Vermont fall fishing season heats up as waters cool

Shawn Good, a fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife, poses with a beautiful late-fall Northern Pike caught on Lake Champlain. (VTF&W Photo)

The dropping temperatures and shorter days of fall bring some of the year’s hottest fishing action on Vermont’s lakes, ponds and streams, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. 

“As water temperatures cool off, many different fish species begin to feed heavily,” said Shawn Good, a fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “From warm water species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch, and walleye, to cold water species like trout and salmon, fish feeding activity really picks up and creates exceptional fishing conditions for anglers.”  

While the hot temperatures of summer can sometimes make fishing slow, the autumn months represent a transition time when fish become more active and easier to catch. This increase in feeding activity can be attributed to fish boosting their reserves of essential nutrients in order to sustain themselves during winter when their metabolism slows and they feed less. 

Fishing pressure on Vermont waters also decreases significantly as the seasons change, so there is less competition from other anglers.

“Fall is one of the absolute best times to be on the water in Vermont – regardless of what species you want to target or where you want to fish,” Good said. “Some of the best days I’ve had on the water have come late in the fall when many other anglers have already put their rods away for the winter. It’s an amazing time of year to be on the water, and you’ll likely have your favorite fishing holes all to yourself.”

One enhanced fall angling opportunity is bass fishing, whether it be on world-renowned Lake Champlain, the diverse Connecticut River or one of Vermont’s many smaller lakes and ponds. 

"Fall makes the great bass fisheries of Vermont even greater,” Good said. “Cooler air temperatures bring comfortable fishing weather and less boat traffic, and the bass also know to take advantage of cooling water temperatures by feeding more in shallow water. More bass in shallow water means more exciting bass opportunities for anglers.”

“Vermont has near equally abundant smallmouth and largemouth populations,” Good said. “You can try different fishing strategies for the two bass species during other seasons, but I've found largemouth and smallmouth bass mix together more in the fall when temperatures cool. This makes fall bass fishing even more fun."

“For bass and pike, fishing locations and lure selection are pretty straight forward at this time of year when these species are feeding aggressively. In any lake or pond, focus on fishing around the outside edges of dying weedbeds and shorelines that change from shallow to deep water. If you can find 6 to 8 feet of water along the edge of a thinning weedbed, that’s a great place to start. As the weeds thin out and break down in the colder water, baitfish are left without dense cover to hide in, and predators like bass and pike take advantage of that.”

“Casting large brightly colored lures that have a lot of vibrating and flash will elicit vicious strikes.  White or chartreuse spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, or wide-wobbling crankbaits are great choices.”

Other hot fall fishing action includes northern pike and walleye fishing on the Connecticut River and trout, salmon and northern pike fishing on Lake Champlain. 

One of the great things about late fall fishing is that there’s no need to get an early start.  Being on the water in the early morning isn’t necessary.

“Sleep in and wait until the sun is well up and the surface water temperature has inched upwards a few degrees,” Good said. “With water temperatures hovering in the 40s and low 50s, fish like bass and pike need a couple of extra hours to warm up and begin to feed. You can be on the water by 10 a.m. and off by 3 p.m. These are short days, but possibly some of the most productive of the year.”

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

— Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Woodstock Wheels going strong in second season

Luke Hanson, who owns Woodstock Wheels, shows an e-bike to Paula and Wes Stearns, of Quechee, at Taste of Woodstock in Woodstock, Vt., on Aug. 13. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Riding a bike along a country road is a treasured pastime for many, but not an accessible one for everybody. In 2021, Luke Hanson saw a need to open up that experience to more people, and he’s made it into a business — by adding some electricity to the mix. 

Now in its second year, Woodstock Wheels offers e-bike rentals to those looking to tour the local countryside in the beautiful Woodstock, Vermont, area. It’s a region Hanson knows well. He grew up biking these scenic trails and roads, and he put that knowledge to use, turning something he loves into an experience his customers are enjoying. Providing an accessible experience for many different customers is the most rewarding part of the business, Hanson said. 

“That’s one of the great things about this, especially for someone who’s a little limited physically, maybe more elderly, when they come back and you just see the smile on their face, saying ‘I felt like I was 25-30 years old on these bikes,’” he said. “The bikes help you out a little bit, but you’re able to go 40-50 miles on them and see the scenery on roads you wouldn’t be able to access in a car.

