Catch and release regulations have often been very successful in the U. S. These regulations include no kill regulations as well as minimum length limits or slot limits. In fact in 1987-1989 The New Haven River had the first "no kill, artificial flies and lures only" regulation in the state on a 3.5 mile stretch of the river. After three years of this special regulation neither trout densities nor numbers of large trout had increased. Limited in stream cover and high water temperatures were the most likely reasons for the failure of this regulation and it was removed in 1990. Other rivers such as the Little River 2 day 15" minimum length limit (1987-1993) for Rainbow trout did not have any dramatic improvement in the density or size structure of the Rainbow population. As with the New Haven River evaluation, habitat and water quality limitations probably precluded a positive response to the trout population. Two other rivers in Vermont that still have special regulations 1994 to present are the White River on a 3.1 mile section of the river and the famed Battenkill River on a 2.1 and 3.8 mile section of the river. Angling pressure on the White River has remained stable despite the elimination of bait anglers in this section. Conversely through creel surveys, angling pressure on the Battenkill has dropped off 71% since 1988 and total trout catch rates have dropped off 93% for the same period. The lack of improved wild trout fishing quality in these restrictive harvest waters strongly suggest other factors rather than angling pressure are limiting the population size and structure.

In December 1998 the department of Fish and Wildlife presented background information to the Fish and Wildlife Board on how a list of candidate waters were chosen. Some of this information included the distribution and collection of opinion surveys, public meetings and additional angler and trout population surveys. Biological criteria included stream productivity as defined in Vermont where a stream maintains population levels of at lest 30/lbs. per acre and or 400 trout> 6 inches per mile. Another biological criteria would be streams that harbor quality size 12"Rainbow trout of and Brown trout and 10" Brook Trout that are generally attained by age 3. Streams exhibiting high fishing pressure (500 angler hours per mile) and angler harvest (exploitation rates exceeding 35%) would be good candidates to expect a population response from restrictive regulations. Fish and Wildlife also considered other important social criteria such as public access to special regulation stream reaches, gear use and public support, which is important for angler compliance. In Vermont 63% of resident trout anglers fish with bait in stream while less than 20% fish often with artificial flies and lures. Most Vermont bait anglers (52%) and lure anglers (50%) did support the use of length limits to improve trout fishing quality in streams (VDFW 1993). Bait angling may be compatible with special regulation management if it is simply the goal to improve current trout angling quality rather than optimal angling quality. This philosophy is evident by this year's new special regulation as the department of F&W has targeted only the Lamoille River for gear restrictions.

Vermont is fortunate to have a wealth of streams supporting wild trout populations, which include hundreds of miles of upland streams supporting wild brook trout populations. Upland brook trout populations are generally slow growing and short lived. These populations do not normally require restrictive regulations. The Department of Fish and Wildlife evaluated much larger rivers that would respond to the criteria as stated above. Approximately twelve Vermont rivers were evaluated as potential candidate rivers. The three-year process culminated in choosing these five rivers to have the potential for improving angling quality by implementing specialized harvest regulations for wild trout. These specialized regulations have a five-year evaluation process to measure the potential for success. This evaluation period may include one or more of the following components. Angler Creel surveys which will be conducted at a minimum of one-year prior or during the first year of the regulation as well as at year five. These surveys will measure fishing effort, angler catch rates, harvest statistics, angler opinions and satisfaction. There will also be trout population monitoring efforts annually to include trout age and growth characteristics. Trout stocking will be discontinued in these special regulation areas of the stream. Stocked fish in adjacent stream segment areas under evaluation will be marked annually to differentiate between wild and stocked species of trout.

The 4.1 mile stretch of the New Haven River for the most part fits all the criteria to make it a potentially a successful candidate. Some segments of this stretch have exhibited the highest population counts on the entire river. Fisheries biologists have conducted population counts along the New Haven River for many years and do have one area as a "controlled area" section in this stretch slotted for special regulations. Angler input is paramount for the success of this program. The department cannot effectively utilize all their resources with out continued public support and input. The New Haven River Anglers Association over the years has assisted the department in various capacities and will continue with its efforts in the future. As stated in its bylaws "dedicated to a quality fishery" it is the hope that this special regulation will strengthen this philosophy.