GAME FISHERIES 1
Climate Change, Recreational Demand and the Future of Lake
Champlain Game Fisheries
Chris Childers, Cara Schacher, Jeffrey Passman, Lauren Schmitt, Cody Warren
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Game fisheries have been subject to various stressors, including human recreational demand,
environmental stressors, and recently, the onset of anthropogenic climate change. These fisheries provide
economic benefits to the people in the region, as well as giving the region a distinct culture and character.
The Lake Champlain region benefits enormously from eco-tourism dollars generated by the lakes fishing
opportunities. The risk to these fish populations is brought on primarily by people, but climate change
has the potential to exacerbate any or all of these stresses. The populations and communities represented
in the lake are the result of long standing interactions between species and the abiotic environment. This
assessment will explore the extent to which climate change degrades these interactions. Using peerreviewed literature and the latest findings on climate change in North America, we found that the changes
expected in aquatic environments could have substantial impacts on the structure of the communities that
support the production of desirable fish.
GAME FISHERIES 2
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Human populations put stresses on game fisheries through a variety of mechanisms and, in light of
various climate change scenarios, it may be difficult or impossible for these fisheries to maintain viable
populations and economic value.
BACKGROUND
Fish have been on Earth far longer than people have, and have managed to carve a pivotal and unique
niche here. From a human perspective, fish have been vital to human populations as far back as the
written record goes and likely much earlier than that. People depend on fish for food directly and
indirectly, as food source for other animals. Fish maintain a few very important ecosystem services we
take for granted; they provide a food source, recreational opportunity and are important in maintaining
biodiversity.
With that in mind, the decline of many fish species due to over-harvest, habitat loss, and recreational
demand has become a growing concern for people all over the world. Many species that once teemed in
all types of aquatic environments are now increasingly rare, absent and even extinct. While some of this
decline might be explained by natural causes, humans are responsible for a great deal.
Lake Champlain is no different. Here, fish provide the same ecosystem services they do all over, and
they are vital to the region’s economy and livelihood. One service particularly important to the character
and people of Lake Champlain is game fisheries. A number of important game fishes inhabit Lake
Champlain, such as various types of trout, landlocked salmon, rainbow smelt, large and smallmouth bass,
yellow perch, and walleye. While humans put a substantial stress on these fisheries through recreational
demand, managers of these fisheries are constantly working to maintain viable population levels.
Because some of the game fisheries in Lake Champlain are stocked with fish from hatcheries around the
region, they require careful evaluation and management of population dynamics, the lake habitat, and the
recreational demand from people. Because the sport fishing culture of Lake Champlain is important to
more than just sport fisherman (like hotel managers, restaurant owners and anyone else who benefits from
the areas ecotourism draw), it is essential to realize that management alternatives may need to be explored
to maintain stocked fisheries under future climate change scenarios.
With ever more dire predictions of the potential impacts of climate change, it is important to assess the
risk to game fisheries now, before it is too late to act. The risk to these fisheries is uncertain and could
have significant consequences for economies and populations, both of fish and people.
As the planet is already facing a daunting biodiversity crisis, conservation of as many species as possible
is necessary for the continued health and existence of our own species. It is necessary to assess every risk
associated with the loss of species and do everything possible to curb the loss of important ones.
GOAL STATEMENT
This project aims to assess the risk to sport fisheries in Lake Champlain from human recreational demand
in light of potential effects of climate change.
GAME FISHERIES 3
OBJECTIVES

Assess the state of climate change science as it pertains to the present and predicted health of the
game fishes and their communities in Lake Champlain

Predict how present fish community structure may change due to the impacts of climate change in
Lake Champlain

Assess the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fish stocking program

Assess the state of fishing tournaments and angler’s opinions of the tournaments related to the
health of fish populations

Predict how climate change might affect eco-tourism in the Lake Champlain region
APPROACH
Our approach to searching for pertinent information began on the internet, using mostly Web of Science.
