| Hunters Anglers Trappers Association of Vermont |
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This year marked a milestone of family tradition at the Chittenden County Fish & Game Club Fishing Derby
celebrated on Father's Day each year. H.A.T member, Steve Myers, started
celebrating Father's Day there in the '60's with his grandfather. He vividly
remember's the days they released turkeys at the event in the late '60's. He
took his kids there until they were to old to fish at age 14. This year he took
his granddaughter, Skyler Bird and grandson, Nick Dashnow to fish in the derby.
As you can see, every one had a great time and caught plenty of fish.
For Immediate Release: December 21, 2005
Media Contact: Bernie Pientka 802-878—1564
New Vermont Fishing Rules are In Effect
WATERBURY, VT – Here is a New Year’s tip from Vermont Fish
& Wildlife – several new fishing rules are now in effect. Some of them
are entirely new, while others reflect changes to existing rules.
A group of fisheries biologists, wardens and members of the
public was appointed two years ago by Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne
Laroche to evaluate Vermont’s fishing regulations. The “fishing
regulation team” completed its first round of recommendations last summer, and
the Fish & Wildlife Board passed a regulation last fall based on the
recommendations. Some of the changes required standardizing rules that
were similar, while other rules were no longer biologically needed.
Vermont’s 2006 Digest of Hunting, Fishing & Trapping
Laws is scheduled for delivery to license agents by December 30. The
new “Digest “ includes maps showing the location of all stream sections with
special fishing rules and new tables designed for easier reading.
The top five
changes in fishing rules are highlighted below.
1. No person
shall have live fish in their possession that
are transported in a manner which attempts to keep them alive when leaving
waters of the state except as follows:
a. Species on the approved
bait fish list
b. A person issued a
special permit (fish transportation, fish breeder) by the
Commissioner.
2. Yellow perch daily
limits
a. Lake Champlain - Daily Limits: None b. Inland Waters - Daily Limits: 50 fish, no weight limit. 3. Number of baited hooks, lures and flies: Statewide a. Each line may attach no more than two baited hooks, or three artificial flies or two lures with or without bait.
b. There are two exceptions
to this: Little Averill and Seymour lakes.
4. Season ending dates changed a. Most seasons now have fixed ending dates (See regulation for specific species) 5. Many other minor changes – please carefully check the regulations before fishing. a. Lakes and River sections were added or removed from some regulations b. Merging of dates on some closed waters
-30-
John Hall
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department 103 South Main Street, 10 South Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 802-241-3711
Lewis
Creek Lamprey Control Scheduled for Early October
WATERBURY, VT – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
announced on August 10, that it has received all of the state
permits needed to treat sea lampreys in Lewis Creek in Ferrisburgh.
Treatment with the lampricide TFM is scheduled to begin in early
October, 2006.
The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a parasitic fish that kills
many other species of fish in Lake Champlain. Attacks on
landlocked salmon, lake trout and walleye are unacceptably high,
according to fisheries scientists working for the states of Vermont
and New York, and the federal government.
Fisheries biologists with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department,
New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service are working together as members of the Lake
Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative in efforts to
control the sea lamprey population and restore populations of native
fishes in Lake Champlain.
In addition to preying on trout, salmon and walleye, sea lamprey
also parasitize the endangered lake sturgeon, as well as channel
catfish, lake whitefish and other species.
According to the scientists, a single sea lamprey can kill up to 40
pounds of fish and grow from six inches to more than 18 inches long
during its 12 to 20 month life as a parasite in Lake Champlain.
The lamprey feeds by attaching to the side of a host fish, rasping
through its body wall with its sharp toothed tongue, and then
sucking blood and body fluids over an extended period of time.
Sometimes several lampreys will attach to the one fish at the same
time or repeatedly, often resulting in death of the host.
Lewis Creek will be treated with TFM for the fourth
time since the beginning of Lake Champlain sea lamprey control
efforts in 1990. TFM was developed specifically to target sea
lamprey and has been successfully used for more than 50 years in the
Great Lakes and more recently in the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain
tributaries in New York and Vermont.
The Lewis Creek treatment will be preceded by scheduled treatments
with TFM of four New York streams in late September. TFM
targets larval sea lamprey that stay in the soft stream bottom for
four years between hatching and migrating out to Lake Champlain
where they become parasitic. The adults return to the streams
to spawn after one year in the lake and then die.
