MONTPELIER—The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announced on April 8 the launch of its new online fishing regulations tool, a platform designed to provide anglers with instant access to Vermont fishing laws as well as information about access areas for lakes, ponds and rivers across the state.
“Fishing regulations are important tools for managing Vermont’s diverse fisheries and meeting the varied desires of the angling public,” said Bernie Pientka, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Given the need for these regulations to be easily accessible to anglers, we developed the online regulations tool by combining our database of information with current technologies to make it faster and easier for anglers to find out when, where and how they can fish in Vermont.”
The internet-based tool provides multiple functions, including the use of an interactive map, which allows users to select any waterbody in the state and instantly view fishing regulations specific to those waters.
The map feature also works in coordination with the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in many mobile devices, allowing users to view fisheries regulations at their current location. “Regulations can also be viewed by selecting a waterbody, town or county from a comprehensive list,” said Pientka. “Regardless of how you might prefer to access the information, the end result is a simple and clear list of fishing regulations for each waterbody that is right at your fingertips. We hope that anglers will take advantage of this convenient tool, whether it be in advance of their next fishing trip or while out on the water.”
While the online fishing regulations tool has been through an initial test-phase and is now live and available to the public, Pientka said that the tool will continue to evolve based on feedback from anglers.
In addition to the online fishing regulations tool, the department aims to develop a mobile fishing regulations application that will work in areas without Internet service, and will add further information to the mapping platform to expand its uses outside of providing fisheries regulations alone.
The new online fishing regulations tool can be accessed at www.vtfishandwildlife.com/cms/one.aspx?portalid=73163&pageid=2530485.
To purchase a fishing license or learn more about fishing in Vermont, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
