Vermont State Cold Water Fish

Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis Adopted: May 3, 1978, April 13, 2012

Vermont State Fish: Brook Trout
Courtesy: N.Y. Department of Conservation

Adoption of the Vermont State Cold Water Fish

Joint Resolution R-91 of the Acts of 1978, effective on May 3, 1978, designated not one but two State Fishes: the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as the cold water fish, and the Walleye Pike (Stizosedion vitreum vitreum) as the warm water fish. Both are handsome, sporty and tasty game fish. The Brook Trout is the state's only trout native to its streams. Its mature weight varies considerably, depending on habitat in both cold brooks and ponds, but generally averages under a pound. The biggest Brook Trout caught in Vermont since official records began in 1969 weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. The Walleye Pike, found in many Vermont lakes, takes its name from its unusual "marble" eyes which in certain light look very light or transparent. Its mature weight is four to eight pounds and the biggest one caught since 1969 weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz.

------- from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 18.

Vermont Law

Because the brook trout was adopted by Joint Resolution, it is not listed in the Vermont Statutes alongside other symbols such as the state bird, the state flower, and the state amphibian.

Sources...

Vermont Emblems, Facts and Figures. Vermont Department of Libraries. 2008. 19 March 2009
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

Vermont's Wild Brook Trout A Hidden Treasure: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Salvelinus fontinalis (brook trout): University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web.

Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814): Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2008.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (12/2008).

Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814): Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Here you will find authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

Salvelinus fontinalis: CalPhoto photographs. The Biodiversity Sciences Technology group (BSCIT), a part of the Berkeley Natural History Museums at the University of California, Berkeley.

Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture

Brook Trout: Conservation information from Trout Unlimited.

Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture: The nation's first pilot project under the National Fish Habitat Initiative, which directs locally-driven efforts that build private and public partnerships to improve fish habitat. The long-term goals of the EBTJV are to develop a comprehensive restoration and education strategy to improve aquatic habitat, to raise education awareness, and to raise federal, state and local funds for brook trout conservation.

State Fish: Complete list of official state fish.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official New Hampshire state symbols.

Fishing in Vermont: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Trout Streams of Northern New England: A Guide to the Best Fly-Fishing in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, by David Klausmeyer. 224 pages. Countryman Press; 1st edition (November 2001) Guide to the best fly-fishing for trout and landlocked salmon in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Northern New England is known for its many beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams - and for outstanding fly-fishing. From Vermont's Battenkill, to the headwaters of the mighty Connecticut in New Hampshire, to the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers in Maine, David Klausmeyer has investigated the far reaches of northern New England to recommend the very best fly-fishing for trout and landlocked salmon.

Hatch Guide for New England Streams, by Thomas, Jr. Ames. 271 pages. Frank Amato Publications (December 2000) Explores insects of New England. Covers: readingwater; presentations for New England streams, tackle; night fishing; more. Ames discusses the natural its behaviors on theleft-hand page the three best flies to imitate it on the right,including proper size effective techniques.

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide, by Tom Rosenbauer. 288 pages. The Lyons Press; Rev Upd edition (January 1, 2007) "This Guide may be the single most valuable item a novice angler can buy . . . and most of us would do well to re-read the sections on flies, fly selection, and stream tactics every spring before pulling on our waders for the first time."--Rod & Reel

Brook Trout
by Nick Karas

Brook Trout, by Nick Karas. 388 pages. The Lyons Press; 1st edition (November 2002) The much maligned brook trout gets star billing in this encyclopedic, readable study of Salvelinus fontinalis from Newsday outdoor columnist Karas.

The Brook Trout and the Determined Angler, By Charles Barker Bradford. 88 pages. Read Country Books (June 1, 2005) First published in the U.S.A. in 1900. The author was a well known fisherman and a prolific sporting writer who contributed many articles to the American field sports press of that era. This book is a collection of some of the best of these. Illustrated by full page black and white illustrations and photos and a number of small pen and ink sketches.

Brook Trout Canvas

Canvas Print, The Brook Trout, by George Sheringham. (Showing Brilliant or Breeding Season Coloration) - 30" x 20" Canvas Print stretched over wood frame.

Trout and Salmon of North America
by Robert J. Behnke

Trout and Salmon of North America, by Robert J. Behnke. 384 pages. Free Press (September 24, 2002) Behnke, professor emeritus of fishery and wildlife biology at Colorado State University, has brought his more than 50 years of studying, and fishing for salmon and trout, to wonderful effect. He provides readers with an authoritative compendium of the evolution, biology, ecology, habitats and behaviors of these prized game fish. A capsule legend that includes scientific name, other common names, habitat, size, life span and diet accompanies each entry, amazingly illustrated by Tomelleri, whose fish seem to shimmer on the pages. Habitat maps, which include coastal waters, rivers, streams and lakes, are detailed and specific enough to be taken on fishing excursions. The book includes a good deal of fishing lore, as in the notations that describe the best flies, bait and lures for specific types of fish and locales.

About Trout: The Best of Robert Behnke from Trout Magazine, by Robert J. Behnke. 272 pages. The Lyons Press (September 1, 2007) Behnke brings scientific expertise, a sense of humor and a flair for drama to this collection of 43 essays previously published as his About Trout column in conservation organization Trout Unlimited's Trout magazine. Behnke considers the evolution, historic and current distribution, biological characteristics and defining physical traits of various species of trout and salmon-from the common brown trout and well-known Atlantic salmon to the rare Apache trout and the once-presumed extinct, now-endangered Alvord cutthroat trout.

Trout Rigs & Methods
by Dave Hughes

Trout, by Ray Bergman. 576 pages. The Derrydale Press (October 25, 2000) Trout is arguably the finest single volume ever produced on how, why, and where to catch trout. In spite of being originally published in 1938 (Penn Publishing Company), it remains utterly relevant.

Trout Rigs & Methods, by Dave Hughes. 322 pages. Stackpole Books (January 10, 2007) Clear and simple instruction and explanation describes 18 trout rigs and 81 methods to fish them. In moving water: rigs and methods for dry flies and emergers, nymphs, wet flies, streamers, and dry flies and droppers. In stillwater: dry flies and sunk flies.Fly fishers learn the specifics of the rig--types of fly line, lengths and tapers of leader and tippet, the flies, and split shot, putty weight, strike indicators, droppers, point flies, and indicators--and the full array of methods to present the rig to the trout.

Essential Trout Flies, by Dave Hughes. 92 pages. Stackpole Books (April 2000) A core list of flies that will catch trout anywhere, in every season, this collection includes the most important patterns in a wide range of styles, from dry flies to streamers. The tying steps for each pattern are illustrated in step-by-step photos with detailed captions, followed by photos and recipes for the six most useful variations-217 patterns in all. Each chapter features a description of the insect the pattern imitates as well as expert information on how and when to fish the fly.

Trout & Salmon, [ Magazine Subscription ] Features, news on all aspects of game fishing.

Complete line of fishing equipment including rods, reels, rod and reel combinations, fly fishing gear, bait and spin casting rods and reels, ice fishing equipment, lures and flies, and other accessories. All major brands.

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