August 17, 2017 Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Department Mission ........................................................................................................................ 5 Fish Division Goals ........................................................................................................................ 6 Bass Biology ................................................................................................................................... 6 Largemouth Bass ........................................................................................................................ 6 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 6 Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Reproduction and Early Development .................................................................................... 9 Diet .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Age and Growth ...................................................................................................................... 9 Smallmouth Bass ...................................................................................................................... 12 Distribution ........................................................................................................................... 12 Habitat ................................................................................................................................... 12 Reproduction and Early Development .................................................................................. 12 Diet ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Age and Growth .................................................................................................................... 13 Fish Community Interactions .................................................................................................... 14 Pathogens and Parasites ............................................................................................................ 15 Bass Population Assessment and Fisheries Status ........................................................................ 16 River Fisheries .......................................................................................................................... 20 Management .................................................................................................................................. 20 Vermont Regulation History ..................................................................................................... 20 Regulation of Angler Harvest ................................................................................................... 21 Creel Limits .......................................................................................................................... 21 Length Limits ........................................................................................................................ 22 Season Restrictions ............................................................................................................... 24 Open Water vs. Ice Fishing ................................................................................................... 25 Early Spring Catch and Release Season ............................................................................... 27 Gear Restrictions ................................................................................................................... 28 General Regulations .............................................................................................................. 28 Specialized Regulations ........................................................................................................ 29 Interjurisdictional Waters ...................................................................................................... 29 Bass Tournaments ..................................................................................................................... 29 2 Introductions of Bass and their Forage ..................................................................................... 31 Past Introductions.................................................................................................................. 31 Potential Benefits of Bass and Forage Fish Introductions .................................................... 31 Potential Risks of Bass and Forage Fish Introductions ........................................................ 32 Current Regulations .............................................................................................................. 34 Process for Bass and Forage Fish Introductions ................................................................... 34 Bass Habitat Management ............................................................................................................ 35 Importance of Aquatic Vegetation ............................................................................................ 35 Aquatic Vegetation Control ...................................................................................................... 36 Recommendations. ................................................................................................................ 37 Shoreline Development ............................................................................................................. 38 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 38 Water Level Manipulation ........................................................................................................ 39 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 41 Habitat Enhancement ................................................................................................................ 41 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 44 Citations ........................................................................................................................................ 45 Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 60 APPENDIX I – A. Largemouth Bass Growth .......................................................................... 61 APPENDIX I – B. Smallmouth Bass Growth .......................................................................... 62 APPENDIX II – A. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Quality – Largemouth Bass ....................... 63 APPENDIX II – B. Electrofishing Catch Rates -Preferred – Largemouth Bass ...................... 64 APPENDIX II – C. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Memorable – Largemouth Bass ................. 65 APPENDIX II – D. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Quality – Smallmouth Bass ....................... 66 APPENDIX II – E. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Preferred – Smallmouth Bass ..................... 67 APPENDIX II – F. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Memorable – Smallmouth Bass ................. 68 APPENDIX II – G. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Quality - Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass ................................................................................................................................................... 69 APPENDIX II – H. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Quality - Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass ................................................................................................................................................... 70 APPENDIX II – I. Electrofishing Catch Rates – Preferred - Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass ........................................................................................................................................... 71 APPENDIX III - History of Bass Regulation in Vermont ....................................................... 72 APPENDIX IV - Bass Regulation in Vermont ......................................................................... 74 3 Introduction Largemouth (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) (collectively referred to as “black bass”) are two of the most popular recreational fish species targeted by resident and non-resident anglers in Vermont waters (Connelly and Knuth 2010). Their popularity compels consistent, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable fisheries management that utilizes tools such as data collection, regulations, and habitat management to optimize the fishing experience for Vermont’s bass anglers. To that end, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s (VTFWD) Bass Management Team has collected, compiled, and analyzed data; reviewed the scientific literature; and had many discussions to develop this Statewide Management Plan for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. This document includes an overview of black bass biology, summaries of data collected from Vermont’s bass fisheries, descriptions