Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day is Jan. 27
January 16, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
To celebrate Free Ice Fishing Day, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will hold an Ice Fishing Festival for kids and others new to ice fishing at Elmore State Park on Saturday, Jan. 27. File photo of a youngster and a fresh catch of a crappie courtesy Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Vermont’s annual statewide Free Ice Fishing Day is Saturday, Jan. 27, and Elmore State Park will be the venue for this year’s Ice Fishing Festival on the same day.
According to the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, Free Ice Fishing Day is held on the last Saturday in January as a way to give new ice anglers an opportunity to try ice fishing before purchasing equipment. Anyone, however, may ice fish on any waterbody open to ice fishing statewide without a fishing license on that day.
In addition, the department holds an ice fishing festival with free activities for all ages including families with kids. The Ice Fishing Festival at Elmore State Park will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “The Ice Fishing Festival typically draws between 500-700 participants for a day of fishing, skill-building and community,” said state Education Specialist Corey Hart. “The annual event is moved around the state each winter, and we are excited to be back at Lake Elmore for 2024.”
File photo of youngsters catching a bluegill courtesy of Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Vermont Fish & Wildlife staff, as well as instructors from Vermont’s Let’s Go Fishing Program will be on hand to teach ice fishing skills such as knot-tying, baiting and using an ice fishing rod, and most importantly, how to stay safe on the ice. They will also discuss fishing regulations and fish identification.
The schedule is completed as Fish & Wildlife staff run a fish fry station to cook up participants’ catch. There also will be plenty of hot chocolate. Participants are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather, and ice cleats are strongly recommended.
“Ice fishing is one of the most accessible forms of fishing and can be a great way to introduce people to how much fun fishing can be,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick. “This festival will demonstrate that ice fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s also a great way to spend some time outdoors with friends and family. You can skate, sled, make a snow fort, and have a cookout – all while waiting for the flags on your tip-ups to signal when you’ve caught a fish.”
Fishing equipment will be available to borrow at Lake Elmore for anyone who does not have gear.
Registration for the Lake Elmore event is required and can be done online in advance here or upon arrival. Registering in advance will save time to allow participants to get out on the ice faster. More ice fishing information is online including other locations for ice fishing and a virtual ice fishing clinic on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
Behind the scenes at a virtual ice fishing video shoot courtesy Vermont Fish & Wildlife