The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept.is encouraging anglers to consider their impact on trout when fishing during the current hot weather because many of Vermont’s streams and rivers are at or above stressful temperatures for trout, and flows in most rivers are very low.
“With air temperatures expected to be close to or above 90 degrees over the next week, we want to offer a few tips on trout fishing. Trout prefer water temperatures in the upper 50s to mid-60s, but hot weather like we’ve been experiencing can push some streams over 70 degrees, which is highly stressful, especially for brook trout,” said fisheries biologist Shawn Good. “If you plan to harvest trout, there’s no need for concern, but catch-and-release angling during hot spells could result in the unintentional death of your released fish.”
“As an alternative, you can switch to fishing for warmwater species such as bass, northern pike, bowfin, or panfish,” he added.
Here is a summary of Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s tips for fishing during hot summer weather:
Avoid catch-and-release fishing for stream trout when water temps are over 70 degrees. Fighting and handling a trout under these conditions increases the risk of the fish dying after release.
If you do fish trout in streams or rivers with marginal temperatures, play, land and release the fish quickly, and keep it in the water as much as possible while unhooking it.
Fish early in the morning when stream temperatures are at their coolest.
Avoid fishing in areas where trout have congregated in unusually high numbers. Springs and coldwater tributary inputs attract fish and make them vulnerable to angling pressure.
Switch tactics and target warmwater fish species such as bass, northern pike, pickerel, bowfin, or panfish.
“Over the long term, the single most important thing we can do to protect Vermont’s wild trout populations is protect and restore forested stream banks,” added Good. “Forested stream banks help keep trout streams cool by providing shade from the sun. The root systems of shrubs and trees also help hold soil together and reduce erosion, and when trees do fall into a stream, they provide habitat, cover and protection for trout and other fish species.”
Anglers interested in protecting trout stream habitat can get involved through angling clubs, local Trout Unlimited chapters and watershed partnership groups.
