Vermont

A targeted survey was conducted in spring 2022 to assess the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. This was the first targeted spring panfish survey on Lake Vermont and will be used as a baseline to evaluate the effects of the new Quality Sunfish Initiative (QSI) regulation. On March 1, 2022, a special regulation was implemented that reduced the daily limit of sunfish from 20 to 10. The goal of the new regulation is to maintain or increase the average size of Bluegill. This survey also offered the opportunity to sample larger Black Crappie, which can be difficult to sample in standard summer surveys. Lake Vermont supports a quality Bluegill and Black Crappie fishery. Survey results suggest both populations exhibited moderate abundance and good size structure. Almost 55% of Bluegill sampled exceeded 8 inches and almost 29% of Black Crappie sampled exceeded 10 inches. The largest fish measured was just over 10 inches for Bluegill and almost 12 inches for Black Crappie. Panfish anglers fishing Lake Vermont are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help sustain the quality of this fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while promoting harvest of more abundant smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish will help maintain fish community balance as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

A targeted survey of nearshore and littoral fish species in Vermont Lake was conducted beginning on June 22nd, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, a 15-foot seine was used at four stations, and site conditions (soft sediment and deep water) prevented the use of seines at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted the week of June 22nd, 2021 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and biomass. Bluegill count per net was between the 50th and 75th quartile, while the Bluegill mean weight was above the 75th quartile for similar Lake Class 25 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2020 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish, Fathead Minnows, and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Long Prairie Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2020 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Lake Vermont. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Long Prairie River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Fourteen species were collected during this survey. Three species (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" and one species (Green Sunfish) was considered "tolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Lake Vermont.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, and Green Sunfish in Vermont. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Vermont. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Vermont has a maximum depth of 59 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Vermont is from 2022.

No invasive species are on record for Vermont in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.