TopAngler's Edition Newsletter 

 Lake Champlain International

 ...because a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is the only option.

September 2012
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Sections in this Issue:
-A Letter From LCI
-Lake Champlain Basin                       
-Think You Know Champlain?           
-What's New With LCI                              
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lciLetter"It's not Lake Champlain; it's what we're doing to it."
-Dawn Lancaster, Vermonter & Business Owner

The Lancaster family loves Lake Champlain. They love boating it, swimming in it, and taking in its unmatched scenery. Unfortunately, the Lancasters have been running into exactly what every family doesn't want to see ... Sarah Lancaster experienced a bad skin rash after swimming in the lake. Two summers in a row now they have experienced this rash.

It is because of the people who enjoy and rely on the lake to swim, fish, boat, drink from, and support their home and business that LCI exists and works every day so diligently.
Sarah's skin rash

We are making headway with preventing pollution in the lake -- through efforts like the BLUE certification program, persistently holding polluters accountable for their actions, and vital support from folks like you -- so that people like Sarah and the Lancaster family can one day swim, boat, fish, and enjoy Lake Champlain without worries of pollution or invasive animals.

Please consider supporting LCI's efforts by donating funds or becoming a member. Then, Be A Champ and take action against Lake Champlain's threats by visiting the Take Action page. Thank you.

Sincerely,

-The LCI Team

 LakeChamplainLake Champlain Basin 

VIDEO: Thousands of dead fish in Missisquoi Bay

from blue-green algae 

Thousands of fish are dead due to high levels of blue-green algae in Missisquoi Bay. Blue-green algae can produce deadly toxins when it decays. Watch the video...

VIDEO: State surveys forage fish on Lake Champlain


WPTZ goes out trawling for smelt and alewives with Vermont Fish & Wildlife biologist Bernie Pientka. Watch watch they find... 

 Salmon restoration will continue in Lake Champlain  

Atlantic salmon restoration in Lake Champlain is going really well with big fish and more of them in recent years. However, still no successful spawning runs in the tributaries occur. Read more...

2012 lamprey control to include five rivers and two deltas 

Lamprey The Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative will be applying lampricides to portions of five tributaries to Lake Champlain and two deltas during the months of September and October. Check out the map here... 

Champlain Canal still an issue: sign the petition 

The Champlain Canal will always be a vector for harmful invasive species. The spiny waterflea is the most recent threat to invade our lake, but many more are on their way ... unless we disconnect the canal immediately. Click here to join more than 600 others and sign the petition!

Kevin VanDam's favorite fishing spots: Lake Champlain  

"It's a big body of water in a beautiful part of the country," says VanDam. He says there are great numbers of both smallmouth and largemouth bass, and the lake trout fishing is pretty stellar, too. Read how VanDam fishes Champlain... 

Marshfield dam removal  

Vermont has several old dams blocking fish passage in our rivers and creating safety hazards as they crumble. One by one, these dams are being removed, giving rivers the chance to become even better fishing and boating destinations. Read more...

Vermont's migratory bird hunting seasons are announced

Vermont's 2012 migratory bird hunting season dates, including waterfowl and woodcock seasons, are posted on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website.  Read more...  

Restoring the East Branch (AuSable River, NY)   

After more than a decade of being mired in the planning stages, a major river project on the East Branch of the AuSable River in New York is underway. Read more... 
VIDEO: Studying how to prevent future flooding
in the Champlain Basin
More than a year after historic flooding devastated portions of northwestern Vermont, upstate New York and Canada, an international panel is beginning to study the merits of a study. Read more...  

Not if but when: Preparing for floods and managing stormwater 

Friends of the Mad River and partners held a workshop that focused on how to prepare your home for future floods. Watch this video to see the workshop, or click here for some great resources and a checklist to help you prepare.

"Like" FishVermont on Facebook! 

If you're on Facebook, you'll want to make sure you "like" this page! If you're not on Facebook, you'll want to start an account so you can "like" this page! All fishing pictures & stories. All Vermont. Visit the FishVermont page now and post your catches!

VIDEO: "Check, Clean, Dry" for a better Lake Champlain 

LCI - Check Clean Dry.wmvKeep your eyes peeled on the local news networks for LCI's "Check, Clean, Dry" public service announcement! Watch the video to make sure you and fellow anglers and boaters are doing your part to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species. Watch it now...
ThinkYouKnowChamplainThink You Know Champlain? back to top 

September Edition: A dinosaur among us 

Like Elvis, dinosaurs are not dead. Don't believe me? Well, it's true ... sort of. While they might not be dinosaurs per say, they are really really REALLY old. Read more...

LCILCI back to top  

LCI Executive Director meets with EPA Administrator

Lisa Jackson and Senator Bernie Sanders 

LCI's Executive Director, James Ehlers, met with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Senator Bernie Sanders at the Senator's office in Burlington. James was invited to express Vermont's water concerns and priorities and how the EPA can assist with improving our waters. The meeting will help protect and improve the health of our waters and economy throughout the Lake Champlain Basin.  

LCI Executive Director named to another national committee 

James with background James Ehlers, LCI's Executive Director, was reappointed to a third term on the American Sportfishing Association's (ASA) Government Affairs Committee and the FishAmerica Foundation Research Committee. James was also appointed to his first term on the ASA Conservation Committee. James' involvement with these committees has been exceptionally valuable to the conservation of Lake Champlain over the years. Congratulations, James!

