Category Archives: News

News and events around the Lake Champlain Valley of northern New York and Vermont and southern Quebec

2015 ChampBot Challenge

Compete for $2,500 in the ChampBot Challenge

at the 2015 Champlain Mini Maker Faire

The ChampBot Challenge returns to the 4th annual Champlain Mini Maker Faire at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn on September 26 and 27. Registration is now open.

ChampBot

ChampBot

What is the ChampBot Challenge

Build or modify an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) using ‘Champ’ as the theme. The visible portion of your ChampBot, (the part above the water), must bear some resemblance to Champ. Since few people have seen Champ, this is fairly open to interpretation. Champ may be scary, humorous, stylish or all of the above.

ChampBots must be between 3’ and 6’ in length, move under their own power, and cannot present any unsafe conditions for the course monitors should they be required to handle it. Building a ChampBot is your opportunity to show off your technical skills and creativity by creating or modifying a remote controlled robot that represents your interpretation of Champ.

The challenge is to navigate a series of buoys and obstacles on the shoreline of Lake Champlain to earn points and impress the crowd. The organizers encourage entrants to use sound effects, lighting, pyrotechnics and/or visual wizardry to put on a show.

Points will be awarded for design and completion of the course and obstacles. The winner of the $2,500 grand prize will be the bot with the highest total score. Prizes will also be awarded for second and third place, as well as several honorable mention categories.

New this year:

Project Development Awards up to $500 are available for materials based on need and the strength of proposal. Proposals must be submitted by May 24, funds will be awarded by June 16.

“The ChampBot Challenge was a completely new endeavor last year, and it was a lot of fun. We’re excited to see what folks come up with this year, so start working on your bots!” ~ Executive Event Producer Doug Webster.

‘Robots for Kids Too’ were the winners of the first-ever ChampBot Challenge in 2014. Seven teams created homemade ChampBots to navigate the series of nautical obstacles and challenges.

For more information, to register and to apply for funds, visit champlainmakerfaire.com/champbot/.

Vermont Walleye Fishing Starts May 2

Vermont Walleye Fishing

Vermont Fish & Wildlife reminds anglers that some of New England’s best walleye fishing begins with the start of the Vermont’s walleye fishing season on Saturday, May 2.

A range of rivers and lakes across the state of Vermont offer quality walleye fishing opportunities, but anglers should be aware that regulations can vary depending upon which waterway they are fishing.

In all Vermont waters except Lake Carmi, Chittenden Reservoir and the Connecticut River, walleye and sauger have an 18″ minimum length requirement and a three-fish daily limit. Open season runs from Saturday, May 2 to March 15, 2016.

Walleye painting

 

 

Special Vermont Walleye Fishing Regulations:

  1. Lake Carmi: Lake Carmi has a slot limit for walleye because of the lake’s high rate of natural walleye reproduction and high fishing pressure. The minimum length is 15 inches, and all walleye between 17 and 19 inches must be released. The daily limit is five walleye, but only one may be over 19 inches long. The season is open May 2 through March 15.
  2. Chittenden Reservoir: Chittenden Reservoir has special walleye regulations in order to produce large walleye that can help control its over-abundant yellow perch population, and provide anglers with an opportunity to harvest a trophy walleye. The minimum length is 22 inches, the daily limit is two, and the season is open June 1 through March 15.
  3. Connecticut River: Connecticut River walleye fishing rules are set by New Hampshire. No walleye between 16 and 18 inches may be kept and the daily limit is four fish, of which only one may be longer than 18 inches.
Walleye

Walleye

The Northeast Kingdom also offers walleye fishing opportunities in Salem Lake, Island Pond, Clyde Pond, and the Clyde River.

 

Lake Champlain Vermont Walleye Fishing Opportunities

Excellent walleye fishing can also be found each spring in Lake Champlain and its tributaries: the Missisquoi River, Lamoille River, Winooski River, and Otter Creek.

Vermont Record Walleye

Richard Levesque with Vermont’s state record walleye

Vermont’s state record walleye weighed 14.55 lbs. and was caught in Lake Champlain by Richard Levesque of Swanton in 2010.

 

Planning a Vermont fishing trip is easy. Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s 2015 Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide publication includes maps showing lakes and streams as well as fishing access areas and public lands. The guide also lists the fish species found in each body of water and includes the state’s fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold, or by calling Vermont Fish & Wildlife at 802-828-1000. Sections of the publication can also be downloaded from www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

 

To learn more about fishing in Vermont or to purchase a Vermont fishing license, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

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Click the lure to check out the great selection of Rapala lures at WalMart.com

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Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:

Record Fish Highlight Vermont’s 2014 Master Angler Program Results

Vermont’s 2014 Master Angler Program Results

The 2014 edition of the  Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Master Angler program report is highlighted by two new state record fish – both caught in Lake Champlain.

