Vermont State Parks photo: ButtongBayFishing.jpg: A young angler is all smiles after landing a fish at Button Bay State Park. She was helped by Christine Paluga, park interpreter and Let’s Go Fishing instructor. This summer Vermont State Parks and Vermont Fish & Wildlife introduce the new “Reel Fun” initiative to make fishing fun and easy for state park visitors. As part of the program, select state parks will have loaner “Reel Fun” kits and offer fishing clinics, among other fishing-related resources.
Vermont State Parks and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are teaming up this season to promote and enhance fishing opportunities for campers and visitors at state parks across Vermont through the recently created “Reel Fun” program.
This exciting new program will encourage park visitors to take advantage of the diverse, easily accessible and family-friendly fishing opportunities that exist in most Vermont State Parks.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Vermont Fish & Wildlife to help make fishing more accessible to anglers at Vermont State Parks,” said Craig Whipple, director of state parks with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. “There’s a strong history of recreational angling at our state parks and we want to continue to bolster that tradition through the ‘Reel Fun’ program. Whether you want to fish from shore or take out one of our canoes, kayaks or paddleboats, we hope that you will make fishing at a state park a must-do activity this summer.”
In addition to hosting “Let’s Go Fishing” clinics with trained instructors, 10 state parks will now be providing fishing equipment to visitors on a loaner basis. Included in the equipment will be rods, reels, fishing line and an assortment of lures or baits that can be signed out by park visitors in order to help provide instant access to the sport of fishing.
Park visitors will also have access to a fishing guide publication for the body of water they are at, developed by Vermont Fish & Wildlife. The guide will include information about the waterbody, a lake or river map, a list of fish species present, fishing tips and techniques applicable to each waterway, and information about obtaining a Vermont fishing license.
The following state parks will be participating in the “Reel Fun” initiative in 2015: Grand Isle State Park on Lake Champlain, Lake Carmi State Park, Stillwater State Park on Groton Lake, Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore, Silver Lake State Park, Wilgus State Park on the Connecticut River, Half Moon State Park on Half Moon Pond, Lake St. Catherine State Park, Woodford State Park on Adams Reservoir and Brighton State Park on Spectacle Pond.
“From my personal experience camping and fishing with my family, I can attest that Vermont’s state parks and fishing are a natural combination,” said Eric Palmer, director of fisheries with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “The ‘Reel Fun’ program will help to make fishing in our state parks an easy option to anyone who might want to try it out.”
Additionally, the program will include a “Reel Fun VT” photo contest where visitors can submit photos of themselves fishing at state parks to either Vermont State Parks or Vermont Fish & Wildlife. At the end of the summer, three winners will be chosen. The first place winner will receive two starter fishing kits as well as a weekend of free camping in a Vermont State Park. The second place winner will receive one starter fishing kit and a 2016 season vehicle pass for Vermont State Parks. Lastly, the third place winner will also receive a starter fishing kit and a punch card good for 10 visits to any Vermont State Park.
Visitors can submit “Reel Fun VT” photos via email to [email protected] or [email protected], or can use #ReelFunVT to tag photos on Twitter.
A great upcoming opportunity for park guests to experience fishing in Vermont State Parks is during Vermont Days on the weekend of June 13 – 14. To find out more about Vermont Days, visit https://vermontvacation.com/vermont-days. June 13 is also Free Fishing Day in Vermont where any resident or non-resident can fish without a license.
To find out more about Vermont State Parks, make a camping reservation or learn about day use, visit www.vtstateparks.com/index.htm.
To learn more about fishing in Vermont or to purchase a fishing license, visitwww.vtfishandwildlife.com.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife photo: Nearly 600 participants, including kids and their families, came out to cast a line at last year’s Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival. The 2015 festival is set for Saturday, June 13, Summer Free Fishing Day in Vermont.
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department would like to remind the public that Vermont’s annual, statewide Summer Free Fishing Day is set to take place on Saturday, June 13 and will be highlighted by a free Family Fishing Festival in Grand Isle.
“Vermont’s s Free Fishing Day affords residents and non-residents alike the opportunity to go fishing anywhere in Vermont for the day without a fishing license,” said Louis Porter, commissioner of Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “With over 800 lakes and ponds, over 7,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 91 different species of fish, Vermont is a destination for anglers of all types. Whether you’re catching panfish on a family trip or hauling in the trout of a lifetime with your close friend, Vermont has what you’re looking for.”
Vermont’s landscape and diverse waterways support healthy populations of both warm and cold water fish, which provide for high quality angling opportunities and fun outdoor experiences.
“Fishing is a fun activity for people of all ages and is also a relaxing way to enjoy Vermont’s beautiful scenery and unique natural resources,” said Fish Culture Operations Manager Adam Miller. “We hope that both existing anglers and anyone interested in trying out fishing for the first time will get out on the water on June 13 to cast a line.”
The “Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival” will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Free Fishing Day at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station located at 14 Bell Hill Road in Grand Isle.
Designed for young anglers and families, this exciting event offers basic fishing instruction and the chance for kids to catch big trout in the hatchery pond. No prior fishing experience is needed and Vermont Fish & Wildlife will be supplying fishing rods, reels and bait for use by participants.
Families have the option to pre-register online for the festival at http://tinyurl.com/fishingfest2015 or sign in on the day of the event. Anyone with questions about the festival can contact Kristi Roche at 802-372-3171.
“Vermont is chock-full of fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages, abilities and interests, and the Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival is a perfect opportunity for newcomers to experience the great fun of fishing,” Porter said.
To learn more about fishing in Vermont, the Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival, or to purchase a fishing license, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish.
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