Hanson says year #2 has been a busy one, with a mix of local people and also visitors who have e-bikes at home but weren’t going to travel with them. Sometimes, having e-bikes helps them bring relatives who may not otherwise be able to participate. Additionally, Hanson said about 50% of his customers are people who ride regular bikes, but also love the opportunity to do a longer trip more easily.

Well before starting Woodstock Wheels, Hanson saw first-hand the demand for this kind of concept. During a trip to Peaks Island, just off Portland, Maine, in 2021, he saw people flocking to a bike rental shop on the island. Plus, he knew outdoor activities in general were surging post-2020. 

“People were just itching to get outside, so I said, ‘This is the time,’” Hanson recalled. 

Looking forward, he’s hoping to have a permanent location for his venture, perhaps at the East End Park. He’s also exploring the idea of “e-hubs”, essentially locations where the bikes could be stationed and available for customers. 

“It would be kind of like city bikes, but off-road capable bikes where the trails connect to different towns,” he said. 

Woodstock Wheels’ rates are based on a two-hour, four-hour, or an all-day tour. More details are available at WoodstockWheels.com. 

— Gareth Henderson

For more information, check out Woodstock Wheels online or contact Luke Hanson here. The Woodstock Wheels tent is open just outside the Woodstock Rec Center, Monday and Thursday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Peaceful waters: Building a fabric of joy

Long Lake in Maine on July 10, with Hawk Mountain in the distance, near center. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

You might call 2021 the year of travel. People are hitting the road everywhere, after emerging from the decidedly travel-less world of 2020 into their usual summer routines. 

For us, this includes driving my daughter to camp in Maine, which has been part of the summer travel schedule for the past eight years. Seeing the smile on her face, and on the faces of her friends, after seeing each other again in person for the first time in nearly two years, was a special moment. It was sheer joy and gratitude, surrounded by the wonders of nature in the Maine landscape, and the prospect of a lively, fulfilling summer. That moment was easily the pinnacle of the trip.

Leading up to that moment, however, were other joyful experiences. The first one: sharing a delicious Maine lobster dinner with friends — a treat I just have to mention. Another experience, while not directly related to culinary delights, is also related to nature. And that's the beautiful boat ride we had on Long Lake, a lovely 11-mile lake between the towns of Naples, Bridgton and Harrison. It's enjoyed by many summer camps, and the famous Charlotte's Web author E.B. White once had a vacation home on the lake. 

A loon pokes its head above the surface of Long Lake. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

That Saturday was the kind of day that brings numerous people to lakes in Maine. There's nothing like being surrounded by the expanse of water, with bright sun and wind on your face. At a couple stops, we'd see the occasional loon popping up, then plunging back down again to feed. White clouds dotted the clear blue sky, which soared above the green trees around the lake's deep-blue surface. It was an awe-inspiring contrast in color, which also blended together seamlessly. 

While we were swimming, tubing, and boating around that wonderful place, we were also, of course, in the home of the loon. And they did a pretty good job staying out of sight of my camera — except for one little fellow (picture above), who almost escaped the lens again as we scanned the surface for that one, perfect moment.

It was a series of great moments out on the lake, enjoying the ride and the company of friends and family — as were others on that summer day. Being on the water, time seems to expand and hang in the air, as your eyes move from scene to scene of graceful nature and the interplay of its elements. While boats toss the waves about, and the surface moves and changes, you realize a certain peace, revealing the lake's majesty as all-embracing, welcoming and a true treasure. That’s really part of an unfolding experience, of people being able to travel more and experience various, inspirational surroundings with others. Like the very waters of the lake, those experiences will blend together to create a fabric of joy and togetherness that blesses everyone around it. How fulfilling it will be, to keep adding to that fabric.

— Gareth Henderson

Spectacular clouds and reflections at Long Lake in Maine on July 10. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Stocked fish on the move; planning on tap to help reservoir, wildlife

This photo was taken during a drawdown of Sugar Hill Reservoir in Goshen, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Local anglers will find more trout in Chittenden and Pittsford ponds this year, part of a re-stocking effort due to work being done at a dam in central Vermont. 

