Lake Champlain Matters May 2010
Terence's monster 15.4-pound laker
In This Issue
Simple Actions
Lamprey Petition
Retail Registrations Now Open
Pepsi Bottlers Refresh Grant
LCI Derbies & Promotions
Auction Ends April 30th
Quick Links
Lake Champlain International, Inc.

Fish Indicators of Watershed Health

Lake Champlain Fisheries Habitat

NEIWPCC Resource Links

UNH Stormwater Center

Vermont Fishing Seasons

Northern Pike Biological Survey

Baitfish

Vermont Fish Records

Walleye and Sturgeon Spawning Habitat

Carry Bay Wind and Wave Study

Fish Species of Grater Conservation Need

American Sportfishing Association

Swanton Dam and Fish Passage

Champlain Bass Fishing

NY Fishing Seasons

VT Fishing License Online

VT Fishing Access Areas

Champlain Tributaries Conservation

Balanced Champlain Ecosystem Petition

Missisquoi River - Swanton Revitalization Petition
Poll
Should agriculture be held to the same water pollution regulations and standards as other industries and businesses? 
 
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Attention: IBM Employees
Supporting LCI and Lake Champlain has never been easier

Thanks to one of your fellow IBM employees, Lake Champlain International, Inc. has been added to the list of recognized charities that IBM employees can contribute to through IBM's semi-monthly Employee Charitable Campaign Contribution (ECCC) program.

Please consider adding Lake Champlain International to your semi-monthly contributions when your ECCC selections are renewed this fall. Thank you.
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Greetings!

May brings the opening of Lake Champlain's walleye season, the start of our 17th Annual LCI All-Season Tournament presented by Apple Island Resort and Marina, and, hopefully, a renewed focus on the part of policy makers as the open water and warmer weathers turns everyone's attention back to the importance of a swimmable, drinkable, and fishable Lake Champlain that often gets forgotten when locked under winter ice.

Clearly the quality of Lake Champlain's waters and fisheries is on the minds of Vermont's federal delegation, as each office  has met with me in the last two weeks, and pledged their commitment to do all within their authority to ensure the future of an essential lamprey control program now threatened by the financial collapse of New York's Department of Environmental Conservation and lack of initiative on the part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service to assume authority for the budgeting.  Additionally, they pledged to address agricultural pollution and failing municipal wastewater infrastructure, and support the restoration of naturally reproducing salmon-a definitive bio-indicator of clean, cool, healthy water.  Senator Sanders assured me personally that clean water was one of his highest priorities.
 
Trip to the Capitol
Also while in Washington, D.C. last month, I obtained the support of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) in restoring Missisquoi River fish passage.  ASA will be sending a letter to the Village of Swanton outlining the economic and environmental benefits of the Village working with Lake Champlain International, Inc. and our coalition to remove a dam that impedes both walleye and sturgeon spawning and water quality improvements.  (See LCI's letter to the Village of Swanton offering to purchase the dam from them earlier this year here.)

Also at our request, ASA will also be urging USDA to more comprehensively address the cormorant issue, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program to initiate new commitments to Lake Champlain fisheries projects.  All in all, it was a very successful trip, as we also played an important role in educating a host of U.S. senators and congressmen and women on how pending marine fishing closures under the Magnuson-Stevens Act later this year will destroy American jobs, undermine the fishing heritage, and conservation funding, even for a non-coastal state, such as Vermont.
 
29th Annual Father's Day Derby presented by Yahama
Back at home, our marquee fundraising event, the LCI Father's Day Derby presented by Yamaha, now in its 29th year, is only about seven weeks away as I write this.  Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate family, friends, and fishing, while fishing for cash AND conservation.  We welcome your support in this our biggest fundraising event of the year. 

Out In The Community
In the interim, we will be hosting the 3rd Annual LCI Governor's Cup; I will be the featured speaker at ECHO's Caf� Scientique; and Bobber Bob and the LCI Tackle Team will be reaching out to children with our conservation message at Burlington's Kids Day.

We also enjoyed the opportunity last month to visit Essex Middle School where the 8th-grade class received a presentation on keeping Lake Champlain swimmable, drinkable, and fishable, and I was treated to some very informed questions from concerned and caring students.  Topics included sea lamprey, urban and suburban run-off, and salmon restoration opportunities and what that means to human health.  If your school would like to receive a presentation on Lake Champlain, please call the office to schedule one.
 
We will continue to educate, advocate, and motivate to ensure Lake Champlain is swimmable, drinkable, and fishable.  We will continue to recruit partners to address the needs of what lives in the lake, as well as the lake itself, and all of us that depend on it.  From the wetlands and the benthic to our own backyards, they are all connected.  And as long as there are stewards such as LCI supporters, the future is bright.
 
As always, if you have any questions, comments or criticisms, feel free to call 802.879.3466 anytime of day, email [email protected], or post on our forum.

Improving the lake's water quality and restoring its fisheries will only happen if we continue to work as a team.  Thank you for fishing, and thank you for supporting our efforts to enhance the future health of Lake Champlain and Champlain traditions ... because a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is the only acceptable option.

