MONTPELIER, Vt. - Vermont's "Trophy Trout" stocking program for 2014 includes eight river sections and 15 lakes and ponds receiving the two-year old trout, some over 18 inches long.

"The trophy rainbow and brown trout stocked in the Black, Winooski, Lamoille, East Creek, Missisquoi, Walloomsac, and Passumpsic Rivers as well as Otter Creek provide exciting fishing for many anglers of all ages and skill levels," said Vermont's Director of Fisheries Eric Palmer. "Large two-year old rainbows will also be stocked in 15 additional lakes and ponds to provide excellent fishing opportunities."

Trout fishing opened April 12, and will continue through October 31 this year in the river sections listed below. There is no length limit. The daily creel limit is two trout.

Stocking of the river sections will occur throughout May. Anglers can check Vermont Fish and Wildlife's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) to see the stocking that has occurred. Click on "Fishing" and then "Stocking Schedule."
Black River: along Rt. 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, from Downers covered bridge upstream, approximately four miles, to the next bridge across the river, the Howard Hill Bridge.
Lamoille River: from the downstream edge of the bridge on Route 104 in the Village of Fairfax upstream, approximately 1.6 miles, to the top of the Fairfax Falls Dam in Fairfax.
Otter Creek: in Danby and Mt. Tabor - From the Vermont Railway Bridge north of the fishing access upstream, approximately 2 miles, to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Rd. Bridge (Forest Road # 10).
East Creek: in Rutland City - from the confluence with Otter Creek upstream, approximately 2.7 miles, to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City.

Missisquoi River: in Enosburg and Sheldon, from the downstream edge of Kane Road (TH-3) bridge upstream, approximately 5.7 miles, to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.

Passumpsic River: in St. Johnsbury, from the top of the Gage Dam upstream to the top of the Arnold Falls Dam. This section includes the Moose River from its confluence with the Passumpsic River upstream to the Concord Avenue bridge.
Walloomsac River: From the Vermont/New York border in Bennington upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of Murphy Road) in Bennington.

Winooski River: in Duxbury and Waterbury, from the top of Bolton Dam upstream to the Route 2 Bridge east of Waterbury Village. This section includes the Little River: from its confluence with the Winooski River upstream to the Route 2 bridge.

A portion of the annual stocking of trout in these waters will also be trophy trout: Amherst Lake (Plymouth), Black Pond (Hubbardton), Echo Lake (Plymouth), Holland Pond (Holland), Kent Pond (Killington), Knapp Pond #1(Reading-Cavendish), Lake Paran (Bennington-Shaftsbury), Lake Raponda (Wilmington), Lake Rescue (Ludlow), Lake Shaftsbury (Shaftsbury), McIntosh Pond (Royalton), Mill Pond (Windsor), Miller Pond (Strafford), Stoughton Pond (Weathersfield), Sunset Lake (Brookfield).

Standard fishing regulations apply to these lakes and ponds. For details, see the "2014 Vermont Hunting, Fishing & Trapping LAWS and GUIDE," available where licenses are sold.

Vermont fishing licenses are available statewide from agents and on Fish and Wildlife's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

Media Contacts: Rich Kirn, 802-485-7566; Eric Palmer, 802-751-0107