Eagle Times Staff
RUTLAND, Vt. — Vermont Fish and Wildlife have announced that a longnose gar taken by a bowfishing angler in 2023 has been certified as a new state record.
In May of 2023, Pennsylvania angler Jeremy Bicking was out bowfishing in the evening on Lake Champlain and took a gar that weighed 18.6 pounds. This big fish measured 54.75 inches in length, a quarter inch longer, but 3 ounces lighter than the current record Longnose Gar taken by rod and reel in 2007. State records are kept separately for four species of fish that can be taken both by hook-and-line and bowfishing.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist Shawn Good, who administers the state’s Record Fish Program, says in recent years, anglers have expanded their species preferences to include many of the state’s under-appreciated but equally challenging native sport fish species.
“While fishing remains excellent for more traditional sport fish species such as bass, trout, walleye, and pike, there are so many other fish out there that can provide amazing action with real trophy potential. Fish like bowfin, gar, freshwater drum, suckers and even fallfish — Vermont’s largest native minnow species — the opportunities are endless,” said Good.
For more information on Vermont’s fishing opportunities, Record Fish Program and more, visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s Fish page at vtfishandwildlife.com/fish.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.