Tag Archives: Fishing

Anglers and boaters reminded of cold water safety

The ice has left, fishing seasons are beginning and boaters are anxious to get on the water.The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds anglers and recreational boaters to be aware of the cold water conditions that are present in the spring.

 

Anglers and boaters reminded of cold water safety

Anglers and boaters reminded of cold water safety

“The spring season offers some of the best fishing of the year in Vermont, and can also be a very enjoyable time for boaters to get out on the water before the busy summer season begins. That being said, we’d like to remind anglers and boaters to exercise safe practices and be conscious of the cold, high and swift water that exists in various bodies of water across the state.” ~ Col. Jason Batchelder, Vermont Fish & Wildlife warden

Cold Water Safety

Lower water temperatures during the spring season increase the risk of hypothermia if there is an on-the-water accident. Sudden immersion in cold water can cause the loss of swimming ability and strength, gasping and the inhalation of water, and rapid unconsciousness.

“Often the first few warm, sunny days of spring can be misleading as water temperatures remain in the high 30’s and 40’s throughout Vermont. We strongly encourage folks to get out on the water and take advantage of the outdoor opportunities available in Vermont this spring, but just remember to be prepared and make good decisions. That goes for anglers fishing along streams and rivers also, as high water from melting snow can create strong current.”  ~ ~ Col. Jason Batchelder, Vermont Fish & Wildlife 

Wear Your PFD – It’s The Law

Vermont boating laws require that all vessels carry one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III or V PFD for each person on board. Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must also have one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type IV PFD on board. Also, children under 12 years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II or III PFD at all times while any vessel is underway.

 

Anglers and boaters reminded of cold water safety. PFD Wear it !

PFD… Wear It!

“The use of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is paramount at this time of year, given that it can significantly increase the odds of survival in cold-water situations,”  ~ Col. Jason Batchelder

 

Additionally, New York State boating laws, which apply to waters on the New York side of Lake Champlain, require all persons aboard motorboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboats less than 21 feet in length to wear a PFD while on New York waters from November 1 to May 1.

To learn more about boating safety and Vermont’s boating laws, visit http://www.boat-ed.com/vermont/handbook/.

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

More Articles About Lake Champlain Safety:

 

29th Annual Rotary International Fishing Classic

Rotary International Fishing Classic: June 5-7, 2015

The Rotary Club of Plattsburgh kicks off the 29th annual Rotary International Fishing Classic June 5-7, 2015. The tournament provides an enjoyable, quality tournament early in the fishing season in which anglers of all ages can participate, win cash prizes and enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship among all of those participating during the weekend.

 

Rotary International Fishing Classic: June 5-7, 2015

 

The tournament begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 5, and ends 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, June 7, when all weigh stations officially close. Tournament headquarters are located at the Plattsburgh City Docks, 1 Dock Street, next to the Plattsburgh Boat Basin. All weigh stations will open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. and close for the day at 6 p.m. (open until 8 p.m. at the tournament headquarters). The final awards ceremony will be held at tournament headquarters at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.

This year anglers can register online (see link below). Registration forms and informational brochures are also available at local bait and tackle shops in upstate New York and Vermont. Team and individual registration whether at the registration outlets, online or by phone must be submitted before 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2015.
Rotary International Fishing Classic: 2

 

Last year, Ben Boulieu’s 9 lb. 12.5 oz. catch on the last morning moved him into first place in the walleye division of the 28th Annual Plattsburgh Rotary International Fishing Classic. Wayne Frederick of Au Sable Forks, NY won first place in the lake trout division, and Michael Barber of Willsboro, NY, took home first place in the salmon division with a 9 lb. 5.0 oz. fish.

 

 

Rotary International Fishing Classic: 3

Special Prize

The Three-Fish Combination UNDER 25 pounds, that comes closest to 25 pounds without going over, will be awarded $250 at the Awards Ceremony at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call the Rotary Fishline Toll-Free 877-519-7942. Updates and changes will be posted on the Rotary Fishline after 6 p.m. each evening of the Tournament.

 

 

Rotary International Fishing Classic History

The tournament began in 1986 as the first spring tournament on Lake Champlain, and was sponsored by the American Lung Association. The Rotary Club of Plattsburgh took over sponsorship of the tournament in its third year.
The Rotary Club distributes proceeds from the fishing tournament among many of the club’s beneficiaries. Half of the annual tournament revenue and 25 percent of the team category revenue are returned to the community through academic scholarships for SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College and CVPH Medical Center Radiology School; monies to assist the Beartown Ski Area, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Plattsburgh Little League, YMCA, Literacy Volunteers, North Country Mission of Hope, and other worthy causes.

 2015 Online Registration Form

2015 Fishing Classic brochure

 

Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:

 

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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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.