The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department today announced that trout originally planned for the 2022 stocking season at Sugar Hill Reservoir, also known as Goshen Dam, in Goshen will be diverted to other area waterways for anglers. The shift is being made to ensure there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Vermont’s waterways, while on-going safety enhancements are made to the Goshen dam.
“Goshen Dam has always been a popular place for anglers. The yearling and trophy-sized brook trout we stock there attract anglers from all over the area,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist Shawn Good. “It’s in a beautiful setting in the Green Mountain National Forest, and the fishing platform and access facilities Green Mountain Power and the National Forest provide and maintain make it a great fishing destination.”
The reservoir was slated to receive an April stocking of 1,350 yearling brook trout averaging nine inches and 450 two-year old “Trophy Brook Trout” averaging thirteen inches in length, according to Good.
The trout are being reallocated to Lefferts Pond in Chittenden, Smith Pond in Pittsford, Silver Lake in Leicester, and Prentiss Pond in Dorset.
A drawdown for dam improvements on the 58-acre waterbody will be in place again this summer. This important dam safety project is expected to be completed during the 2022 construction season with refill beginning potentially by the end of the summer. Water levels this year will be similar to those in 2021.
“Obviously, these important safety repairs will make it impossible for normal trout stocking to occur there this year, and it will also eliminate fishing opportunities in general. In the meantime, trout normally destined for Goshen Dam will provide anglers with increased opportunities at other area waterways,” said Good.
Good says that state and federal agencies will be working with Green Mountain Power to develop a plan to restore Sugar Hill Reservoir and its aquatic and fish communities for 2023 and beyond once repairs are completed and the reservoir is refilled.
In the meantime, most facilities at Sugar Hill Reservoir will be inaccessible this season, including the roundabout at the reservoir, the access road across the dam, and the road to the plunge pool area due to contractor parking, vehicle traffic, equipment operation, and for safety reasons.
U.S. Forest Service biologist Jeremy Mears says local anglers can still find plenty of fishing opportunities in the area’s National Forest.
“There are still many places for anglers to enjoy fishing on the National Forest,” said Mears. Stream fishing for native brook trout is abundant throughout the area, and there also are opportunities for shore fishing at Chittenden Reservoir, Blueberry Lake or Silver Lake. Please be sure to check the Green Mountain National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmfl/home) for updates before you go.”
For helpful information on finding fishing locations near you, visit the department’s access area and family fishing pages at:
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/boating-in-vermont/fishing-access-ar…
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/fish/fishing-opportunities