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.