The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is again stocking a new strain of rainbow trout

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is again stocking a new strain of rainbow trout and is looking for help from anglers to evaluate its performance.

“Vermont stocks about 115,000 rainbow trout annually into inland rivers and lakes,” said fisheries biologist Lee Simard. “We are evaluating the new Eagle Lake strain of rainbow trout against our traditionally stocked strain. The Eagle Lake strain is currently stocked in many states, including Maine and Michigan, and could be a great fit for Vermont as well.” The two strains are the same species, but genetic differences can impact their behavior and performance. Both strains will be stocked sideby- side into 12 waterbodies across Vermont and will be compared based on their catchability, survivability and growth to see if the Eagle Lake strain performs better after stocking. The two strains look very similar but can be identified by a clipped ventral fin, found on the underside of the fish about halfway along its body. A missing left fin indicates the new Eagle Lake strain. “To help us evaluate the new Eagle Lake strain, we are asking anglers to report to us the rainbow trout they catch from the waterbodies included in this evaluation,” Simard said. “Take a picture of the trout that clearly shows the missing fin. Then submit that picture and catch report on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website or by using the Vermont Outdoors app on a smartphone. Over half of our results in 2023 came from reports submitted directly by anglers. These reports are critical and will directly influence our management of stocked rainbow trout in Vermont.”

 A Newport man faces drunken driving and a slew of other charges after police say a wild drive Tuesday night nearly ended in a crash on the Causeway. Newport Police say Kaleb Earle, 23, sped by the Main Street police station around 8 p,m., alerting officers with his loud engine exhaust. They say he then crossed the double yellow line and drove in the oncoming lane. Police tried to pull him over but say he accelerated onto Access Road, nearly flipping the pickup. Officers eventually pulled Earle over and arrested him. He’s was charged with DUI, grossly negligent operation, driving with a criminally suspended license, and reckless endangerment. There were no reported injuries.