A good part of the research was about climate change, and we used key words such as “climate change,”
“Lake Champlain,” “fisheries.” We found peer-reviewed literature about climate change in the northeast
and what that may mean for aquatic communities. We also researched community structure in aquatic
systems. Some keywords we used here were “fish community,” “range shift,” “thermal habitat.” The
information gleaned from these sources was helpful in determining the community relationships and
interactions different fishes have with each other in the lake. Another section of our research focused on
fish stocking and eco-tourism in Vermont. Some keywords we used here were “fish stocking,” “fishing
tournament,” and also some of the specific fish species we wanted to look at, like “trout,” “perch,” and
“bass.”
FINDINGS
SECTION 1- Climate Considerations
One of the most distinct characteristics of the New England region is its climatic regularity marked by
seasonal variability and extreme weather events. Residents of New England are observing changes in
these climatic patterns already, specifically with hotter summer days and decreased snow cover (NECIA,
2006). Malkovich cycles, avenues of natural climate change, compounded with anthropogenic carbon
release are undoubtedly driving these changes. Estimates suggest 80% of the world’s energy is derived
from fossil fuel combustion, thus anthropogenic gases contribute greatly to the existing, natural
greenhouse effect (Ficke, et al. 2007).
Determining the extent of this greenhouse effect presents uncertainty for researchers. Models are used to
quantify current CO2 emissions and extrapolate decades into the future. The difficulty of modeling arises
from the expectations of the future. Political, social, and economic drivers will determine the fate of
fossil fuel based economies. Advances in alternative energies can reduce GHGs, as well as sequestering
capabilities. A range of projections based on human decisions over time is what emissions models can
provide.
GAME FISHERIES 4
Figure 1. Projected CO2 emissions over the next 100 years using different scenarios and parameters
(Nakićenović, N., et al. 2000.)
Figure 1 shows this range of possibilities using SRES, the IPCC’s Special Report on Emissions Scenarios.
These outcomes are based on population, demographics, technology and energy use (NECIA, 2006). The
red dotted line, representing the A1FI scenario, corresponds to a future with intensive fossil fuel use. This
would produce an atmospheric carbon content of nearly 1000 ppm; three times pre-industrial levels of
CO2. The green line, representing B1, describes a less fossil fuel intensive future and an atmospheric
carbon concentration around 500 ppm (NECIA, 2006.)
Using the SRES, further modeling with AOGCMs, or atmosphere-ocean general circulation models, can
be performed. These models take carbon emissions and physical processes that occur in air and water as
inputs and describe changes in climate. Specifically, outputs will read as precipitation, humidity,
temperature, cloud cover, etc (NECIA, 2006). There are several AOGCMs used by different institutions
across the world, illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Several AOGCMs used globally. NECIA used GFDL CM2.1, PCM, and HadCM3 for their
study of the U.S. Northeast. (Table from Hayhoe et al., 2007).
GAME FISHERIES 5
The shortcomings of these models come from their coarse-scale resolution (NECIA, 2006). The models
use increments for overlaying climatic changes on maps. These grid increments can be up to 250 miles
long on a side. Thus, this grid may be too large to portray changes in game species’ ranges or Lake
Champlain sized scales. NECIA proposes statistical downscaling to focus on smaller scales where grids
lengths may be 20 miles long.
The result of climate change of most concern for game fisheries is the rise in average annual temperature.
This rise can potentially lead to further concerns, such as drought frequency and storm severity. NECIA’s
study has found that from 1900 to 1970 annual temperature rose by 0.5°F per decade. From 1970 to
2002, this changed to a 1.75°F rise per decade. Using these values, they were able to project a 3.5 to
6.5°F rise per decade under the lower emissions parameters and a 6.5 to 12.5°F per decade rise under the
higher models. These increases can potentially alter the ecology of these landscapes, creating a migrating
state phenomenon. As temperatures rise, plant and animal species will seek climates they are familiar
with. It may be necessary to migrate towards polar regions if they are accustomed to colder climates.
Figure 3 illustrates how climate and species compositions will resemble southern states as temperatures
rise.
Figure 3. Under different emissions scenarios, Vermont’s species and climate may resemble West
Virginia, or even Alabama (Presentation by Mary Watzin).
