Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day is Jan. 28

Vermont’s fourth annual Free Ice Fishing Day is set for Saturday, Jan. 28, and will be celebrated by a fun-filled ice fishing festival in Springfield.

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2017-01-24 / Sports Print article Print Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day is Jan. 28 Vermont’s fourth annual Free Ice Fishing Day is set for Saturday, Jan. 28, at Hoyts Landing in Springfield. — COURTESY Vermont’s fourth annual Free Ice Fishing Day is set for Saturday, Jan. 28, at Hoyts Landing in Springfield. — COURTESY SPRINGFIELD — Vermont’s fourth annual Free Ice Fishing Day is set for Saturday, Jan. 28, and will be celebrated by a fun-filled ice fishing festival in Springfield. Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day, which takes place each year on the last Saturday in January, enables both residents and non-residents to go ice fishing on any legal waterbody in Vermont for the day without a license. “Free ice fishing day creates opportunities for a range of anglers, and really helps to showcase the great ice fishing we have here in Vermont,” said Louis Porter, commissioner of Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “From those looking to try out the sport for the first time, to non-residents who may want to sample some of Vermont’s quality fisheries, the day offers full accessibility to great ice fishing fun across Vermont.” Vermont’s Ice Fishing Festival also occurs annually in concert with Free Ice Fishing Day, and the 2017 celebration will be held at Hoyts Landing on the Connecticut River in Springfield. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free and open to anyone interested in ice fishing. Staff from Vermont Fish & Wildlife, instructors from the Let’s Go Fishing Program, and volunteers from the University of Vermont’s Wildlife and Fisheries Society will be on hand to teach ice fishing basics including knot tying, drilling holes, rigging and using an ice fishing rod, setting tip-ups and preparing for a day on the ice. Fishing regulations and fish identification will be covered as well. Department staff will also operate a fish fry station to cook up participants’ catches, and there will be other refreshments on hand including plenty of hot cocoa. Several warming huts will be available for anglers to use. “The ice fishing festival is a free, easy and fun way for newcomers to get started in ice fishing, and also a great opportunity for kids and families to enjoy time together outdoors,” said Nicole Meier, information and education specialist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “We encourage people of all ages to come out for the day, wet a line, try some fresh-cooked, local fish and enjoy all that Vermont has to offer during the winter.” Vermont Fish & Wildlife will lend ice fishing equipment to attendees for the day, but participants may bring their own tackle if they wish. Participants are advised to dress warm and wear ice cleats if possible. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required, and can be completed online at www.vtfishandwildlife.com. For more information, contact Nicole Meier at 802-318-1347 or nicole.meier@vermont.gov. To learn more about ice fishing in Vermont or to purchase a fishing license, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.