MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2011

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2011"

Transcription

1 MS -434 MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 20 Report For Project 09: Freshwater Commercial Fishery Coordination Freshwater Fisheries Report No. 279 Project Leader: Garry Lucas Sections: PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY MOON LAKE SPECIAL FISH HARVEST SEASON FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY HARVEST SURVEY

2

3 MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 20 Table of Contents List of Tables..4 List of Figures.5 Abstract...6 Mississippi Freshwater Commercial Fishery During Fiscal Year 20 7 Goals for the Paddlefish Commercial 8 Statistics on the Freshwater Commercial Fishery for Paddlefish 9 Moon Lake Special Nongame Gross Fish Harvest Season...9 Moon Lake Paddlefish Fishery Monitoring and Stock Assessment..24 Moon Lake Paddlefish Population Estimate..25 Freshwater Commercial Fishery Harvest Survey...27 Statistics on the Survey of the Freshwater Commercial Fishery for C Y Literature Cited..37 APPENDICES A. Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 39 B. Guide To Commercial Harvest Of Paddlefish For The Season Paddlefish Sale Transaction Form Paddlefish Processor Report Form.62 C. Guide To Summer Harvest Of Paddlefish...63 D. Freshwater Commercial Fishing Report Requirements Introductory Flyer Survey Form Harvest Report Form 72 E Comparison Of Paddlefish Harvest By Harvest Zones Season...74 F. Commercial Fishing License Sales History FY982-FY

4 Table Number List of Tables Page Table. History Of Regulations for the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish..0 Table 2. Paddlefish Catch, Harvest and Egg Data Table 3. Paddlefish CPUE (catch per net set) of Paddlefish Harvester Permit Holders...5 Table 4. Paddlefish Catch, Harvest and Egg Data for by Zones 6 Table 5. Paddlefish Caviar Retail Products and Retail Value Produced by Paddlefish Processors in Table 6. Nongame Gross Fish Harvest at Moon Lake in December Table 7. Nongame Gross Fish Harvest at Moon Lake in February Table 8. Population Estimate for Paddlefish in Moon Lake for February 6, Table 9. Paddlefish Catch and Harvest Data from Moon Lake.27 Table 0. Harvest poundage of nongame gross fish reported by respondents to Commercial fishing surveys for CY2008, CY2009 and CY Table. Grouping of Survey Respondents by Participation in the Fishery for Table 2. Estimated Total Harvest by Commercial Fishing for CY200.3 Table 3. Comparison of Total Harvest (poundage) by Commercial Fishing for Table 4. Fishing gear effort by respondents to the commercial fishing survey for CY Table 5. Response to Survey Questions on Why a Person Purchased a Freshwater Commercial Fishing License to Fish During CY Table 6. Comparison of POS collected data for FY2003-FY2007 with CY2008 -CY200 survey data..33 Table 7. Respondents comments on regulation changes.34 Table 8. Respondents comments on Fishery Enhancement Items..35 Table 9-. How many people do you serve?

5 List of Figures Figure Number Page Figure. Number of residents who participated in the commercial fishery by fiscal year 8 Figure 2. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested, Mississippi River Zone During Figure 3. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested, SunflowerRiver During February, Figure 4. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested in the Mississippi River and Sunflower River Zones During Figure 5. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested in the Delta Zone and Bear Creek Zone During Figure 6. Moon Lake Paddlefish Catch - Special Commercial Harvest Periods Dec. 200 & Feb