“2014 was a great year for Vermont fishing all around, and the new record fish are a symbol of that, Not only did we continue to see trophy fish entries for many of the well-known species like bass, perch, pike and trout, but we also saw an upswing in the number of entries of more non-traditional fish species like bowfin, carp, and longnose gar. This is yet another indicator of the quality and diversity of Vermont’s fishing opportunities, as well as the enthusiasm of anglers to take on new fishing adventures throughout the state.” ~ Shawn Good, Vermont Fish & Wildlife fisheries biologist 

The two new state records include entries for both the common carp and white perch species.

Darren Ouellette caught the new Vermont record carp while bowfishing on Lake Champlain in Shoreham. The fish weighed in at 44 lbs., 6.8 ounces and measured 41.25 inches in length.

 

Vermont record carp

Darren Ouellette of Shoreham with the new Vermont state record common carp that he harvested while bowfishing on Lake Champlain in 2014. The fish weighed 44 lbs. 6.8 ounces, measured 41.25 inches in length and was entered into Vermont’s popular Master Angler program.

 

The new state record white perch weighed 2 lbs. 9.3 ounces and was 16.6 inches long. It was caught by Anthony Austin while ice fishing on Lake Champlain in St. Albans.

“Along with the new record fish, the Master Angler program had several other highlights from 2014 including 790 trophy fish entries from 164 adult anglers and 63 youth anglers,. In total, 12 youth participants and 23 adult participants achieved Master Angler status by entering trophy fish for at least five different species, and we had a 61-percent release rate which means over half of the trophy fish submitted were released to be caught another day.” ~ Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife

Vermont Master Angler Program

2014 marked the fifth year for the program and saw trophy fish entries from 79 different waterways around the state, and entries from 31 of the 33 species eligible for entry in the program.

While Vermont anglers made up 94% of the participants, the program also saw participants from a other states including New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Texas and Arizona.

 

master angler

2014 Master Angler Pin
Lapel pin awarded to Vermont’s Master Anglers, who caught exceptionally large fish of at least five different species in 2014

“Fishing on its own is a great family adventure, but combining the Master Angler program with that experience is an extra bonus. There isn’t a fishing trip that I take with my son or daughter that doesn’t involve a conversation about the potential to catch a Master Angler fish. It provides additional motivation to get out there and I can’t think of a better way to spend time with my kids.”

“The master angler program adds value to fish species that might otherwise be overlooked. While there are similarities in techniques for various species, they usually exist in very different types of water and that makes accomplishing Master Angler status more difficult than some might assume. You find yourself exploring more, and as a result, learning more about fish and their habitat.”  ~ Jeremy Baker, 2014 Master Angler award recipient

Vermont’s Master Angler program was developed to recognize the achievement of anglers who catch trophy-sized fish in Vermont waters and celebrate the growth and survival of these exceptional fish.

The program also encourages anglers to improve their knowledge of fish habitat and behavior, and to develop the necessary skills to target and catch a wide variety of fish species.

To view the full 2014 Vermont Master Angler program report, browse past fish entries or enter a trophy fish, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/MasterAngler.cfm.

To learn more about purchasing a Vermont fishing license, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/buylicense.cfm.

Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:

Winooski Fish Lift Open

The fish lift at the Winooski One hydroelectric facility on the Winooski River is now operating for the spring season, providing expanded fishing opportunities for anglers.

Winooski Fish Lift

 

Springtime operation of the fish lift on the Winooski River, which begins in March and extends through mid-May, is a collaborative initiative focusing on moving steelhead rainbow trout above the Winooski One Dam and into the next section of the river.

“Lifted steelhead are released into the 1.3 mile section of river above the Winooski Dam and below the next dam, also known as Gorge 18… The Winooski River provides key habitat for a number of Lake Champlain fish species at various times during the year and we do our best to protect fish at sensitive times while also providing quality angling opportunities where we can. It’s definitely a balancing act, but one that is important to the lake, its fisheries and to anglers.” ~ Nick Staats, fisheries biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

In an effort to protect spawning walleye and endangered lake sturgeon, fishing is not allowed between March 16 and May 31 on the section of the Winooski River below the Winooski Dam downstream to the first railroad bridge.