Stream lampricide treatments are usually conducted once every four
years with carefully controlled lampricide applications, each taking
about 12 hours to complete. This treatment cycle takes
advantage of the species’ life history to minimize the use of
treatment measures. Because larval sea lamprey remain in
streams for four years before becoming parasitic, four years’
production of larval lampreys can be killed at once, precluding the
need for annual treatments.
All five streams to be treated this fall are on schedule, having
been last treated in 2002.
“The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has received the Aquatic
Nuisance Control Permit and the Threatened and Endangered Species
Permit from the Agency of Natural Resources,” said Fish & Wildlife
Comissioner Wayne Laroche.
“The plan now is to begin
treating Lewis Creek in early October,” added Laroche. “Stream
levels and water temperatures must be within specific ranges to
effectively use TFM. This means that there will always remain
a risk that weather conditions might make treatment impossible this
fall. However, at this time, all systems are GO for this
fall’s treatment of Lewis Creek.”
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
This Lake Champlain Lake Trout was caught by one of Captain
Rich Greenough's (Sure Strike Charters) clients on Monday, September 19,
2005. This just places an exclamation point on anyone who believes the Sea
Lamprey problem is not serious. This problem is presenting a serious impact
to every business person who relies on the Lake as well as all sport
fisherman. Commisioner Laroche is an ardent supporter of lamprey control but
even more emphasis is needed if we are to improve the health of the Lake and
its fishery. Along with sea lamprey, the invasive cormorant population is out
of control and the combined effect is devastating to the fishery. We do not
need studies. We do not need red tape. We do not need hand wringing. We
need decisive action with measurable results on both fronts.
HAT Board of Directors
Elected Rich Greenough and Frank Stanley Co-Chairs of the Angling Committee. I want to thank you, one and all, for the work you have contributed to the Angling Committee since it's inception. Your cooperation with a somewhat difficult Chairman was sincerely appreciated. We've made good organizational progress and we've made the Committee the "go to group" on Vermont fishing issues. Nice start, now comes the hard work of holding on to the image. You can and will succeed. The dedication is obvious. Best Personal Regards, Steve
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS RECOGNIZED FOR RECIPROCAL LICENSING AGREEMENT HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT AND THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF TROUT UNLIMITED HAVE RECOGNIZED VERMONT’S GOVERNOR JAMES DOUGLAS FOR HIS INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING A RECIPROCAL FISHING LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NEW YORK AND VERMONT. THE AGREEMENT, TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2004, ALLOWS ANGLERS FROM EACH STATE TO FISH IN ALL MAJOR AREAS OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN IF THEY HOLD A LICENSE FROM EITHER STATE. A PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THE GOVERNOR’S SUPPORT WAS PRESENTED TO HIM AT HIS MONTPELIER OFFICE ON 10 NOVEMBER 2003. ED DAVIS, PRESIDENT OF THE HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT, NOTED THAT GOVERNOR DOUGLAS HAS BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF SOUND CONSERVATION AND OUTDOORS ISSUES. DAVIS STATED “WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE GOVERNOR’S WORK ON THIS IMPORTANT AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL DO MUCH TO IMPROVE ANGLING OPPORTUNITES FOR BOTH VERMONTERS AND NEW YORKERS.” HAP WHEELER, REPRESENTING THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF TROUT UNLIMITED, SAID, “ANGLERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LAKE CAN NOW ENJOY GREATLY IMPROVED RECREATIONAL BENEFITS AS A RESULT OF THE RECIPROCAL LICENSE.” NEW YORK ASSEMBLYMAN CHRIS ORTLOFF, ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THE NEW YORK ENABLING LEGISLATION, ATTENDED THE CEREMONY AND SAID “THIS LONG-AWAITED STEP WILL BENEFIT ALL ANGLERS IN THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN.” THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF TROUT UNLIMITED REPRESENTS OVER 8,000 CONSERVATION-MINDED ANGLERS. TROUT UNLIMITED IS THE NATION’S OLDEST AND LARGEST COLD WATER FISHERIES CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION. HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT IS DEDICATED TO PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF ALL VERMONTERS WHO HUNT, FISH OR TRAP. NEW YORKS’ TROUT UNLIMITED MAY BE REACHED ON THE WEB AT WWW.NYSCTU.ORG VERMONT’S HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION MAY BE FOUND AT <WWW.HATVT.ORG>
Currently recruiting additional members, contact Chairman Boucher for more information.
COMMITTEE ISSUES:
CORMORANT:
WALLEYE:
Action: walleye restoration in Lake Champlain and it tributaries, portable hatcheries, catch limits, size restriction.
