Free this weekend: State parks, historic sites, fishing
June 9, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Vermont’s summer Free Fishing Day and the Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival are this Saturday, June 11. It’s also opening day of Vermont’s bass fishing season. Photo by John Hall, Vermont Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
This Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12, are Vermont Days with free entry to Vermont State Parks and State Historic Sites and Free Fishing Day on Saturday.
State departments of parks, fish and wildlife, along with tourism and marketing bill the weekend as an opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors by visiting a state park, exploring historic sites, or trying fishing without needing a license.
“We encourage visitors and residents alike to enjoy free admission at these wonderful destinations,” said Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham. State parks and historic sites will have free admission both days this weekend.
Saturday is also opening day for bass season. Anyone can fish the state's streams or lakes without a license. "Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity for an experienced angler to be a mentor to friends who have not gone fishing before," said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick. “A day on the water could lead to a lifetime of great experiences and healthy local food.”
Special events around the state include:
The Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station. Designed for young anglers and families, this free event offers basic fishing instruction, free fishing equipment to borrow, and the chance for kids to catch trout in the hatchery pond. No prior fishing experience is needed. More information about fishing in Vermont is online at vtfishandwildlife.com.
Waterbury Center State Park hosts a special event Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. when the Green Mountain Brass Band visits for a free concert. With more than 20 brass and percussion musicians, the band plays a variety of traditional and contemporary music, classics, show tunes, pop, jazz, rock, and marches.
The Justin Smith Morrill Historic Site in Strafford holds a free open house and “Jack in the Beanstalk” puppet show from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday; free ice cream, tours of the Morrill Gothic Revival-style home and gardens; show by No Strings Marionette Co. at 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Morrill Homestead.
More information is online at vermontdays.com.