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Shocking the Willoughby River in Northeastern Vermont

What happened to the fishing in Spring 2004?
State of Vermont fisheries biologist Len Gerardi brandishes an electrical wand to stun any fish in the immediate area with 500 volts. Fish in vicinity of the electrical charge are momentarily stunned and swept up in nets. The program seeks to catch only wild fish for the hatchery in Newark. After spawning in the hatchery, the female fish get an electrode implanted in them. Then, they are returned to the river. Male fish are used for disease testing and then discarded. The department tries to catch about 150 fish per year. Many fishermen oppose the shocking program. There is a belief that some fish are killed or injured by the electrical charge.
VT Fish and Wildlife team shock and capture fish on the Willoughby River outside Orleans
VT Fish and Wildlife team "shock" trout in order to catch them for restocking project
fish caught in net on the Willoughby River during VT Fish and Wildlife restocking program

Other rivers and fishing spots in Northeastern Vermont (the Northeast Kingdom)

While the Willoughby River is busy from the second Saturday in April through mid-May, there are lesser known areas such as the Barton and Black rivers where you can find steelheads without being in the midst of a crowd of anglers. The Black River runs through Coventry and also has some falls where you may spot some fish jumping in the spring. The river is said to have at least 20 runs and pools with the best fishing during in April, May and into early June.

Did you know that many of the photos seen here on Scenes of Vermont are available for sale and download on www.photosvermont.com?