Lake Champlain ranked among top smallmouth bass fisheries in North America

VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release: October 14, 2014

Media Contact: Shawn Good, 802-786-3863

 

Lake Champlain ranked among top smallmouth bass fisheries in North America

 

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Lake Champlain has received yet another world-class fishing designation.  Renowned fishing media outlet, World Fishing Network, ranks Lake Champlain one of the seven best smallmouth bass lakes in North America. 

 

The ranking, which was first reported on WFN's website, 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," said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter. "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."

 

Smallmouth bass, which can be found throughout the entirety of the 120-mile lake, have flourished in Champlain's fertile waters where they have access to optimal habitat and an immense forage base. Champlain's rocky bottom composition and strong populations of yellow perch and crayfish create ideal conditions for smallmouth bass to prosper. 

 

Vermont fisheries biologist Shawn Good, who manages bass populations at the lake's southern end and is also an avid bass angler, 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," said Good.

 

"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," said Good. "With more than 90 species of fish present, probably no other lake in the country offers so many different species to target."

 

The full WFN report went on to state, "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," said VanDam. "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."

 

The other six top smallmouth fisheries noted in the article include: Lake Erie – New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania and Ohio; Lake Simcoe – Ontario; Lake St. Clair – Michigan and Ontario; Dale Hollow Lake – Tennessee and Kentucky; Grand Traverse Bay – Michigan; and Sturgeon Bay – Wisconsin.

 

Lakes receiving honorable mention in the WFN rankings include: Bay de Noc – Michigan; Pickwick Lake – Alabama and Tennessee; Candlewood Lake - Connecticut; Rainy Lake – Ontario; Lake of the Woods – Minnesota and Ontario; Kentucky Lake – Kentucky and Tennessee; and St. Lawrence River – New York, Quebec and Ontario.

 

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

 

Brief

Lake Champlain has received yet another world-class fishing designation.  Renowned fishing media outlet, World Fishing Network, ranks Lake Champlain one of the seven best smallmouth bass lakes in North America. 

 

The ranking describes Lake Champlain as "perhaps the best lake in all of North America for both quality largemouth and smallmouth bass."

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter said: "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."

 

Caption for attached VT F&W photo

Vermont youth angler Caleb Smith with a beautiful Lake Champlain smallmouth bass that was caught and released last year. 

 

Link to complete World Fishing Network article

http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/travel-directory/post/7-best-lakes-catch-smallmouth-bass

 

 

 

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Chris Adams, Outreach Division

[phone]      802-236-1560    

[email]      chris.adams@state.vt.us

[website]    www.vtfishandwildlife.com

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

1 National Life Drive, Davis 2

Montpelier VT 05620-3702

 

              

 

Update on Gun Forum - Please Forward to Friends

The Informational Forum on Anticipated Changes to VT Gun Legislation which was held in Pawlet on Wednesday, October 8, indicated that any changes to Vermont Gun Laws will not be well received.  Although the legislature has not defined the specifics for proposed changes, a part of the preliminary discussion is universal background checks for all firearm transfers; the consensus of the attendees was that federal law covers initial gun transfers and no change is needed. 

 

Moderator, Senator Kevin Mullin, asked a panel of experts, what they thought the proposed changes would be and why change is needed.  Panel members were Evan Hughes, Vice President & Registered Lobbyist for Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Lars Jacob, Director of the Covey & Nye Shooting School, Senator Peg Flory, Esquire, who chairs the Senate Committee on Institutions including oversight of  VT Department of Corrections, Brian Kukon, Chief Master Firearms Instructor with an extensive background in Defensive Concealed Carry and Law for Use of Force, Chief William Humphries of Fair Haven Police Department and High Bailiff of Rutland County, and Representative Bob Helm of Fair Haven. After a brief statement from each panel member, the forum was opened to the audience for questions.

 

The audience was comprised of approximately 150 attendees who drove from all corners of the state to participate.  From the Northeast Kingdom to Westminster, from St. Albans, Essex, and Benson to Bennington, from Barre, Mendon, and Rutland City to our local towns, gun owners came to add their voices to the discussion.

 

Notables in the audience included Senator Joseph Benning of Caledonia County, Constable David Ricard of Pawlet,  Fire Chief Dale Decker of Pawlet, Rutland County State's Attorney Marc Brierre, Patricia McCoy, Poultney Town Clerk, and Wendy Wilton, Rutland City Treasurer.

 

The event was open to the general public; however, the focus was Vermonters' rights under Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution and whether our present gun laws are working.  In summary, the audience felt that our present laws and rights under those laws make us the safest state in the nation and we do not need changes; federal law requires background checks for initial purchase; compliance would not be universal since felons would not comply and medical records for persons with mental illness and legal drug use cannot be accessed under present Vermont law so these persons would not need to comply.   

 

Prior to adjourning the forum for an informal social, those running for elected offices in Vermont were encouraged to introduce themselves and state their stand on the "gun" issue.  In attendance were (1) candidate for governor, (4) senate candidates, (1) candidate for State's Attorney, and (5) candidates running for VT House.

 

All candidates were in favor of no change to Vermont law, except for (1) house candidate in favor of universal background checks and (1) house candidate who feels more gun laws are needed.  

 

I would like to thank the Pawlet Fire Department for the use of the Fire House; the Modern Woodmen of America for use of their amplifier and microphone; the moderator and panelists for their participation and candor; the sponsors of our advertising on Lakes Region Radio, GNAT-TV for use of their equipment; our crew of silent volunteers who put out posters and flyers, set up and broke down seating and those who baked and served great desserts and all those who attended to question, listen and learn.

 

Dolores Luebke, Organizer

West Pawlet, Vermont