St A Bay Wednesday 2/21: anyone?

[vtcountrychamp]

A few years ago we were pulling them off by the hundreds of pounds during the last week of March into the first week of April, from Hathaway point up to near the boat launch, close to shore. Not sure if they are changing their habits, or if we put a big dent in their population those years. Would be interesting to know if whites tend to spawn on the same areas they were born, like some fish. If so, the damage that was inflected a few years ago might explain this.

Last year was like that. There was probably over 1,000 pounds sold to bayside in a 3 day span between everyone.

[VTMatt]

Like I said years back, populations boomed and now theyre leveling out. It will most likely be hit or miss from this point on. No more guaranteed buckets full in March and April.

[thefishingweatherman]

Last year was like that. There was probably over 1,000 pounds sold to bayside in a 3 day span between everyone.

That's actually pretty low numbers compared to a few years ago. Bayside told me a few years back they had estimated 20,000 pounds came through that season. Me and 4 friends caught 26 5 gallon buckets full in one day that year, which came in at close to 850 pounds. Wouldn't mind a couple more buckets this year to pull me through the season, but seems like a big ask this year.

[Floatman]

According to a 1998 Field & Stream article, biologists estimated that ice fisherman caught 86,000 white perch the previous winter averaging 9” from the area off scotch bonnet, just north of button bay.  Nothing like that there anymore. 

[VTMatt]

I may start off at Hathaway in the morning. Feel free to say hi if you see me. Blue and grey striker suit, Ion and white rod holder on my sled.

[fishy1]

According to a 1998 Field & Stream article, biologists estimated that ice fisherman caught 86,000 white perch the previous winter averaging 9” from the area off scotch bonnet, just north of button bay.  Nothing like that there anymore.
[/quote
hardly ever safe ice in that area anymore mostly none at all . trolling that area at times cant keep the whites off the lures. not sure about the population increasing or decreasing but there are still plenty all the way down past the champlain bridge

[JMailbox8]

Last spring when I was bullhead fishing in Otter Creek I was catching more whites than bullhead. Not good.

[got1]

Has any1 been by st.albans? Is there enough open water for kayak or boat?

[stick eyes]

open water by black bridge. still lots of ice ...it would be limited as to where you could go. You could park at the georgia mill river access and put your kayak in near the mouth of the river. Saw a fish and game truck parked there yesterday.

[got1]

Thanks man...