MONTPELIER — Vermont’s state-wide Free Ice Fishing Day is Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Free Ice Fishing Day is held annually on the last Saturday in January. The day is geared toward giving new ice anglers an opportunity to try ice fishing before purchasing equipment or a fishing license, but any angler may ice fish on any waterbody open to ice fishing statewide without a license on Free Ice Fishing Day.
To celebrate Free Ice Fishing Day, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is holding an Ice Fishing Festival at Elmore State Park in Elmore. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages as well as families with kids.
“The Ice Fishing Festival typically draws 500 to 700 participants for a day of fishing, skill-building and community,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “The annual event is moved around the state each winter, and we are excited to be back at Lake Elmore for 2026.”
Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff, as well as instructors from Vermont’s Let’s Go Fishing Program, will be on-hand to teach ice fishing skills. These include knot tying, baiting and using ice fishing rods, tip-ups and other specialized ice fishing gear, and most importantly, how to stay safe on the ice. They will also discuss fishing regulations and fish identification.
Fish and Wildlife staff will operate a fish fry station, serving up samples of locally caught Vermont fish, as well as cooking up participants’ catch, and there will be plenty of hot cocoa on hand. Participants are encouraged 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 Batchelder. “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 loaned for this fun day on the ice, or participants may bring their own.
For more information, go to Upcoming Events on Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
Registration can be completed online in advance, or people may register when they arrive — although registering in advance will enable participants to get on the ice faster.
