Tag Archives: Fishing

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station Improvement to Improve Health of Lake Champlain Salmon

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station Improvement to Benefit Lake Champlain’s Salmon

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department expects that an upgrade at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle, Vermont will improve the health of the salmon population in Lake Champlain.

 

 

fish trap at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle.
Fish Culture Operations Chief Adam Miller with a landlocked Atlantic salmon
from the newly-installed fish trap at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle.

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department hatchery staff, fisheries biologists and other officials recently joined forces to construct a fish trap on the station’s discharge stream, Hatchery Brook. The trap will help to improve the collection process for adult salmon when they return to the brook to spawn.

After collection, the adult salmon will be used to reproduce and provide fertilized eggs at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle, where the eggs will be hatched and the young salmon raised before their return to Lake Champlain.

“Being able to collect fish in a safe, efficient and effective way for both staff and salmon is key to our overall fisheries management plan. The improvements we’ve completed at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station allow us to meet these objectives more effectively and ultimately produce healthy salmon for our Lake Champlain restoration efforts.” ~ Adam Miller, fish culture operations chief with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

Former collection methods required more handling, put more stress on the fish, and were less efficient for hatchery staff and biologists.

“The new fish trap decreases the risk of injuries to adult salmon from handling and increases the health and condition of parent fish used to provide fertilized eggs to our hatchery system”. It should also decrease the stress on eggs taken from parent fish, which may improve egg survival rates in the hatchery.” ~ Chet MacKenzie, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

The fish trap will also help fisheries biologists more efficiently collect data  from large numbers of returning salmon. The data collected will feature lamprey wounding rates, fish size, abundance and age structure – aiding the department’s assessment of salmon restoration efforts.

Ed Weed Fish Culture Station Improvement to benefit Lake Champlain Salmon

Landlocked Salmon, Salmo salar

The fish trap will also serve as an education tool. The public will be able to see fish when the trap is in operation, learn about salmon restoration efforts at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station and in Lake Champlain, and learn about fish culture and the impacts of invasive species.

According to Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner, Louis Porter, “We are always looking for ways to protect and improve the health and number of fish and other wildlife in the most efficient ways possible. These improvements in how we trap fish, so we can collect and fertilize salmon eggs were developed by hatchery staff and fisheries biologists, and their efforts to come together to put in place cost-effective solutions to improve our work will benefit the salmon population for years to come.”

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


Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:


 

 


Lake Champlain One of Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes in North America

Once again Lake Champlain has received another world-class fishing designation. World Fishing Network, a renowned fishing media outlet, has ranked Lake Champlain as one of North America’s seven best smallmouth bass lakes.

Lake Champlain One of Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes

20.0″ / 3.8 lb. Lake Champlain Smallmouth Bass caught by Robert Finch

First reported on WFN’s website, the ranking,describes Lake Champlain as “perhaps the best lake in all of North America for both quality largemouth and smallmouth bass.”

“This reinforces what Vermonters have known for years, that Lake Champlain has some of the best bass fishing anywhere, Not only does the big lake have some of the best fishing, it also offers some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere, especially at this time of year.” ~  Louis Porter Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner.

Why is Lake Champlain a Top Smallmouth Fishery?

Smallmouth bass can be found throughout the 120-mile lake and have thrived in Lake Champlain’s fertile waters where they have easy access to prime habitat and a large population of forage foods. The rocky bottom composition of Lake Champlain and its healthy populations of yellow perch and crayfish create optimal conditions for smallmouth bass to flourish.

Vermont fisheries biologist Shawn Good, who manages bass populations at the lake’s southern end, is also an avid bass angler, and he agrees with WFN’s assessment.

“The bass population data I’ve collected over the years through electrofishing surveys clearly indicates that bass are abundant, healthy and thriving, Champlain is a true gem, and it’s important to take note that bass fishing is only one of the many world-class fishing opportunities available in the lake. With more than 90 species of fish present, probably no other lake in the country offers so many different species to target.” ~ Shawn Good,Vermont fisheries biologist.