After work at Goshen Dam is complete, planning will commence for a restoration project to preserve the reservoir and help sustain its aquatic communities for the long-term. All in all, it was a fitting announcement for the week of Earth Day.  

On Wednesday, the state announced that 1,800 trout originally planned for the 2021 stocking season at Sugar Hill Reservoir, also known as Goshen Dam in Goshen, Addison County, will be stocked at other waterways for anglers. These fish are being reallocated to four locations in south and central Vermont: Lefferts Pond in Chittenden, Smith Pond in Pittsford, Silver Lake in Leicester, and Prentiss Pond in Dorset.

The shift is being made to ensure there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Vermont’s waterways, while on-going safety enhancements are made to the Goshen Dam, wildlife officials said in a statement.

“Goshen Dam has always been a popular place for anglers. The yearling and trophy-sized brook trout we stock there attract anglers from all over the area,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “It’s in a beautiful setting in the Green Mountain National Forest, and the fishing platform and access facilities Green Mountain Power and the National Forest provide and maintain make it a great fishing destination.”

The reservoir was slated to receive an April stocking of 1,350 yearling brook trout averaging nine inches and 450 two-year old “Trophy Brook Trout” averaging 13 inches in length, according to Good. 

A drawdown for dam enhancements on the 58-acre waterbody began last year and the need for additional work was identified over the winter.  New plans call for water levels in the reservoir to be drawn down further in the early spring, reducing the maximum depth to about 1 foot with a surface area of approximately 1.5 acres.

“Obviously, this is important work to enhance safety, and it will make it impossible for normal trout stocking there and will also eliminate fishing opportunities at the work site," Good said. "In the meantime, trout normally destined for Goshen Dam will provide anglers with increased opportunities at other area waterways.” 

State and federal agencies will be working with Green Mountain Power to develop a plan to restore Sugar Hill Reservoir and its aquatic and fish communities for 2022 and beyond, once dam work is completed and the reservoir is refilled.

Most facilities at Sugar Hill Reservoir will be inaccessible this season for safety while work is continuing. Those facilities include the roundabout at the reservoir, the access road across the dam, and the road to the plunge pool area due to contractor parking, vehicle traffic, and equipment operation.

In a statement, U.S. Forest Service biologist Jeremy Mears says plenty of fishing opportunities remain available on the area’s federal forest land.

“There are still many places for anglers to enjoy fishing on the National Forest," he said. "Stream fishing for native brook trout is abundant throughout the area, and there also are opportunities for shore fishing at Chittenden Reservoir, Blueberry Lake, or Silver Lake.  Please be sure to check the Green Mountain National Forest website for updates before you go.”

— Gareth Henderson

To find Vermont fishing locations near you, visit the department’s access area and family fishing pages.

Cross-country skiing through Woodstock

The Ottauquechee River Trail runs by the scenic waterway in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Saturday’s fresh fallen snow brought ideal conditions to explore the trail systems of Woodstock, Vermont, on cross-country skis. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful, scenic landscapes in the area. From free places to explore, to locations that need a trailpass, there is an access point for everyone to get out and enjoy the natural environment around them.

There is huge interest from the public in having fun outdoors, which was a trend over the past year after so much time indoors during the pandemic. That feeling is carrying over into the winter, and Nordic skiing has seen the impact.

"There's a lot of excitement and interest in cross-country skiing," said Nick Mahood, the Nordic Center and recreational trails director for the Woodstock Inn & Resort. That activity also began earlier than usual. "There was way more pre-season interest, with people purchasing new passes and equipment."

That major December storm dumped nearly three feet of snow in Woodstock before Christmas, bringing epic skiing conditions. Although the snow cover was hit hard by the significant rains in the following days, Mahood and his team still managed.

"We were able to recover and hang onto about two kilometers of skiing, with an extensive effort moving some snow around," he said.

This week's snow helps the cause, too. Nordic Center season passes, and the combo passes offered with the resort's Suicide Six Ski Area, are doing well.

"A lot of those numbers seem to be up," Mahood said.

Along with the overall interest in outdoor activities, Mahood noted there have been a number of new families with children in the area, and they've been enjoying the Nordic skiing experience here also.