6 MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 20 Abstract This report documents data collected during Fiscal Year 20 (July 200 thru June 20) associated with MDWFP Project 09, Freshwater Commercial Fishery Coordination. The report is presented in 3 parts: ) Summary of the November 200- March 20 season data for the Paddlefish fishery; 2) Summary of the Moon Lake Special Rough Fish Harvest Season; 3) Documentation of the harvest for CY200 reported by respondents to the Commercial Fishery Harvest Survey. During Fiscal Year 20, 599 persons purchased inland commercial fishing licenses, permits or tags. Statistics on Commercial Fishery for Paddlefish Roe (November 200 thru March 20): Participants Eight persons had Harvester Permits ($750 each) Eight persons had Paddlefish Helper permits ($00 each) Seven persons had a Processor Permit ($,000 each) One person had a Buyer permit ($3,000) Catch -,80 Paddlefish were caught during the periods open to harvest of eggs; 2,405 Paddlefish were harvested and 9,405 were released from 2,242 net sets during 253 trips over 44 days of harvest. Over a,000 of the released Paddlefish had eggs. The egg sacs removed from the harvested Paddlefish weighed 7,36 pounds, which screened out to,86 pounds of eggs. No one in 200 or May and June 20 participated in the summer fishery. Product - 8,44 pounds of the processed eggs were sold as a product (caviar) packaged for retail sale and identified as originating from Mississippi Non-Game Gross Fish Survey: During FY20 MDWFP fisheries biologists accompanied Paddlefish harvesters as they ran their nets during the Moon Lake Special Rough Fish Harvest Season. During this event, data from released Paddlefish were obtained and 0 Paddlefish were released with jaw tags. A section of the Coldwater River was searched for possible Paddlefish spawning sites. Moon Lake Special Rough Fish Removal Season: A special rough fish harvest season on Moon Lake utilizing permitted Paddlefish harvesters removed 87,000 pounds of rough fish, most of it large Paddlefish. 6

7 STATISTICS ON THE FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY FOR CY 200 Participants (CY200): 78-47% of those that responded to the survey indicated they had a license only to get fish for personal consumption. Each fisher who harvested fish served an average of 2.6 people. Survey returns % usable return rate Harvest poundage reported by respondents to the CY200 survey: Buffalo 456,00 pounds; Channel Catfish 0,700 pounds; Blue catfish 26,300 pounds; Flathead 7,800 pounds; Common carp -38,000 pounds; Asian carp - 74,400 pounds; Freshwater Drum -7,600 pounds; Gar- 25,900 pounds; Other species harvested bowfin, shad, bullheads, carpsuckers, grass carp and minnows. MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 20 During Fiscal Year 20, 599 persons purchased inland freshwater commercial fishing licenses, permits or tags (Figure ): The MDWFP sold 568 resident inland freshwater commercial fishing licenses and 25 nonresident licenses. There were 6 persons who purchased slat box licenses or commercial tags, but did not purchase a freshwater commercial fishing license during FY20. Seventeen (7) persons purchased 24 Paddlefish permits. During FY2009, 680 persons purchased freshwater commercial fishing licenses, permits or tags, with 669 persons participating in FY200 freshwater commercial fishery. There were 02 persons who purchased slat basket licenses in FY20; 9 in FY200 and 07 in FY2009.Only three persons participated in the Paddlefish fishery in FY2009 and FY200. 7

8 The Fishery Management Plan for the Mississippi Inland Commercial Fishery has a discussion of freshwater commercial fishing license trends related to changes in license structure and license prices (MDWFP, 200). This report documents activities associated with the management of Mississippi s inland freshwater commercial fishery for non-game gross fish (commercial fish or rough fish), including Paddlefish, and non-native fishes during Fiscal Year 20 (July 200 to June 20). GOALS FOR THE PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY The MDWFP s aspirations for the Paddlefish commercial fishery are Give Mississippians the opportunity to benefit from the lucrative caviar trade, and use that as a way to enhance commercial freshwater fishing industry. Develop a Mississippi product(s) produced from a sustainable Paddlefish harvest. Reduce waste from summer mortality of Paddlefish from incidental catch in commercial gear. To conserve Paddlefish populations for sustainable harvest by future generations. Paddlefish to allow the harvest of Paddlefish within a conservation framework that protects stocks from endangerment to satisfy the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) permit requirements. 8

