Vermont Opening a "Test Pond"

Vermont takes the wraps off a new pond.... this isn't it

With all the pressure from activist groups, lobbies and government agencies to fishing limit access. It's nice to see a story about a state opening up a pond to fishing, even if it's only on a test basis.

Berlin Pond is producing quality largemouth and smallmouth in Vermont. The pond is a water supply reservoir and has never been open to public fishing.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has decided to allow limited fishing on a catch and release basis.

Woo Hoo!!!
An untapped fishery teeming with "quality" bass. I'm in!

Vermont plans to study the impact of catch and release fishing on Berlin Pond. Untapped fisheries usually sport a large number of old, slow growing fish. These fish are particularly vulnerable when the fishery is opened to public fishing.

..... errr....... really? Big old fish that have never seen a lure are likely to eat it?

Vermont Fish and Wildlife plans on closely monitoring the pond and the effect catch and release has on the population. The goal is sustain the population and maintain a quality bass fishery.

In an era of shrinking access to public water it is great to see a state taking steps to increase access to a what appears to be an outstanding fishery.