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I had a perch carcass I just filleted from Colchester pond that was slowly moving...... Couple tapeworms. And white worms in the flesh..... It all went into the trash. Never again!!
They do exist in the Winooski, at least I've caught pike near Bolton, but I don't think they can get to Waterbury by themselves... I don't think any fish can get there by itself with two dams to cross.
Everyone automatically assumes it was a person who did it...the mob mentality on that front is rediculous. Who knows how they got in there? Does that part really matter to the fishery? I'm sure the tank scrubbers that are stocked there don't know any different. I will make note of the location though because pike that eat trout grow fast!
Do you have a different theory as to how they got there? Because I can't think of another likely scenario, other than human activity.
I am not one to make a baseless speculation but if you talk to a fish bio or do a Google search there are plenty of other ways a species can setup in a different body of water.
"From August 28 to 29, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene delivered rainfall ranging from approximately 4 to more than 7 inches in the Winooski River Basin in Vermont. The rainfall resulted in severe fooding throughout the basin and signifcant damage along the Winooski River. In response to the fooding, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, conducted a new food study to aid in food recovery and restoration and to assist in food forecasting. The study resulted in two sets of food maps that depict the fooding for an 8.3-mile reach of the Winooski River from about 1,000 feet downstream of the Waterbury-Bolton, Vermont, town line upstream to about 2,000 feet upstream of the Waterbury-Middlesex, Vt., town line."Point being I'd think flooding moved some pike into the res. Before blindly jumping on the all so popular bucket biologist track....
More chance of a pike growing wings and flying into the res than it migrating flooded water, lol.
Ha! I expected a logical retort from you! Nice work!
Just for your information, the dam is over 100' tall with a near vertical spillway and there is a really steep gorge on the little river before you get to the winooski. I also doubt there are any pike on that section of the winooski. Yes Irene caused some big flows in that area but there is nothing in the watershed that "should" have pike.
"Dang bucket biologists let's get them" which is a defeatist attitude that casts a black cloud on all fishermen with any anti's. We keep beating that drum and the next thing you know water bodies will be closed "to prevent the man made introduction of non native species"
I know the odds are long, but would it be possible that the pike was introduced to the res by way of bait buckets? Meaning, a very small pike is caught in a minnow trap, and the bait was (illegally) used then the remaining bait dumped? Not that it matters at all, but I was trying to be optimistic and think of a way pike might have been unintentionally into'd there.
I know the odds are long, but would it be possible that the pike was introduced to the res by way of bait buckets? Meaning, a very small pike is caught in a minnow trap, and the bait was (illegally) used then the remaining bait dumped?
You seem to be suggesting that we ought to ignore the fact that stocking fish into new waterbodies is illegal, lest some cabal of anti-fishing folks get some extra ammo? Can't really buy into that idea. Fact is, the evidence points to illegal stocking in this case, and whoever did it should be held accountable if and when they are caught, however unlikely that may be. If we all just sit silent on the sidelines, next thing you know we'll all only have asian carp to catch someday.
I can see how it comes off that way and can appreciate the thoughtfulness. Unfortunately it's difficult to get things across the line 100% with typed words. Anyways, I am not suggesting that. What I am suggesting is, that it's the default answer posed in a number of these cases, oftentimes without warrant. In this case maybe not and again I do understand and am happy to be wrong for the sake of discussion. I think we can all do a better job of being vocal about these things without providing fodder for those that wish to prevent us from fishing. Birds and the fish thing is interesting. I agree with you we can't be silent. Self policing is very important. Avoiding the mob mentality and not being perceived as a bunch of beer drinking idiots is also important. However, I do laugh over the irony. Our government can decide to shove tank scrubbers where ever they wish. Anyone ever read about what's happening to the Pacific Salmon with all the supplemental stocking from the feds...of the same species...it's an angle I think should be understood if this topic is to be discussed.You should google up Kingfisher moving fish and read about it...neat stuff.