Post Tournament Release Movements Of Black Bass In Lake Champlain

The date collected in this study provides a much needed starting point for further bass research on Lake Champlain. In addition, results give managers some insight into Lake Champlain bass tournaments, and their potential impacts on bass populations. This report contains detailed information on fish stress and mortality (using a method developed by the Lake Champlain Research Institute) and fish dispersal (using both T-bar tagging and telemetry). This information was used to make recommendations to improve tournament practices and for further research projects to better maintain Lake Champlain's high quality black bass fishery. Recommendations include better communication of existing scientific research to tournament organizers and anglers, moving the release point away from the Plattsburgh waterfront, and the establishment of a long-term monitoring program of the warmwater fishery in Lake Champlain. Finally, ideas for continuing research on black bass on Lake Champlain are listed.