Lake Champlain One of Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes

The full report continues, “The combined fishery makes Champlain a popular destination for the biggest tournament circuits in the U.S., like B.A.S.S. and FLW. Though anglers can try and go for broke and chase monster largemouths, for the most consistent results, finding smallmouth bass schools along the northern part of the lake is the way to go, especially on the Vermont side. Like with Lake Erie, fall is the best time for smallmouth on Champlain, as bass follow the baitfish into the shallows as the water cools.”

Accomplished professional tournament angler Kevin VanDam always looks forward to fishing Lake Champlain.

“What makes Lake Champlain unique is that you can catch fish – both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass alike – just about any way you want to. It’s an amazing fishery with diverse habitat throughout and large, healthy populations of many species of fish. Whether you’re an avid tournament angler or recreational fisherman, you’ll want to experience Lake Champlain fishing. It’s simply that good.”  ~ tournament angler, Kevin VanDam

Other Top Smallmouth Fishing Waters

The other six top smallmouth fisheries according to the WFN article are: Lake Erie (New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania & Ohio) Lake Simcoe (Ontario), Lake St. Clair (Michigan & Ontario), Dale Hollow Lake (Tennessee & Kentucky), Grand Traverse Bay (Michigan), and Sturgeon Bay (Wisconsin). Honorable mentions were given to: Bay de Noc (Michigan),Pickwick Lake (Alabama & Tennessee), Candlewood Lake (Connecticut), Rainy Lake (Ontario), Lake of the Woods (Minnesota & Ontario), Kentucky Lake (Kentucky & Tennessee) and St. Lawrence River (New York, Quebec & Ontario).

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

Homemade Fishing Lures

Entertain the kids by making some homemade fishing lures!

 

homemade fishing lures!

Even if you’re one of those “fishing is always in season” types, there will inevitably be times when you just can’t make it out. You’re stuck at home, twiddling your thumbs, the kids are bugging you for something to do. These dreaded in-between times can be an angler’s worst nightmare.

If you find yourself in one these situations, why not use the time to make some new lure and jigs for your next outing? It keeps those of us who are antsy to go fishing preoccupied, plus you’ll have some neat (and probably very inexpensive) lures to use when the fishing is good again! Making homemade lures will keep kids interested in fishing and excited to get back out on the water casting a line.  For both kids and adults, I bet you’ll find it much more rewarding to catch a fish on your homemade lure than it is on a lure you buy from a store.

You can get creative, and plenty of directions can be found online by searching Google with key words such as “how to make a fishing lure” or something similar.  Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.

Homemade Fishing Lures

homemade fishing lures!

Remember, fish like flashy. Anything that will catch the light is a good bet. Bottle caps, can tabs, and old spoons work well and are likely to be hanging around the house. If you want to be more official, blank spinners and flashers can be purchased online.
Add some color! Beads, nail polish, or feathers will brighten a lure up. Craft store and tackle shops often sell colorful, reflective tape that can be cut in various shapes.

 

 

Be sure to use a strong wire. One that will remain stiff should be used as the main shank to which the spinners, beads, hook, etc. are attached. Jewelry wire or strong thread can be used to hold on feathers and other add-ons.

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homemade fishing lures!

Put the hook on last! The last thing you want to do is explain to your spouse how her son ended up with a fishhook through his finger…

The most important thing is to have fun and be creative! It’s a great feeling to catch a fish on your own lure. Remember, you never know what a fish will strike. The original fishing spoon was discovered when a utensil that had dropped over the side of a boat was attacked by a fish as it fluttered to the bottom. Who knows, maybe you’ll make famous lure…

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  Image Credits (from top to bottom): stripersonline.com, sloshspot.com, worldfishingnetwork.com

Freshwater Drum or Sheepshead

When I was taking my open-water diving certifcation in Lake Champlain I bumped into a freshwater drum near Oakledge Park in Burlington. It was a bit of a shock to see something so big and unexpected in lake Champlain. – Tom

This article by Eric LaMontagne originally appeared on the LCI blog.

Battle the Brute: Freshwater Drum

Freshwater Drum or Sheepshead

It is common knowledge that Lake Champlain is home to many different species of fish. From miniscule minnows to monstrous muskies, the diversity held within the waters of Lake Champlain is impressive.