 

Winooski Fish Lift Open

The Winooski One Hydroelectric dam would have blocked spawning fish. A fish elevator was installed beside the Winooski Falls dam to help Winooski River fish get upstream to spawn. This elevator allows the fish to be transported beyond the two dams in existence further up the river. The fish are lured into a narrow compartment at the base of the dam; the water rushing through this compartment looks like a stream. The fish travelling upstream to spawn swim into this compartment and are unable to find a way out. The fish are raised by the elevator to the upper level of the Winooski River where they can spawn.

 

Winooski Fish Lift = Fishing Opportunites

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Burlington Electric Department and Green Mountain Power, operate the fish lift to assist steelhead with their natural spring migration and also to increase angling opportunities on the stretch of river above the Winooski Dam that is open to fishing.

“Lifting steelhead above the Winooski Dam gives anglers the opportunity to fish for them in a section of the river that is legally open to angling. That being said, this is on a catch-and-release basis using artificial lures or flies only, until April 11 when Vermont’s traditional trout season opens up. After that, anglers are allowed to fish with natural baits and keep up to six steelhead per day.” ~ Brian Chipman, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

The Winooski River is stocked annually with 20,000, 7 to 8-inch steelhead, in addition to 30,000 yearling salmon.

Additionally, anglers also have the chance to catch any landlocked Atlantic salmon that may still be in the upper sections of the Winooski River as a result of last fall’s spawning run.

  • As a reminder, anglers can visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com/lawsdigest.cfm to access the 2015 Vermont Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide that includes maps showing lakes and streams as well as fishing access areas and public lands.
  • The guide lists the fish species found in each body of water and includes the state’s fishing regulations. Copies are also available where fishing licenses are sold.

 

 

Lake Champlain Walleye Association honored by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept.

The Lake Champlain Walleye Association, based in Swanton, is one of four Vermont sporting groups recognized by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department for significant volunteer efforts in aiding the department with its fish culture program.
Vermont Record Walleye

Richard Levesque, LCWA Member
with Vermont State Record Walleye

Louis Porter, commissioner of Vermont Fish & Wildlife, applauded the four organizations for their commitment to Vermont’s sporting traditions and natural environment. Other partnering organizations include the Hale Mountain Fish & Game Club in Shaftsbury, the Orleans Rod & Gun Club in Orleans, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Conservation Group based in East Charleston.

“We are incredibly appreciative of these partners and their important work, work that truly benefits our fisheries, improves local angling opportunities and supports Vermont’s economy and natural resources in total,” ~ Louis Porter, commissioner of Vermont Fish & Wildlife

Lake Champlain Walleye Association honored

Working with Vermont Fish & Wildlife, each partnering organization has taken on varying responsibilities and projects – many of which are detailed in the following highlights:

 

  • Hale Mountain Fish & Game Club: Cooperatively operates the Shaftsbury Ponds which raise yearling trout for stocking and for the Children’s Fishing Program – a program which provides other local sporting groups with cultured trout so children, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities have an increased opportunity to catch fish in an environment conducive to angling. A number of club members have volunteered at the ponds, feeding and taking care of these fish year-round.
  • Lake Champlain Walleye Association honored by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept.Lake Champlain Walleye Association: Cooperatively operates four ponds throughout the Lake Champlain basin which raise fingerling walleye that are released back into the lake in an effort to augment naturally reproducing walleye. Members work tirelessly to raise healthy numbers of walleye fingerlings for Lake Champlain to increase angling opportunities for walleye.
  • Orleans Rod & Gun Club: Cooperatively operates the Essex Steelhead Pond which raises 2-year old steelhead smolts that are stocked as part of the Willoughby River steelhead restoration program. Club members work hard each year to ensure that quality, healthy fish are raised for the Willoughby River steelhead restoration effort.
  • Vermont Fish and Wildlife Conservation Group: Operates the Morgan Hatchery which raises brook trout fry that are stocked into beaver ponds throughout the Northeast Kingdom. The dedicated work of this group has ensured that this cooperative partnership continues to provide beneficial angling opportunities to the NEK.

 

Lake Champlain Walleye Association honored by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept.Collectively, these partnerships are part of the Cooperative Nursery Program, which is designed to involve sporting groups in raising and stocking fish into local waterways. The program has provided approximately 192,000 fish for stocking in Vermont – and enhanced the department’s fishing programs, increased fishing opportunities, and helped to manage and restore fisheries.

 

“These groups and their members have generously volunteered countless hours cleaning hatchery ponds, observing and feeding fish, and ultimately raising thousands of healthy fish to be released into Vermont waters. The success of our fish culture program toward managing and restoring fisheries would not be possible without these types of key partnerships and we’d like to both recognize and thank these folks for their contributions.” ~ Adam Miller, fish culture operations manager with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.