The Department maintains approximately 168 access areas, all of which are free. One hundred thirty-one access areas have concrete or gravel boat ramps, another 21 provide non-motorized boat access, and the remainder provide shore fishing access. Additionally, the Department has assisted in constructing approximately 10 municipal, state, or federal facilities throughout the state.

Ideally all the docks are in by May 1st and removed after Thanksgiving weekend, but climatic conditions may cause the dates to vary.

http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/vhs.cfm

In 1991, the State of Vermont enacted H.114, an Act Relating to Fishing Areas, Act. No. 10 (1991 Sess.). The Act required that the Commissioner of the Fish and Wildlife Department "develop a plan for making the fishing access program in the state of Vermont accessible to people with mobility impairments." The results of this plan are fishing platforms designed and installed by the Department with the intention of providing shore fishing access to anglers of all ages and those with physical limitations. Additionally, all new docks will follow proposed ADA guidelines.

Funding for the access areas comes from both state and federal sources in what is considered a user pay system. The access program historically used only angler license dollars, which were used to purchase and construct the large majority of the Department’s access areas. More recently, the Department has been able to utilize a portion of the state’s motorboat registration fees to pay for maintenance and infrastructure improvements. State dollars (fishing license revenues and motorboat registration fees) are used to leverage federal money from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal funds are generated through an excise tax on fishing tackle or a motorboat fuel tax. The US Fish and Wildlife Service will pay for up to 75% of eligible motorboat access expenditures. In short for every $100 the access program spends the US Fish and Wildlife Service will reimburse the Department $75.

To find more on access area expenditures, take a look at the Department’s Annual Legislative Reports.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department maintains 168 access areas that are either owned or leased by the Department. The access area program uses contracted vendors and the Department of Corrections Community Restitution Program to maintain individual areas.

You can either contact your local warden if there is a legal issue or fish and wildlife violation, or the Department headquarters in Waterbury (802-241-3700) if it is a facility or operation problem.

Access areas are provided for anglers, boaters, hunters, and trappers. Department access area rules help guide users on what activities are allowed. The rules have a list of authorized uses that are listed in order of priority; including angling, launching of motorized boats, hunting and trapping and vehicles associated with those uses, launching of non-motorized vessels, and operation of ATVs and snowmobiles ONLY when used in conjunction with ice fishing. Prohibited activities cover a wide range and it is suggested that you refer to the access area rules Section 5.0 to review the entire list.

If an individual or group wishes to engage in an activity that is not specifically addressed in the access area rules, one can apply for a special use permit requesting permission to conduct that activity. For example you can park for up to 72 hours at an access area when engaging in authorized uses. However, if you would like to park there for a longer duration, you can request a special use permit to do so. Requests should be made to the Department at least 30 days in advance.

No, but there are numerous marinas nearby Department access areas and the Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation has a marina at Burton Island State Park.

The Natural Resources Board adopts rules regulating, among other things, the use of public waters and lake levels. You can view all public waters rules, which help protect normal uses on all lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

You can search for public boat ramps located at state parks here.