4th Annual Missisquoi River Fishing Festival

On Thursday, July 23rd, 2026 Franklin County NRCD hosted our 4th Annual Missisquoi River Fishing Festival with the support of our partners: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Champlain Valley Trout Unlimited, Enosburgh Conservation Commission, Missisquoi River Basin Association, Lake Champlain Basin Program, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

This family-friendly event invites people of all ages to celebrate fishing in Franklin County. Featuring a variety of stations, activities, hands-on fishing practice, and educational opportunities, the Fishing Festival highlights the importance of sustainably enjoying and stewarding our rivers. The event emphasizes the vital role anglers, their families, and riverfront communities play in protecting these natural resources for future generations. We were pleased to have the FNESU LEAPS Enosburgh Summer Camp, which has a strong focus on fishing, participate in the event, stations, and raffles for the second year. Their participation gave students a chance to connect with local fishing experts and professionals, deepening their understanding of the sport and the importance of river stewardship. We also hosted a raffle table in which all kids who attended took home fishing gear to keep the fun going all summer!

It was a great day on the Missisquoi River with various stations to learn including:

Fish ID and Surveys with US Fish & Wildlife

Connecting Streams with US Fish & Wildlife

Knot Tying and Fly Tying with Trout Unlimited

Fly Fish Casting with Trout Unlimited

Fishing in the Missisquoi with Enosburgh Conservation Commission & Franklin County NRCD

Community Art Station with Franklin County NRCD

Let's Go Fishing Backyard Bass with Franklin County NRCD

Let’s Go Fishing Build a Pond with Let’s Go Fishing Instructor

Land and Water with Missisquoi River Basin Association

Fish Printing (Gyotaku) with Lake Champlain Basin Program

Ask Your Game Warden with VT Fish & Wildlife

Raffle Table with Enosburgh Conservation Commission and Franklin County NRCD

Thank you to everyone who came out to volunteer, fish, learn, and celebrate the river that runs through our communities!

This event received funding from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee who collaborates with partners and communities to promote activities that protect, enhance, and encourage enjoyment of our rivers.

Resources to learn more:

Fishing Resources from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/fish

Conservation Resources from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/conserve

Resources from the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program from the US Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/program/partners-fish-and-wildlife

Resources from Trout Unlimited - Champlain Valley Chapter: https://vttu.org/

Information on Fishing Licenses: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/licenses-and-lotteries/license-center

Information on Fishing Licenses for members of Vermont state recognized tribal citizens: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/newsroom/vermont-state-recognized-tribal-citizen-licenses-available-in-2021