The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says swimming at fishing access areas on lakes and rivers is unsafe and people who do it face a fine of over $150.
The state maintains 196 developed fishing access areas around the state and says they are used to launch and retrieve motorboats.
Mike Wichrowski oversees the Fishing Access Area Program. He says, "there's a reason motorboats aren't allowed in swimming areas, and swimming isn't allowed at fishing access areas - it's simply not safe."
The department says the areas were bought and are maintained with money from the sale of fishing licenses and motorboat registrations in addition to a federal excise tax on fishing equipment, tackle and boat gas.
