Two New Fishing Records Set In Vermont

Officials Announce new records set for bluegill and freshwater drum in 2016 Vermont Fish & Wildlife announced that two fish caught in 2016 have been certified as new state records, marking the 14th and 15th state records that have been set for individual species of fish since 2010. Konya’s bluegill bested the previous record bluegill which was caught in Lake Champlain in 2008 and weighed 1.93 pounds. In September, New York angler Joseph Whalen Jr. landed the new Vermont record freshwater drum while fishing in the mid-lake area of Lake Champlain. Remarkably, Whalen’s daughter Amelia also caught the current New York state record freshwater drum in 2016. That fish, also caught from Lake Champlain, weighed in at 29.87 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. Vermont truly is an anglers’ paradise that is matched by very few locations elsewhere.” Good pointed to the two record freshwater drum caught by the Whalen’s from Lake Champlain as a highlight from 2016 for a variety of reasons. New records set for 15 different species in just six years is amazing. These catches are creating a great deal of excitement around Vermont fishing, and anglers are expanding their fishing pursuits as a result. “What’s equally as impressive to see is a family making fishing one of their favorite activities,” said Good. “Fishing and enjoying Vermont’s great outdoors with family and friends is a truly rewarding pastime that we hope everyone can experience at some point in their life.” To learn more about fishing in Vermont or to purchase a fishing license, visit vtfishandwildlife.com.