"They're all active and looking for things to do," he said.

Woodstock has seen a lot of traffic in recent days overall, and outdoor enthusiasts are among them. We've greeted fellow skiers, snowshoers, and hikers in numerous locations, enjoying the scenery the area has to offer.

Skiing on the Ottauquechee River Trail, which begins at the new East End Park, was a fun, new "first" for my wife and I on Saturday, and we saw some hikers taking in a late-afternoon stroll near the river. This public trail was unveiled last year and is a gem of an addition to local outdoor opportunities.

As we skied by a field, the clouds in the distance opened up slightly, revealing a radiant sliver of sunlight, beaming down on the mountains. To me, that had a symbolic meaning, as the chance to spend more time outside shined an especially positive light into people's lives in recent months, in a strong and meaningful way. It's a peaceful, healing feeling that nothing can replace, and it's a joy to see that hopeful trend continue, as we ski, hike and snowshoe our way through the wintertime.

— Gareth Henderson

Hiking still a big draw in 2020

More hikers hit the trails in Vermont earlier than usual this year, as people sought the calm of the outdoors during the initial weeks of the pandemic. That interest in outdoor recreation keeps bringing locals and visitors out to the wilds of nature as summer goes on.

The uptick in trail activity started in April, according to Keegan Tierney, director of field programs for the Green Mountain Club, which oversees the Long Trail.

“Once lockdown orders started to go into place, we saw a significant uptick in trail usage, at least in Vermont,” Tierney said. “The parking lots were full on any nice weekend.” 

The club certainly heard a lot about how glad hikers were — and still are — to escape into nature for a while.

“Folks are just looking for a way to get out and just feel safe, getting to a place where they can relax,” Tierney said. 

While the Green Mountain Club has delayed some trail maintenance due to the pandemic, the group continues to monitor trail and summit activity, as usual. Early-season activity at the major summits of Mansfield, Killington and Stratton dropped while summer resorts were shut down, but those numbers bounced back soon after resorts reopened. However, Tierney said some of the club’s less frequented trails saw increased usage, such as the Stratton Pond Trail/LT loop in southern Vermont and the trails at Camels Hump. Thru-hiker numbers on the Appalachian Trail continue to be low as most thru-hikers left the trail when Appalachian Trail Conservancy put out a closure order in March. As of June 26, all trails and facilities on the Long Trail and AT in Vermont were opened. 

The AT released safety information for hikers amid the pandemic, and the Green Mountain Club also published COVID-related guidelines on its website.

The region’s numerous trails continue to offer an escape from daily life and a chance to reconnect with nature, as they always have. While those needs take on a unique meaning now and are clearly a draw for people beyond these borders, the groups managing the LT and AT have been proactive in dealing with this new normal. With that being said, these special places will continue to be important resources in 2020 and beyond. 

— Gareth Henderson

Out into the open

Two bicyclists make their way down River Road in Woodstock on Sunday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Stellar spring weather greeted Memorial Day Weekend, and the crowds responded quickly.

Getting outside has been the theme. In Woodstock, Vermont, numerous bicyclists rolled through town on Sunday afternoon, many in groups, cars were spotted with kayaks on top, some kids enjoyed the river, friends picnicked on the Village Green, and families strolled through the village to hit a few shops and get ice cream. They were there, all the signs of a typical holiday weekend in a rural town. 

But obviously, it’s not typical, coming amid a pandemic. There is still much work to be done to face up to fear, overcome it, and reach lasting solutions for society. We may not know what “typical” is anymore. That said, it is a relief to take in familiar, joyful scenes this weekend. I think we all had greatly missed them, and are glad to step out into the sun and enjoy it, even if just for a short time. 

As we move through this time, there is a lot which can distress us, but it’s also important to look around and be mindful of what we do have. We have each other, and an opportunity to remake an economy that, perhaps, wasn’t serving society all that well. As I look outside and ponder this blessing of brilliant light and warm air, maybe it’s an invitation to get out and connect with other people, and kindly share what this experience has taught us, whether it be through word or deed. The great reset is shifting into the restart phase, and the most profound events begin with small, meaningful moments of connection. There’s no better time to continue that progress, than now.

— Gareth Henderson