Vermont Protects Lake Champlain’s Legendary Creature, ‘Champ’
On April 29, 1986, the Vermont Legislature passed a resolution to protect “Champ,” the legendary creature said to inhabit Lake Champlain. The resolution stipulates that any such creature should not be disturbed, injured, or harassed, and calls for scientific inquiry into its existence.
A History of Sightings and Legend
Stories of a creature in Lake Champlain date back centuries, originating with the Indigenous people of the region, the Abenaki and the Iroquois. The Abenaki referred to the creature as Gitaskog, describing it as a large, horned serpent or giant snake. They warned French explorers in the 18th century against disturbing the lake and its inhabitant.
Samuel de Champlain, for whom the lake is named, documented seeing large fish in the area, describing one as being up to ten feet long with a large head and sharp teeth. While historians believe Champlain may have observed a garfish or lake sturgeon, his account contributed to the ongoing legend.
Legislative Protection
The 1986 Vermont resolution followed a similar measure passed in New York, demonstrating a shared interest in protecting the creature should it exist. The Vermont legislation specifically requests “serious scientific inquiry into the existence of any unusual animal” in Lake Champlain.
Despite decades of reported sightings and local lore, no conclusive scientific evidence has confirmed the existence of Champ. Nevertheless, the resolution remains a unique part of Vermont’s history, reflecting the state’s respect for both its wildlife and its cultural legends.
Champ in Popular Culture
The legend of Champ continues to thrive in the Lake Champlain region. The Lake Monsters, a baseball team, use Champ as their mascot, and a statue of the creature stands in Port Henry, New York.