Tag Archives: Fishing

Fall is Fishing Prime Time in Vermont

Fall is Fishing Prime Time in Vermont

Fall is Fishing Prime Time in Vermont

 

As water temperatures cool across Vermont, the fishing action is heating up. Here are some tips to help anglers get started toward a successful fishing trip.

“With the onset of fall and cooling water temperatures, various fish species begin to feed heavily in advance of winter, resulting in some of the best fishing of the year throughout Vermont,” said Eric Palmer, director of fisheries with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “We hope anglers of all interests and abilities will get out on the water this fall to enjoy a gorgeous time of year in the outdoors and experience Vermont fishing at its best.”

From cold water species like trout and salmon, to warm water species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye, Vermont’s array of fish species become more active during the fall as they feed to boost their energy reserves in order to sustain themselves during the winter.

In addition to the rise in fish feeding activity, the fall season also means a decrease in angling pressure, less boat traffic on Vermont’s lakes and ponds, and incredible views of Vermont’s renowned foliage.

“Fall is one of the absolute best times to be on the water in Vermont, regardless of what species you want to target, and you’ll likely have your favorite fishing holes all to yourself,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Some of the best days I’ve ever had on the water have come in the fall when many other anglers have already put their rods away for the year.”

For hot fall fishing action on northern Lake Champlain, anglers might consider the following fishing opportunities, locations and tactics:

Smallmouth Bass: Target smallmouth bass on rocky points and shorelines with scattered vegetation in 2 to 15 feet of water around the areas of North Hero, Alburg, Isle La Motte, West Swanton and St. Albans. Moving baits such as spinnerbaits, stickbaits and top-water lures can be very productive for smallies, as can finesse presentations such as drop-shotting plastics or dragging jigs on the bottom.

Panfish: A mix of artificial lures and live bait presentations can trick panfish. Grubs, spinners, bottom jigs, drop-shot rigs and a standard worm and bobber setup can all be effective.


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Online Fishing Regulations Tool – Fishing Regs at Your Fingertips

Online Fishing Regulations Tool – Fishing Regs at Your Fingertips

Fishing regulations are important tools for managing Vermont’s diverse fisheries and meeting the varied desires of the angling public. The Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife has developed an  Online Fishing Regulations Tool that uses current technologies to make finding regulation information quick and simple.

Online Fishing Regulations Tool - Fishing Regs at Your Fingertips

Online Fishing Regulations Tool

 

 

This internet-based tool offers multiple functions, including:

  • Interactive Map System – lets users select any waterbody in the state and have instantaneous access to fishing regulations specific to that body of water.
  • Current Location Feature – the map also works in coordination with the Global Positioning System (GPS) in many mobile devices, allowing users to view fisheries regulations for their current location.
  • Lookup Tables – allows users to view regulations by selecting a waterbody, town, or county from a comprehensive lookup list.

Regardless of the pathway, the final result is a simple and clear list of fisheries regulations for each waterbody in Vermont.

To get the Vermont Online Fishing Regulations Tool,  Click Here.

The Online Fishing Regulation Tool is just the first of several steps the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife is taking to help anglers more easily sort through and understand fishing regulations. They are also planning to develop a mobile fishing regulations application that will work in areas without internet access, and add more fishing-related information to the mapping platform to expand its uses beyond providing fisheries regulations alone.


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Getting Started Fishing Clinic

Getting Started Fishing Clinic

Check out this free fishing clinic in September- open to people of all ages and levels of experience, including those who are completely new to fishing.

Basics of Fishing – Tuesday, September 6Getting Started Fishing Clinic

This clinic will focus on general fishing techniques and equipment, and is tailored toward those who have little to no fishing experience. It’s the perfect opportunity for anyone new to the sport to learn the fundamentals and get started in fishing.

It will begin at 4:30 p.m. and run until 7:00 p.m. at the Shelburne Bay Fishing Access Area in Shelburne.

Fishing equipment will be available for use, or participants can bring their own.

How Do I Register?

Space is limited and pre-registration is required for participation in the clinic.


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First 2016 New York State Record Freshwater Drum Caught in Lake Champlain

12-year-old from the Adirondacks Catches Record Freshwater Drum

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that Amelia Whalen of Witherbee caught a record breaking freshwater drum from Lake Champlain in Essex County on June 4, 2016. The fish measured 36.5 inches and weighed 29 pounds 14 ounces, breaking the previous state record set in 2014 by more than 3 pounds.

12-year-old from the Adirondacks Catches Record Freshwater Drum

Amelia Whalen stands with her father who holds the record-breaking fish.

“This state record is just another example of the great fishing opportunities New York has to offer, even for lesser known species such as the freshwater drum,” said Commissioner Seggos. “No matter what time of year, angling possibilities in this state are endless, and I congratulate Amelia on her accomplishment, which is quite a feat for any angler, let alone a 12-year-old.”

Freshwater drum, also referred to as “sheepshead,” primarily dwell in large rivers and lakes. Their pronounced blunt head make them easily identifiable. With numerous small round teeth made for crushing, drum feed mostly on freshwater snails, clams and crayfish. When hooked, drum are known to put up a good fight. For more information on this unique fish species, visit NY DEC’s website.

Amelia, who caught the drum with a Lazer Blade lure, submitted details of her winning catch as part of DEC’s Angler Achievement Awards Program, which verifies and tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch and a distinctive lapel pin commemorating their achievement. The three categories that make up the program are: Catch & Release, Annual Award and State Record.

“It was a phenomenal memory that I’ll always have reeling in the monstrous sheepshead that day,” Amelia said. “I was unimaginably surprised when my dad told me that it was definitely going to break the record.”

A photo of the record fish can be found on the New York State Freshwater Fishing Records page on DEC’s website. For more information about the Angler Achievement Awards Program, including a downloadable application form, go to DEC’s website. Program details and an official entry form can also be found in DEC’s current Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide. For additional information on the Angler Achievement Awards Program call (518) 402-8891 or email fwfish@dec.ny.gov .

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Offering Free Fishing Clinics

Fish & Wildlife Offering Free Fishing Clinics

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be hosting two free fishing clinics in September, both of which are open to people of all ages and levels of experience, including those who are completely new to fishing.

The first clinic, “Basics of Fishing,” will be held on Tuesday, September 6, at the Shelburne Bay Fishing Access Area in Shelburne. The clinic will focus on general fishing techniques and equipment, and is tailored toward those who have little to no fishing experience. It will begin at 4:30 p.m. and run until 7:00 p.m.

“The Basics of Fishing program is the perfect opportunity for anyone new to the sport to learn the fundamentals and get started in fishing,” said Corey Hart, Let’s Go Fishing Coordinator with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

A second clinic, “Intro to Trout Fishing,” will take place on Saturday, September 10, at the Waterbury Public Library as well as on the Winooski River in Waterbury. The clinic, which will concentrate specifically on trout fishing tactics, will start at 9:30 a.m. and run until 1:00 p.m.

“For those looking to learn the basics of trout fishing with spinning equipment, this clinic is a great starting place,” said Hart. “We’ll cover a range of topics including habitat, life cycle, regulations, and fishing techniques. The course is designed as an introductory level course and will emphasize basic live bait techniques as well as strategies for using artificial lures.”

The two clinics will be led by staff from Vermont Fish & Wildlife and instructors from the Let’s Go Fishing Program.

Fishing equipment will be available for use, or participants can bring their own.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required for participation in either clinic. Anyone interested can register by emailing letsgofishing@vermont.gov, or by calling 802-505-5562.
 

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