Changes in temperature regimes in the North East can affect the hydrology in myriad ways (Ficke et al.,
2007). Higher average temperatures can cause greater evapotranspiration rates. This in turn will produce
higher precipitation as extreme weather events. NECIA’s study focuses on projections of a) average
precipitation intensity, the number of rainy days divided by total rainfall, b) the number of heavy
precipitation events (days with precipitation > 2 inches) and c) the intensity of a one year extreme event.
Figure 4 summates these findings and shows an increasing trend of precipitation and severity.
GAME FISHERIES 6
Figure 4. Precipitation trends using GFDL and PCM models. Trends are shown to be increasing with
low and high SRES models. (NECIA, 2006).
Seemingly counter-intuitive, predictions of increased occurrence and severity of drought events are a
function of climate change. Drier, hotter summers mean increased evapotranspiration depleting
groundwater and stream flows. Figure 5 illustrates the increase in number of periodical droughts. Of
note, under high emissions scenario, medium (3-6 month droughts) are significantly greater than the
historic range of data.
Figure 5. Number of droughts over 30-year historical period and projected 2070-2099. HadCM3 and
PCM models used (NECIA, 2006).
GAME FISHERIES 7
Effects on Individual Habitat
The preceding information is intended to familiarize the reader with possible effects of climate change in
the North East region. All of these effects will impact game fish populations in Lake Champlain
independently or in conjunction with other effects. Ficke et al. (2007) discuss impacts separately for
clarity purposes, but it should be kept in mind the possible synergistic nature of climate change and its
impacts.
Temperature
Fish are poikilothermic organisms that do not regulate their body temperature through internal
metabolism (Ficke et al, 2007). Biochemical processes, such as growth, reproduction, and activity, are
functions of this external temperature. Climate change will affect physiological functions greatly.
Warmer waters can potentially increase or decrease production; these are species-specific properties. In
either case, optimal ranges, either narrow (stenothermal) or wide (eurythermal) exist. Thresholds for
these optimal ranges and ranges of lethality are illustrated in figure 6.
Figure 6. ILLT and ULLT refer to upper and lower bounds of lethal temperatures. Walleye is a
prevalent game species in Lake Champlain (Chart from Ficke et al., 2007)
Physiological functions of fish can be simplified using an equation derived by Warren and Davis in 1967
(Ficke et al. 2007). This equation relates energy consumption to the physiological process of a fish:
C = (Mr+Ma+SDA) + (F+U) + (Gs+Gr)
Where C=energy consumption rate, Mr=standard metabolic rate, Ma= metabolic increase due to activity,
SDA= energy allocated to dynamic action (digestion), F= fecal waste, U= urine waste, Gs= somatic
growth rate, and Gr= reproductive growth rate. Since energy is coupled closely with temperature, the C
component is often fixed for that temperature. As temperature changes, species allocate energy from the
other components with pathway plasticity. As waters warm, cellular proteins are denatured. The fish will
have to expend energy repairing these proteins instead of growing body mass or reproductive structures.
As waters warm even more, further energy will be siphoned from those activities. Figure 7 illustrates
how at a species-specific temperature threshold, all but respiration will be expended. Loss of growth will
occur when the fish begins to metabolize its own tissues.
GAME FISHERIES 8
Firgure 7. Energy budget of yellow perch. 23°C is the optimal temperature for this fish. After this point
functions begin to decline (Original chart from Kitchell et al. 1977).
Decreased Oxygen
Oxygen in lakes is introduced either through diffusion and mixing or photosynthetic production. Climate
change can affect the physiology of plants in terms of oxygen production. (Some argue increased CO2
and temperature will accelerate plant growth, however this may be at the expense of ecosystem stability
and function.) Altered hydrology can also affect the turbulence patterns as well. Ultimately, cold water
holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water. Generally, at 0°C dissolved oxygen content is 14.6mg/L
whereas at 25°C, only 8.3mg/L (Ficke et al, 2007). Mohseni et al. (YEAR?) demonstrated the connection
between rising air temperature and rising water temperature under climate change models. (It was
previously thought that this was a linear relationship, however a logistic curve is more appropriate as
higher temperatures allow higher evaporative cooling.) Figure 8 shows this correlation.
