Burlington Free Press compiled these records 1st: The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has certified four new all-time state record fish, all caught in 2015. New state records were set for the species of yellow perch, redhorse sucker, cisco and bowfin (taken by bow and arrow).
“2015 was another great year for record fish catches in Vermont,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “And, what’s even more exciting is the fact that anglers are really starting to understand the wide diversity of fishing opportunities we have throughout the state. Three of the four species that had records set this past year are not what most anglers typically think of as sport fish. Fishing in Vermont can go way beyond bass, trout and some of the other more commonly targeted species.”
Vermont’s new record yellow perch, which weighed a massive 2.4 pounds, was caught in March by Keith Sherwood of Hinesburg while ice fishing on Caspian Lake in Greensboro. The fish was 16 inches in length and had a girth of 12.5 inches, and topped the previous record of 2.1 pounds by over 4 ounces.
In April, Brian Latulippe of Hinesburg landed the new state record redhorse sucker while fishing on the Otter Creek in Ferrisburgh. The fish was caught using a night crawler and weighed 9.01 pounds. It had a length of 27.5 inches and a girth of 16.5 inches. The former record weighed 8.6 pounds.
Fishing has always been a great activity for families to share and experience together, and in keeping with the family theme, the new state cisco was caught by Brian’s niece, Montanah Latulippe, of Winooski. Montanah caught the fish in August on Lake Champlain in South Hero. It weighed 1.09 pounds, was 14.5 inches in length, and had a girth of 7.5 inches. This was the first cisco ever officially submitted to the Department’s record fish program and therefore automatically takes the top spot on the record fish list.
A new state record was also set for bowfin taken by bow and arrow. The fish was harvested in August by Louis Phelps of St. George on Lake Champlain in Grand Isle. It weighed 12.09 pounds, was 30.75 inches long, and had a girth of 17.25 inches. The previous record weighed 11.6 pounds.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife recognizes state records for both traditional angling and for bow and arrow fishing for the species of longnose gar, carp, redhorse sucker and bowfin.
“The Vermont Record Fish Program continues to serve as a testament to the health and quality of fisheries around the state,” said Good. “Many record fish programs in other states only see new records established every few years. In Vermont, anglers have been setting multiple records each year, and since 2010, 16 new records have been recognized, which is an astounding number. It truly speaks to the excellent fishing opportunities we have here in Vermont.”
To learn more about Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s record fish program, view record fish entries, or purchase a Vermont fishing license, visit http://vtfishandwildlife.com.