain (Vermont waters) |
| Trout |
Trout (brook, brown, rainbow, tiger) Lake trout |
Brook, brown and rainbow trout Lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon |
| Walleye |
14" minimum; bag 5 |
Walleye Lake Champlain (Vermont waters) |
| Crappie |
Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch and catfish |
Panfish (yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, bullhead) |
| Catfish |
Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch and catfish |
Panfish (yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, bullhead) Chain pickerel, catfish and other species |
| Northern pike |
28" minimum; bag 1 |
Northern pike Lake Champlain (Vermont waters) |
| Yellow perch |
Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch and catfish |
Panfish (yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, bullhead) Lake Champlain (Vermont waters) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Tiger muskellunge |
Muskellunge |
| Salmon |
Landlocked salmon |
Lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon Lake Champlain (Vermont waters) |
Questions
Is a Massachusetts fishing license valid in Vermont?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Massachusetts or Vermont?
1 day (fresh water): Massachusetts $35.50, Vermont $21. 1 year (fresh water): Massachusetts $55, Vermont $54.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Massachusetts and Vermont?
You need a license from age 15 in Massachusetts and in Vermont.