Residents in Plattsburgh say the snow geese are back again this year and one homeowner has thousands right in her backyard.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.wcax.com
See on Scoop.it – Lake Champlain Life
Category Archives: Lake Life
Osprey at Ausable Marsh
Video of Osprey at Ausable Marsh
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.youtube.com
See on Scoop.it – Lake Champlain Life
Other Lake Champlain Wildlife Articles:
- VT Fish & Wildlife Manages Popular Wetland Area
- Everyone Enjoys Lake Champlain Sunsets
- Baby turtles released into Lake Champlain
- Family of Canada Geese swimming in Lake Champlain
- Watch out for Turtles
VT Fish & Wildlife To Hold Hearings Lake Champlain Sauger Fishing Regulation Change
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will conduct two public hearings later this month on proposed changes to fishing regulations.
Sauger are a species in decline in Lake Champlain, and would be protected with a requirement that any sauger caught must be immediately released. The sauger is a member of the true perch family, Percidae, and closely resembles the walleye in appearance.
Last month, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) proposed a draft conservation management plan aimed at reestablishing the sauger in New York’s waterways. The last documented sauger captured in New York was in 2010, when a sampling of walleye in Lake Champlain accidentally netted a seven year old female sauger. Before that there was no documented evidence of a sauger caught or seen in 13 years.
Sauger were relatively common in Lake Champlain up to the mid-1980’s and the lake is seen by New York conservation officials as the best hope among waterways.
Challenges for the Sauger restricted access to their spawning destinations and the introduction of zebra mussels. Zebra mussels, an invasive species, clarify the water, and sauger thrive in muddier waters.
A second proposed change would make permanent the former temporary “Test Water Designation” with restrictions on the Batten Kill and some of its tributaries.
The proposed rule covering both subjects is available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Law Enforcement” and “Rules and Proposed Rules.”
The hearings are scheduled as follows:
- February 24 — Burr & Burton Academy, 57 Seminary Avenue, Manchester at 7:00 p.m.
- February 25 — Fish & Wildlife Board meeting, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier at 6:30 p.m.
Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:
Lake Champlain Ice Fishing
Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Opportunities
Lake Champlain is a premier ice fishing destination, offering a variety of ice fishing opportunities. Quality fishing for many species is easy to find on this 120-mile long lake, including landlocked salmon, lake trout, northern pike, yellow perch, white perch, walleye, and crappie.
Vermont offers a free Ice Fishing Day to introduce newcomers to the sport of ice fishing; this year the free ice fishing day is January 28th. So get out and try your luck ice fishing on Lake Champlain.
Northern Pike
In the northern part of Lake Champlain, the traditional pike hotspots are Kelley Bay, Missisquoi Bay, Dillenbeck Bay, Carry Bay, Keeler Bay, St. Albans Bay and the shallow flats south of the Sandbar Causeway (between Milton and the Champlain Islands).
In southern Lake Champlain, the area south of the Champlain Bridge from Addison to Benson is also pretty good fishing.
In winter cold temperatures slows their metabolism and they do not feed as often. When they do feed it is typically in low light – sunrise or sunset. Pike will often seek out weed beds and structures for food. They tend to stick to the bottom of the lake and do not school. As winter continues pike will seek deeper water since it is typically warmer and more comfortable.
Trout and Salmon
Trout & Salmon
Later in winter when more ice has formed, landlocked salmon can be caught in the Inland Sea north of the Sandbar Causeway.
On Lake Champlain there is no closed season for trout and salmon.
Lake Trout
If cold weather creates good ice over the lake’s deeper waters, lake trout can be found off the western shore of Grand Isle, as well in Outer Mallets Bay, Shelburne Bay, Converse Bay, and from Button Bay south to the Champlain Bridge between Addison, VT and Crown Point, NY.
Walleyes
Lake Champlain Ice Fishing: Walleyes
Although walleyes can be found anywhere in Lake Champlain, the most consistent winter action can be found in the southern end of the lake between Ticonderoga, NY and Benson, VT.
Up in the northern end of the lake, Missisquoi Bay between Swanton and Alburgh, VT can produce some good walleye action.
As with northern pike, colder temperatures slow the walleye’s metabolism so they don’t feed as often, and when they do, it’s usually in low light conditions. They also seek out weed beds and structures and tend to stick close to the bottom.
Panfish
Yellow perch and other panfish can be caught in sheltered bays and shallow water areas all along Lake Champlain.
Since panfish, such as bluegill, yellow perch or crappie, are relatively small fish they tend to stay in shallow weedy areas or in areas near structures for protection and food. In winter months, they stay close to the bottom or just a bit above where the water is usually warmer. In the winter panfish tend to school together. Larger panfish will make small schools, and smaller panfish will make larger schools.
- Milton, Vermont Angler Catches Muskie Through Ice
- Reminder to Remove Ice Shanties from Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
- Essential Ice Fishing Safety Gear
- Ice Fishing: Tightlining
- Ice Fishing: Tip Ups
2014 Record Year for Nesting Loon Success
Vermont Nesting Loon Population Increases in 2014
Vermont’s nesting loon population in 2014 was a record for success. There were 65 fledglings or chicks that survived to leave the nest on Vermont lakes and ponds.
In the 20th century, primarily because of shoreline development and human disturbance, nesting loon populations showed dramatic declines. However, in 2005 loons were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list after decades of recovery effort.
Peregrine falcons, which were also removed from the Vermont endangered list in 2005 also showed strong nesting success this year.
“Rare birds such as peregrine falcons and loons are very sensitive to human disturbance while nesting. They nest only in a few specific habitats, so they need to find these in undeveloped places that are away from people.” ~ John Buck, nongame bird project leader for Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
The lingering winter weather of 2014 did seem to impact Vermont’s nesting bald eagles. Only 17 fledglings were reported in 2014 – a dramatic decline from the 2013 record of 26 fledglings.
“A single down year for bald eagle nesting is not a major concern at this point, as nesting success will vary from year to year due to fluctuations in weather or food. We remain optimistic about the future of eagles in Vermont due to the widespread reports we have received of adult eagles throughout the state.” ~ John Buck, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Although bald eagles are no longer a federally endangered species, they are still listed as endangered species in Vermont because of their slow recovery in the state.
Other bird species showed mixed nesting success this year. Common terns produced only 16 fledglings out of 220 nests primarily due to gull and great-horned owl predation at their nests.
“The return of loons and peregrines to Vermont is one of the state’s great conservation success stories, but much remains to be done,” said Buck. “The continued support from our partners and from the citizens of Vermont is critical for the future success of these important species.”
For more information, and to help support researchers in their efforts to conserve nongame birds Vermonters can donate online to the nongame Wildlife Fund at www.vtfishandwildlife.com/