Figure 8. Curves represent the least squares regression. The two curves represent seasonal variation, or
hysteresis (Mohseni et al. 2003).
GAME FISHERIES 9
Mohseni et al. (YEAR?) were able to determine the habitat projections based on the minimum
temperature constraint at 0°C would experience a 36% decrease for cold-water fish species. Warm water
species will not be affected as greatly because of the evaporative cooling possible in those climates.
Evaporative cooling is the property of water to carry heat as it changes phases. It is analogous to
sweating or panting in mammals; as temperature rises water is evaporated removing heat. Since Lake
Champlain is a cold water environment, there will be more direct heating of water without cooling. This,
in addition to dissolved oxygen, altered hydrology, and increased pollutant toxicity will prove to require
important decisions for managers.
SECTION 2- Thermal Habitat: A Case Study
There is little doubt that all ecosystems will undergo at least some changes based on the current models
for climate change, and this is especially true when considering aquatic habitats such as Lake Champlain.
One problem when assessing the impact of climate change on this environment is that there is no model
for climate change specifically designed to address aquatic environments. This makes it especially hard
to determine the potential effects on fish species.
Lake Champlain provides a home for 81 species of fish, 20 of which are sought out by fishers throughout
the warmer seasons. Because fish are poikilothermic and cannot internally thermoregulate, they depend
on a constant water temperature in order to maintain metabolic processes which are essential for them to
survive and reproduce.
This concept is important when considering the fish populations of Lake Champlain, especially when
climate change indicates there is potential for a significant increase in average lake temperatures. The
extent of the temperature shift is hard to predict, and climate models have not yet been developed for the
exact increase in lake temperatures, which has spurred an abundance of case studies involving the effects
of temperature change on individual fish species.
In the past many studies have addressed the topic of lethal temperatures for fish, but few have attempted
to encompass a more realistic fluctuation of temperatures that would occur in a natural habitat. One case
study of particular interest focused on upper and lower temperature tolerances of juvenile freshwater
game-fish species which included a 32 day period of cycling temperatures in order to more accurately
replicate a natural environment (Currie, R.J., et al 2004). This experiment includes three fish species:
largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and channel catfish. Since largemouth bass are stocked in Lake
Champlain, the analysis is focused on that portion of the experiment.
One of the biggest challenges when designing such an experiment involves the idea that very few changes
that occur naturally are systematic, which makes a study dependent solely on temperature increase very
hard to design. In this study, temperature cycled consistently from 20oC to 30°C in a 24 hour period with
the minimum temperature occurring at exactly midnight, and the maximum temperature at midday. The
change in temperature was regulated at a constant rate of 0.3 ± 0.01°C min-1. This rate was used because
it was fast enough for deep body temperatures of the fish species to follow test temperatures without a
significant time lag, but not slow enough to permit temperature tolerance re-acclimation for the fish
(Currie, R.J., et al 2004).
GAME FISHERIES 10
The trials were stopped when a fish experienced loss of equilibrium (which occurs when a fish fails to
maintain a dorso-ventral orientation for at least one minute) and the fish were removed in order to prevent
them from dying. In this situation, loss of equilibrium results in a systematic disorganization ultimately
preventing fish from escaping lethal conditions. Another element involves the internal metabolic
processes and other reactions that require certain temperature ranges, which the largemouth bass depends
on. When loss of equilibrium occurred, the fish were removed from the tank, and data including the
water temperature as well as physical measurements of the fish were taken.
The results of this case study showed that for largemouth bass, the mean maximum temperature ranged
from 35.6-37.3°C, while the minimum temperature ranged from 5.9-7.7°C. This range is significant
because depending on the extent of a temperature increase, this population would definitely be affected.
If the habitat proved to be too warm for this species, it would also have a magnified effect when
considering the precise balance of the lake’s complex food web.
SECTION 3- Community Interactions
The diversity and integrity of the fish populations that live in Lake Champlain are direct results of the
communities of life that sustain them. In the same way that a healthy organism is the product of its
internal process functioning well, a healthy fishery or ecosystem is the product of healthy population
dynamics and community interactions. The healthy and productive fisheries enjoyed by the people of the
Lake Champlain region have been relatively stable, but the effects of a shifting climate could cause this
stability balance to be upset.
