For Immediate Release: March 18, 2004
Media Contact: Eric Palmer 802-241-3700
VERMONT TROUT FISHING BEGINS APRIL 10

WATERBURY, VT – It’s a time-honored Vermont tradition almost as big as opening day of deer season. Vermont’s trout fishing season opens on April 10 this year.

Enthusiastic anglers will be on Vermont’s lakes and streams throughout the state trying their luck on opening day. Weather has a lot to do with how many fish are caught, but it doesn’t seem to matter to the anglers. Spring trout fishing has been on the minds of anglers all winter, and this is the long-awaited opportunity to give it a try.

More than 80,000 residents and 40,000 nonresidents purchase fishing licenses each year in Vermont, and they know April, May and June are prime time for excellent trout fishing opportunities.

Brook trout are found in smaller, headwater streams and many small lakes and ponds. Rainbow trout tend to be found further downstream in rivers and in many lakes statewide. Brown trout do best in Vermont’s larger river sections and big lakes. Landlocked salmon and lake trout are primarily found in several Northeast Kingdom lakes and in Lake Champlain.

Anglers are urged to use lead-free sinkers to help keep loons and other water birds safe. Lead sinkers and lead-head jigs are proven to be a significant mortality factor for common loons. Anglers also can help water birds by placing any loose monofilament line in a trash container.

Planning a Vermont spring trout fishing trip is easy. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has a free Fishing Guide map showing lakes and streams as well as fishing access areas. The Fishing Guide also lists fish species found in each body of water, and it has a wealth of other information. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold and from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501. Tel. 802-241-3700. Request a copy by email from fwinformation@anr.state.vt.us. Their website is www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Wild trout are found in many Vermont streams, and high quality cultured trout are stocked in other streams and lakes. A searchable database of this year’s fish stocking plan is found on the Fish & Wildlife website.

Yearly fishing license fees are $20.00 for adult residents, $8.00 for residents 15-17 years of age, $41.00 for adult nonresidents, and $15.00 for nonresidents 15-17 years old.
-30-


Caption for attached photo: (photo by John Hall)
Trout fishing is in its prime in Vermont during April, May and June, and they are important economically. More than 120,000 anglers spend $111 million annually in Vermont, including $59 million just in food, lodging, transportation and related items and $45 million for equipment.


For Further Information please contact: Eric Palmer at 802-241-3700 or email to eric.palmer@anr.state.vt.us