FISHING ACCESS:
Action: improvements to existing facilities, investigate user fee system, investigate where funds for motor boat and boat trailer registrations are currently being spent.
LEWIS CREEK:
Action: continue monitoring lamprey treatment application of 2002, Scotts Dam Pool Project.
RECIPROCAL FISHING LICENSE FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN:
Action: draft legislation for 2003 Session.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN:
Action: water quality, fish management, perch limits, northern pike populations, fish population assessments. New Legislation Download this document in MS Word format
H.32 Introduced by Representatives Grad of Moretown, Deen of Westminster, Gervais of Enosburg, LaVoie of Swanton and Tracy of Burlington Referred to Committee onDate: Subject: Fish and wildlife; license; disabled veteran; free license Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to provide a free combination hunting and fishing license for a veteran who is 80 percent disabled and permanently unemployable. AN ACT RELATING TO A FREE COMBINATION HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE FOR A VETERAN who is 80 percent disabled and permanently unemployable It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 4255(c)(4) is amended to read:
(4) A Vermont resident who is a veteran of the armed forces of the
United States and who is, or ever has been,
The Vermont General Assembly Download this document in MS Word format
H.95 Introduced by Representatives Sharpe of Bristol, Bohi of Hartford, Deen of Westminster, Dostis of Waterbury, Fisher of Lincoln, Kiss of Burlington, McLaughlin of Royalton, Nuovo of Middlebury and Tracy of Burlington Referred to Committee onDate: Subject: Fish and wildlife; fishing; assisting a person with a disability Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to allow an unlicensed person to assist a person with a disability who is fishing. AN ACT RELATING TO ASSISTING AN ANGLER WITH A DISABILITY It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 4251(c) is added to read: (c) A person who is assisting a licensed angler with a disability is not required to hold a fishing license, provided that the assistant may not take a fish or angle for a fish except as required to assist the person with a disability.
The Vermont General Assembly
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Angling Committee Meeting
4-16-03-Gordon House-Grand Isle, Vt.
Committee Members in attendance: Steve
Boucher, Chair
-Bill Wellman-Dan Mitchell-Bill Birch-Rich
Greenough.
#1
It was decided that the internal priorities
of this Committee
are as follows: involve as many other
fishing related groups
on a state wide level as possible. Involve
with other groups
in N.Y. State as issues relate to the Lake
Champlain Fishery.
To increase our Committee as necessary to be
able to have
representation from all the various
fisheries through out Vermont.
To organize our Committee to be on the front
lines on fisheries
and water quality issues as issues arise
through out Vermont
and the Lake Champlain Basin.
We will make an effort to be included on
some basis at the
Lake Champlain Technical Committee meetings.
To this end the following are responsible
for contacts:
Rich Greenough - Bob Shannon (inland
fisheries)
Bill Wellman - Vt. Trout Unlimited
Dan Mitchell - Vermont Bass Associations
Bill Birch - Attempt to find a group in the
South of Vt.
#2
We will keep fresh information on Angling
Committee
business and issues flowing to our Web
Master.
We would like the Web Master to create an
information
box as follows:
A space on our web page to attempt to get
the following information:
Member of H.A.T.? yes or no
Please give us your opinion on the
issues seen on this page.
What issues do you suggest we look into?
(the responses to these questions can be
handled in the most
practical method available. Possibly set up
so responses
by the respondent are sent to all members of
our committee
or if you wish we will appoint one person to
receive the E
mail responses and disburse to the Committee
members.
In this event, we will develop a system to
provide timely
responses to E mails.-- It is the Web
Masters prerogative
as to how he will set this system up.)
#3
Committee issues were prioritized, here are
our current
issues, not necessarily in order of
importance.
Lamprey, cormorants, water quality,spawning
habitat,
stocking levels on Lake Champlain and
stocking strategy,
Allen Point,reciprocal license, ask for
father investigation
of ecological impacts of removing more of
the Missisquoi
Bay Fill Bridge (causeway) (we will confirm
these priorities
at our next Committee Meeting.)
#4
Legislation-2004: An outline was discussed
as how to
proceed with new legislation and time line
was discussed
and established.
#5
Steve Boucher was assigned the task of
setting up a meeting
with Commissioner Laroche and this Committee
within 30 days,
Commissioner's schedule providing.
#6
Assignment of Committee Sub Chairmanships:
Committee members
will provide their preferences at our next
meeting.
#7
Elect a new Chairman and reporter/web page
liaison: This action
will be completed within 60 days.
Meeting adjourned: 12:15 P.M.
Submitted by:Steve Boucher
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