Fig. 6 above shows the thermal habitat range of a few different fish species. Even though this is but a
small sampling, it is clear that no fish has the exact same optimal or lethal temperature range. Both warm
water temperatures at the southern or low elevation end of the range and cool water temperatures at the
northern or high elevation end of the range are limiting factors in freshwater fish populations (Ficke
2007). In this way, water temperatures can be a strong factor driving the geographic distribution of
fishes.
Because one likely outcome of predicted climate change is increased water temperatures, lentic
ecosystems like Lake Champlain will experience a change in the distribution of thermal habitat. Because
each fish has a different optimal (and lethal) temperature range, species will want (and need) to migrate
independently of other species. It is likely that this process will break up long-standing community
interactions and ecological processes (Heino 2009). Because the management of all Lake Champlain’s
fish production is based on the current distribution of thermal habitat, changing it may upset strong, if
possibly unknown, community interactions that support this.
While upsetting the present community may have its own consequences, re-establishing a new
community can pose even more risks. In their native ranges, fish species were likely well adapted to the
specific competitors, diseases, parasites or other stresses common to the range (Eby et al 2006). After a
redistribution of thermal habitat, fish species will be exposed to new and different competitors, diseases,
parasites and environmental insults to which the fish may or may not be adapted. This situation mimics
that of an invading exotic species, where the native species, perhaps stressed by new diseases or parasites,
falls prey to unexpected predators or previously unseen competitive pressure (Ficke 2007).
GAME FISHERIES 11
With new stresses like better competitors, more efficient parasites or more lethal diseases, the population
dynamics of important or characteristic fishes could become unstable. When a population begins to
become unstable, the risk of extinction due to environmental or demographic stochasticity increases as
well (Ficke, 2007).
Another factor that drives the community structure that the people Lake Champlain depend on is food
webs. No species can thrive in a region with a sufficient food source, and the game fish of Lake
Champlain are no different. Kirn and LaBar (1996) studied the stomach contents of lake trout, walleye
and Atlantic salmon to see the role of rainbow smelt as a prey item. They found that rainbow smelt was
the primary prey item for all these fishes.
In the same way the range shifts of competitors and parasites can influence a species population dynamics
(and, therefore, also community structure), a migrating food supply can have detrimental effects, as well.
Because the predator and prey do not have identical habitat requirements, a redistribution of thermal
habitat could break up the stable food webs that feed Lake Champlain’s fisheries.
As before, breaking up the long-standing relationships can be traumatic for both parties, but reestablishing
new ones is even harder. These piscivorous fish have predominately eaten one prey item. In their new
communities, they may have trouble for any number of reasons, such as not having a search image for a
new prey item, or not being physically able to catch and digest it.
SECTION 4- Fisheries Management and Economic Issues
The management of a game fishery is important to a region’s economy and character. On top of so much
pressure to produce a viable crop of fish, there are many complex factors that go into properly managing a
productive fishery.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) has an annual budget of about $17million to be
used in part for the production and stocking of fish in Vermont’s inland waters and Lake Champlain. The
species of fish stocked by VFWD are landlocked Atlantic salmon, steelhead, brook, rainbow, lake and
brown trout, as well as salmon fry and walleye fingerlings. Vermont’s inland waters are stocked with
about 295,000 fish while the main lake will receive about 290,000 fish (VFWD 2004).
Eby et al. (2006) looked at the ecological effects associated with the stocking of game fish in freshwater
systems. One important change they saw in stocked systems was an increase in top-down control of food
webs. The stocked species are often top predators in their new systems (sometimes eliminating the
present top competitors entirely).
Depending on whether the system has an odd or even number of trophic levels, addition of top predators
may have unintended consequences at other levels in the food web. In a system with an odd number of
trophic levels, say 3, predators feed on zooplankton, which feed on phytoplankton. In an even-numbered
trophy level system, the effects are opposite. A top predator will prey upon smaller fish, which eat the
zooplankton which eat the phytoplankton.