Sincerely,

James Ehlers
James Ehlers
Executive Director
Simple Actions
Each of us can take to help the lake
The water that runs off of our roofs, driveways, roads, parking lots, and sidewalks-or stormwater-will continue to "quietly" pollute our beaches and destroy our fish habitat.  This water, often unnaturally warm from running across hot pavement in spring and summer months, carries with it sediment, pathogens, and toxins (like pesticide and fertilizer residue, and even auto brake dust) that destroys fish habitat and shuts down our beaches.  This is happening even in "green" Vermont and the Northern New York. 
Here a few things each of us can do this spring to help the lake and its fisheries:
  • Redirect gutter downspouts away from pavement and onto lawns
  • Use a rain barrel where directing downspouts away from paved areas is not possible
  • Limit or eliminate use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorous
For more actions you can take, contact us at 802.879.3466, [email protected] or through the website ... because a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is the only acceptable option.
Healthy Lake Champlain Ecosystem
Please sign the sea lamprey petitionTerence's monster  15.4-pound laker

Please consider signing our petition to continue the progress we are making protecting our salmonid fishery from the devastation wreaked by the parasitic sea lamprey.  Tell our elected officials you support a balanced Lake Champlain ecosystem and so should they. You may do so here: Lamprey Petition
Retail Registration Outlets Now Open
LCI Derbies registrations outlets available in VT, NY, NH, & CT

For many of you, signing up at a local retail registration outlet with your family and friends is as much as a tradition as fishing in the LCI Father's Day Derby presented by Yamaha. The buzz and anticipation at these registration outlets leading up to the derby is exciting, and you may even find a new fishing partner! Starting now, LCI Father's Day Derby presented by Yamaha and LCI All-Season Tournament presented by Apple Island Resort and Marina registrations are now available at participating retail registration outlets. We encourage you to head to these outlets, purchase some fishing tackle, and sign up for the 2010 LCI Fishing Derbies. LCI Derby registrations are also accepted by mail on or before May 15th, by telephone 802-879-3466 and fax 802-879-1746, or online at www.mychamplain.net until May 31. 
Click here to see all of the LCI Registration Outlets.
LCI Receives Pepsi Bottlers Refresh Grant
Pepsi helps LCI reach kids with conservation message

Lake Champlain International, Inc.'s Bobber Bob program, has received the Pepsi Bottlers Refresh Project grant to help fund our efforts of educating children about Lake Champlain and the fishing heritage program.

The Pepsi Bottlers Refresh Grant is a local extension of the national Pepsi Refresh Project, a ground-breaking initiative designed to fund good ideas, that move communities forward.

Lake Champlain International, Inc. and the Bobber Bob program's mission is to educate children on the importance of water and wildlife conservation and to encourage their involvement in the fishing tradition on Lake Champlain.

For more information about Pepsi Refresh Grant visit their website: Refresh Everything
May 1st Begins LCI All-Season Tournament
presented by Apple Island Resort & Marina

All-Season Tournament: 5 full months of competitive fishing, now with cold, cool, & warm water winners each month.  More information
Terence's monster  15.4-pound laker

NEW 2010 LCI Promotions
  • $100,000 Everything Pass Lake Trout: Catch a 20-lb lake trout and you could win $100,000! More Information
  • LCI Anglers of the Year. New for 2010, Lake Champlain International, Inc. will award LCI Anglers of the Year in the Cold, Cool, and Warm Water Divisions at this years 29th Annual Father's Day Fishing Derby presented by Yahama. More Information
Auction Ends April 30th!
Half-day striped bass & bluefish charter trip

This auction is for a half-day Striped Bass
& Bluefish charte
r trip for up to 6 people, for either July or August. Predatuna is located in Hyannis, Massachusetts right on Cape Cod. Enjoy your private charter as you are taken on an exciting and fun-filled trip on the waters of Nantucket Sound.
  • This trip is great for families as well as serious fishermen.
  • For more details on Predatuna, visit their website: www.predatunasportfishing.com.
  • All tackle is provided and your catch will be cleaned and filleted for you.
Click here to bid on the trip now

New auction item starting May 1st, check website for details.
If You're Not Fishing, Consider Volunteering
Volunteers are needed for all LCI events and programs
  • Not fishing in the derbies or know someone who's not? Want to be involved? Volunteering is the answer. 
  • Like to work with kids? Consider being a member of the LCI Tackle Team, educating kids on the importance of lake education and fishing heritage.
  • Along with Lake Champlain International, Inc. you make our events a success! Considering helping today! 

    For more information call Lake Champlain International, Inc. at 802.879.3466. or email [email protected]
Bobber Bob Attends Largest Kid's Festival
Kids Day on Burlington's waterfront

Bobber
Bobber Bob, the official spokesbobber for LCI, is excited to be attending Kids Day on Saturday,  May 15th.  A parade beginning at 10 a.m. will kick off the event. There are events for kids of all ages, so come on down to the water and learn about conservation with Bobber Bob and the LCI Tackle Team. They will also be handing out LCI fishing bobbers and educational activity books.

For more information about Kids Day, Visit the Burlington Parks & Recreation Website.

Keep up with all of Bobber Bob's adventures on his facebook page.
About Lake Champlain International, Inc.
A community of conservation stewards individually committed to together caring for Champlain's future and traditions ... because a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is the only option. 

a 501(c)(3) organization
Lake Champlain International, Inc.
531 Main Street
Colchester, VT 05446
802.879.3466  Fax: 802.879.1746

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