Courtesy: Google

The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife wants to make fishing along sections of the Dog River in Washington County, strictly catch and release.

The lower stretch of the Dog River between Junction Bridge in Montpelier and the Northfield Falls Dam has had abundant populations of wild rainbow and brown trout since the nineties, but has declined since the turn of the century.

The new legislation is designed to reduce trout mortality so biologists can determine what is causing the decrease in the trout population along that part of the river.  Regulations also require anglers to use artificial lures.

There is currently no catch and release restrictions on any Northeast Kingdom rivers.