In both of these situations, the top trophic level exerts control over the primary producers, thought of as
top-down control (Eby et al. 2006). The two situations are different, however in their predictions of
community dynamics. In the even-numbered case, the top predators lessen numbers of intermediate
GAME FISHERIES 12
predators which results in increased zooplankton densities, leading to a decrease in phytoplankton growth.
In an odd-numbered system, an increase in predators leads to a decrease in zooplankton, leading to an
increase in phytoplankton. The effect of this second case is more phytoplankton, which means more
algae blooms (Couture and Watzin 2008). Algal blooms are an obvious cue to poor water quality or, in
this case, an improperly balanced food web. Both of these have profound impacts on the aesthetics of the
lake and the tourism dollars necessary to the regions economy.
Because the stocking of game species requires intense production of fish biomass, the genetics of the
species is carefully considered. Every effort is made to acquire a representative subpopulation, but there
is inevitably a loss of genetic variation due to a bottlenecking effect. This loss of genetic variation can
have profound consequences for wild fishes due to hybridizing and further loss of variation. It can also
put the entire population at risk because, after a loss of genetic variability, the population has also lost
some ability to adapt to a changing environment, a factor which could mean a lot with the looming danger
of climate change (Eby et al. 2006).
Among the effects that climate change will have on game fisheries, the impact it will have on tourism and
on fishing in general is complex and grossly unstressed. The multitude of transformations that climate
change will bring to Lake Champlain will ultimately have an effect on its booming tourist industry and
the number of sport fishing events that take place. Tourism is one of the most rapidly growing service
industries in the world (Smith, 1990). The fact that tourism is closely tied in with environmental quality
and land use policies makes it dependent on the climate. Little research has been done on the effects of
climate change on tourism despite its dependence on an established climate. Consequently, little planning
has been done to adapt to the change that climate change will bring.
Many in the tourism industry have mixed reactions when it comes to the proposed increase in
temperature. Industries that depend on snow cover, like the skiing industry, are concerned about the
shortened season. Industries that are constructed around warmer-weather activities are content with the
prolonged warmer weather. But what these industries often neglect to contemplate is the flux in water
levels. Increased temperatures will increase evapotranspiration. This in turn will decrease water levels
and increase water competition (Wall, 1998). Facilities that are located on the waterfront, such as
marinas, will be at risk to the increasing and decreasing changes in water levels. Wall (1998) examined
the implications of global climate change on tourism and recreation. He looked at a study done in 1992
on the Great Lakes, on the Canadian side. This study asked general survey questions to marina owners
and boat owners. The study showed that within a five year time period, during times of low water levels,
67% of surveyors reported problems accessing docks, 64% reported insufficient channel depths, 62% had
difficulties in ramp access, 21% faced shorter boating seasons, and 13% had dry rot in their wooden
structures. These facilities spend what extra money they have on repairing the damaged structures or
leave it to disrepair and lose business.
With decreased water levels, the landscape around the lake will change as well. The majority of the area
surrounding the lake/land interface can be classified as a marsh. With water levels receding, the marsh
areas will start converting to wet meadows and eventually succeed to dry land. This shift will alter the
plant diversity of the lake, affecting fish feeding and spawning. Any disturbance in spawning will affect
the population of fish in the waters and ultimately affect the amount of game fishing that can take place.
In Wall’s paper (1998), he noted that declines in the striped bass sport fishery associated with reduced
GAME FISHERIES 13
freshwater inflows in to San Francisco bay and delta have been estimated to have cost the state of
California $28 million since 1970. Places where the economy depends on the income that game fishing
brings in may be in financial trouble. Game fishers will have to travel to other regions where these top
game species are still available (Scott, 2003).
Although increased temperatures will extend the summer season, the summer tourism industry may not
reap the benefits from this. With temperatures increasing, people are less likely to travel to warmer
climates and more likely to stay at home. People that do travel will be expecting a quality experience.
Game fisheries will have to be constantly monitoring lake temperatures, shoreline conversion and water
levels. If they want any chance of keeping the booming game fish industry on Lake Champlain, they will
have to become active managers.
