UPW rules apply to lakes and ponds.

https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/vermont-use-public-waters-rules

American whitewater did a piece as rivers are are little more complex and they access depends on if they are navigable.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/access:vt#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20Vermont's%20navigable%20waters%20are,the%20Vermont%20Natural%20Resources%20Board.

The people who say all water in VT is public have never read the law.