LCI formally requests Champlain Canal records from New York

State Canal Corporation 



To read LCI's letter to the New York State Canal Corporation, click here.

LCI partnerships successful: protecting river access

and the health of our waters 

LCI is proud to be associated with the the Vermont River Conservancy's (VRC) recent accomplishment of protecting the Enosburgh Falls River Access Park. Through a donation to VRC, LCI contributed to the project to ensure public access to the Missisquoi River for paddling, fishing, and swimming opportunities. Read more...

LCI and the Vermont Land Trust understand that protecting our waters sometimes starts in the mountains. By protecting the Bolton Valley backcountry from development, we are helping protect Joiner Brook, the Winooski River, and Lake Champlain. LCI contributed funds to protect this land and our waters. Learn more about this project... 

LCI Executive Director motivates St. Albans citizens  

to tackle local pollution 

As the Keynote Speaker of the St. Albans Area Watershed Association Annual Meeting, James Ehlers motivated a crowd of more than 50 people to keep at the issues that cause pollution in St. Albans Bay. Just outside the window, "beach closed" signs served as a reminder of the progress that needs to take place to restore the degraded bay.



James and LCI are always willing to help local groups achieve water restoration efforts ... contact us to learn how we can help.

Shop, Save, & Protect the Lake All At Once

goodshop logo Help LCI help Lake Champlain just by purchasing what you already are planning to!  Sign up for GoodShop, and many of your purchases will include a donation to LCI ... at no extra cost to you!  Learn about GoodShop here...

Are you prepared for BBQs, picnics, and camping? 

EarthSmart plates, bowls, spoons, knives, forks, bait cups, and toilet paper ... the best of the best in disposable meal kits and home/camping needs. Visit HelpTheLake.org to order your supplies and LCI will receive funds to help protect our lake! Equip yourself this summer...
Fishing more than your spouse likes you to?
Here are some great gift ideas to get you out of trouble! Plus, rest well knowing that a portion of your purchase goes straight into Lake Champlain protection efforts. 

      

AnglingHeritageAngling Heritage back to top
"Let's Go Fishing" now on Facebook!
Head on over to Facebook and check out the new Let's Go Fishing page! A program to teach kids and families the basics of fishing, Let's Go Fishing will be a partnership between LCI and Vermont Fish & Wildlife starting this fall! Check out & "like" the Facebook page...
VIDEO: Everyday adventures - Kids fishing trip

To get kids hooked on fishing, it might take a little something different from your regular fishing trips. Check out this video and article to read a "top ten" list of fishing with kids!
ThomasTalksThomas Talks back to top

Pesticides are killers 

In this section, check out the thoughts of avid angler, expert fly-tyer, Vermonter, LCI member, and 10-year-old Thomas Drummey. This month, Thomas talks about the startling effects of pesticides on fish.

19th LCI All-Season Tournament presented by Gander Mountain

Helping our youngsters
Here's your chance to win cash and prizes while fishing all season long! Find out more & register...
   

13th LCI Evinrude Fox Marine Bass Open presented by Twisted Tea 

$3,000 to first place
Two-person teams
Launch from Malletts Bay in Colchester, VT
Sunday, September 2nd
   

3-D Bow Shoot - to benefit Conservation Camp sponsorships
Mendon Fish & Game Club is hosting its annual 3-D Bow Shoot on September 22 from 7am-3pm and September 23 from 7am-1pm in Mendon, VT. Cost is only $10 per person and all proceeds go to sponsoring kids for the 2013 Green Mountain Conservation Camp! Learn more...

____________________________________________ 

 

kid fishing edited

 

Lake Champlain International, Inc.                          

531 Main Street

Colchester, VT 05446

802.879.3466  Fax: 802.879.1746

  

a 501(c)(3) organization


www.mychamplain.net

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This Month's Supporter

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Good Links to Know
 LCI Staff
James Ehlers
Executive Director 

Eric LaMontagne
Outreach Director 

Ross Saxton
Director of Conservation & Education 

Liz Ehlers
Business Manager 

Wayne Laroche
Chief Scientist

Meet the LCI Staff! 
 LCI Board of Directors
Dave Adams

Michael Brigham
Secretary

James Ehlers

Jason Galipeau

Scott Goddard

President

 

Julie Moore

 

Frank Petrosino
Treasurer

 

Bob Qua

Mike Rapacz

Craig Roskam

Bob Shannon

Frank Stanley
 LCI Advisory Council 
Aleksandra Drizo, Ph.D.

Jim Douglas, Governor (2003-2011)

Brian Grenon, Ph.D.

Gary Henry, M.S.

Janette Henry, M.S.

Timothy B. Mihuc, Ph.D.

April Moulaert, M.S.


 
Lake Champlain International (LCI) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization actively involved in shaping the future of Lake Champlain's water and fisheries health for the well-being of the people who depend on it today and tomorrow.  To protect, restore, and revitalize Lake Champlain and its communities, LCI educates, advocates, and motivates to ensure that Lake Champlain is swimmable, drinkable, and fishable, understanding that healthy water resources are essential for a healthy economy and a healthy community.