Of the more substantial fish, the Freshwater drum is a brute. Commonly known as a sheepshead, the current state record stands at 20.46 lbs from Lake Champlain, the only body of water they are found in Vermont.

The Freshwater drum is scientifically unique. It is the only member of the genus Aplodinotus and the only member of the family Sciaenidae that spends its entire lifecycle in freshwater. Mature male sheepsheads have the rare ability to “vocalize”; a set of muscles within their body cavity vibrate against their swim bladder to create a grunting sound thought to be used in mating.

Freshwater drum spend their days in the deep water where they can stay cool. At night, and on very cloudy days, they will move upwards to the shorelines to search for food. Females spawn in early June, choosing warm, shallow water to lay their eggs.

These fish are a favorite of anglers on Lake Champlain because of their size. Being a bottom feeder, the most common way of catching them is to cast a live bait with a heavy sinker; minnows, nightcrawlers, and crickets work well. Small, shiny lures fished slowly can work as well. They are much more active at night.

For more information:

http://fishbase.org/summary/Aplodinotus-grunniens.html

http://seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/drum.html

Fishing In A Winter Wonderland

 

Fishing In A Winter Wonderland

By Captain Mickey Maynard of Lake Champlain Angler Fishing Charters

 

 

The Lake Champlain ice fishing season usually begins around early December when bays and passages on the north end of the lake first freeze. Fishermen gather at some of these early spots like the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge connecting Rouses Point, New York and Alburg, Vermont. Other early spots include Missisquoi Bay, the bridge at Hog Island, and Kings and Catfish Bays on the New York side. Keep in mind that the best fishing occurs on newly frozen areas, so wise anglers will follow the ice as it progresses. All of these spots will freeze before the adjacent broad lake, creating excellent perch fishing conditions. Of course care should be taken when fishing on the relatively thin ice in these circumstances.

As the colder weather sets in, the ice makes its way south. Some of the next good areas to consider include the bridge at Isle La Motte and the cliffs at Alburg. By this time Monty’s Bay with its several holding areas and Deep Bay at the Point Au Roche State Park are heating up. On the Vermont side the “Gut” is now holding fish too. By the time Algonquin Bay is frozen on the New York side most of the lake north of Malletts Bay has closed on the Vermont side as well. Areas to the south like the narrows at Ti, Bulwagga Bay, Port Henry, and Whalons Bay also begin to freeze at about the same time. Converse and Arnold Bays are now worth checking on the Vermont side. Many of the spots mentioned thus far are good perch or pike locations.

As the deeper water freezes, the smelt fishing heats up. Port Henry, Westport and Willsboro Bay are all good smelt fishing locations. Shanties are available for rent out of Port Henry and Westport and at Port Henry a taxi operates to usher the fishermen on and off the ice or from one to another of the numerous shanty towns that cluster over the hot spots.

If cold weather persists, the lake on occasion will close over at its deepest and widest spot, between Burlington and Port Kent. When this happens everybody’s favorite perch spot is open for business: Plattsburgh Bay. Areas around Valcour Island, accessed from Peru Dock, can also be productive. The sand bottom south of the lower mouth of the Au Sable River is a good area to fish for salmon and big perch. Willsboro Bay is also a good location for these species. On the Vermont side, Shelburne and Malletts Bay are great spots to pursue big perch and salmon.

US Coast Guard Captain Mickey Maynard has over 40 years of experience fishing and guiding on Lake Champlain. His charter service, Lake Champlain Angler Fishing Charters, caters to New York and Vermont anglers alike with numerous points of rendezvous across the wide expanse of this 120 mile-long world class fishery.  The Captain welcomes one and all to join him aboard his fleet of specialized vessels to tackle a long list of cold-water or warm-water species that inhabit Lake Champlain. For more information and to book trips, contact Captain Mick at (518) 578-9273 or www.lakechamplainangler.com.

This post originally appeared on Eric LaMontagne’s Think You Know Champlain? blog for Lake Champlain International (LCI). Support them in their efforts to protect our lake!