Another crucial part of the problem is the recreational demand put upon the fisheries by anglers. The
majority of the recreational demand comes in the form of fishing tournaments. The VT Fish and Wildlife
Department issues permits for tournaments that meet certain criteria, such as having entry fees or
awarding prizes. These permits cost money and allow biologists from VFWD to collect data about fish
being caught. Figure 9 below shows the number of permits issued by VFWD by year.
# Permitted Tournaments
Number of Fishing Tournament Permits Issued
200
167
137
150
105
113
1996
1997
176
152
156
131
113
100
60
50
0
Year
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Year
Figure 9. Number of Fishing Tournament Permits Issued by VFWD by year through 2005. (Originally
from Wentworth, 2005)
The number of permitted tournaments increased each year until it nearly leveled off in 2000, followed by
a decline in 2005. VFWD suggests this decline maybe due to the increase in the tournament permit fee,
or because tournament organizers may have relaxed standards for the contest, resulting in no need to
apply for a permit (Wentworth 2005).
VFWD says “tournament harvest is probably not a concern on most waters” (Wentworth 2005).
Tournaments usually practice catch-and-release, plus state biologists are on hand to collect data about
how harvest impacts the native populations.
GAME FISHERIES 14
However, VFWD does claim that it has received “a number of complaints” relating to tournaments.
Figure 10 below is a table compiled by VFWD. It shows the results of a survey of anglers, asking
whether they saw any problems with fishing tournaments in Vermont.
Vermont Angler Survey 2000
Residents' Opinions of Tournaments
8% 3%
No Problem
16%
Minor Problem
Moderate Problem
Serious Problem
73%
Figure 10. Survey of angler’s opinions about problems with VT fishing tournaments.
(Originally from Wentworth 2005)
While some are simply calling for better boater etiquette, other complaints relay legitimate
concerns for the fish. One category of complaints says that some waters on the lake are too crowded and
house too many tournaments. Over-fishing could have profound impacts on native populations of fish.
Other problems include fish handling on the way to be judged, and release location procedures
(Wentworth 2005). While none of these smaller problems can do that much damage individually, their
compounded effects can further stress jeopardized populations.
CONCLUSIONS
Communities
The effects of climate change on aquatic fish communities will happen differently to different fish
species. Food resources, competitive interactions and biotic control mechanisms will migrate
independently of each other, eventually establishing new communities and interactions. This process will
likely stress all involved populations. Therefore, because of the highly uncertain nature of the direction
and magnitude of these shifting communities, we recommend that a highly adaptable approach be taken
when managing these species. Constant and thorough evaluation of natural and stocked communities will
be essential to monitoring the dynamics of these populations and ensuring their continued survival in a
changing climate.
Stocking
VFWD spends a large amount of money stocking the Lake Champlain region with game fish. The effects
of climate change will make survival more difficult for all individuals, especially juveniles. Because
these stocked populations are intensively managed and cared for already, the need for a complete
GAME FISHERIES 15
overhaul of management practices is unnecessary, but should be reevaluated to specify maintaining
genetic variability and clean and disease-free rearing locations.
Fishing tournaments were on the rise until recently, and have since dropped. VFWD claims that this is
because of the increase in the price of a tournament permit. It follows that to increase the tourism revenue
associated with fishing tournaments, the price of a permit should be lowered to encourage participation.
Anglers have voiced problems about over-crowding and poor fish handling at tournaments, so we
recommend that tournament organizers collaborate and work together to minimize boat traffic in highly
fished waters on the lake. Also, it should be top priority for tournament organizers to promote safe and
humane treatment of caught fish.
LITERATURE CITATION
Couture, S. C. and M. C. Watzin. 2008. “Diet of Invasive Adult White Perch (Morone americana) and
their Effects on the Zooplankton Community in Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain.” Journal of
Great Lakes Research 54(3): pp. 485-494.
Currie, R. J., W. A. Bennett, et al. (2004). "Upper and lower temperature tolerances of juvenile freshwater
game-fish species exposed to 32 days of cycling temperatures." Hydrobiologia 523(1-3): 127136.
Division, B. a. M. (2009). "State of Vermont Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Recommendations." 504-505.
Eby, L. A., W. J. Roach, et al. 2006. "Effects of stocking-up freshwater food webs." Trends in Ecology &
Evolution 21(10): 576-584.
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