9 STATISTICS ON THE FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY FOR PADDLEFISH: Open Waters Five Zones: Mississippi River, open November 20, 200 through March 20; Mississippi Delta Zone, open December 200 through February 5, 20; Sunflower River Zone, open January and February 20; Bear Creek Zone, open December 200 and January 20; Moon Lake Zone open December 6-0, 200 and February 7-2, 20. Participants Eight persons had Harvester Permits ($750 each), with seven of these persons also having Processor Permits ($000 each) One person had a Buyer/Exporter Permit ($3,000 each) Eight persons had Paddlefish Helper Permits ($00) Catch - Product -,80 Paddlefish were caught during the periods open for harvest of eggs; 2,405 Paddlefish were harvested and 9,405 were released from 2,242 net sets during 253 trips over 44 days of harvest. Only 5(2%) of the harvested Paddlefish were males. Five thousand two hundred forty five (5,245 or 56%) of the released Paddlefish were less than legal size with,087(2%) of the released fish having eggs, while 4,60 (44%) released fish were legal size without eggs. The egg sacs removed from the harvested Paddlefish weighed 7,36 pounds, which yielded,86 pounds of screened eggs (caviar). The length of the harvested Paddlefish (both male & female) ranged from 34 to 5 inches eye-to-fork length (EFL). No persons, for either CY200 or CY20, have purchased tags to allow them to harvest Paddlefish during the summer harvest season. 8,44 pounds of the processed eggs (75 % of screened eggs) were sold as a product (caviar) packaged for retail sale and identified as originating from Mississippi. The flesh from 2,009 Paddlefish was processed for sale of flesh. The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks closed the state to the commercial harvest of Paddlefish in April The fishery was re-opened in December 2008 on border waters shared with Arkansas (Lucas, 2009). The fishery was opened with strict regulations that possibly make the Mississippi commercial freshwater Paddlefish fishery one of the most intensively regulated fisheries, anywhere. A synopsis of the regulations history for Paddlefish is presented in Table. 9

10 Table. History Of Regulations for the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish Prior to inch length limit on total length inch length limit (Total Length ) 988 closed season, January thru April (closed Nov. thru April on the Pascagoula River system) 994 closed season Nov. thru April; Statewide 2007 No Open Season for Paddlefish Harvest (Public Notice F4-2999) 2008 Open Season Dec to March 2009 to harvesters with special permits on border waters with Arkansas. Harvest was restricted to fish greater than 34 inches eye to fork length (EFL) to match length limit established by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. (Public Notice F3798) 2009 Harvesters have to have a special permit to harvest Paddlefish during season open to collection of eggs. On border waters with Arkansas: Open Season was Dec thru March 200, with harvest restricted to fish greater than 34 inches (EFL) to match length limit established by Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Two new zones opened for season: Tallahatchie/Coldwater River and Sunflower River; Open Season was January and February, with harvest restricted to fish greater than 37 inches (EFL). Established a summer Paddlefish fishery where during the months of May through August any commercial licensed fisher could harvest one Paddlefish per day for personal consumption, but any Paddlefish in possession must be tagged. (Public Notice F2-3798) 200 Harvesters must have a special permit to harvest Paddlefish during the season open to collection of eggs. On border waters with Arkansas: the harvest season was Nov. 20, 200 thru March 20, with harvest restricted to fish greater than 34 inches (EFL) to match length limit established by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. The Harvest Zones open in 2009, were retained, and two new zones opened for season: Bear Creek watershed and Moon Lake. In these zones, harvest was restricted to fish greater than 37 inches (EFL). The zones had the following harvest periods: Tallahatchie/Coldwater River, Dec. thru Feb. 5; Sunflower River, Jan. thru Feb.; Bear Creek, Dec. thru Jan, and Moon Lake a week each month in Dec.200 and Feb. 20 beginning the first Sunday of these months. The definition of processing location was changed that allowed Processors to remove eggs after landing. The summer Paddlefish fishery was modified to allow any freshwater commercial licensed fisher to harvest five Paddlefish per day for personal consumption or sale, but any Paddlefish in their possession must be tagged. (Public Notice F3a-3798) 0

11 The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks modified the Paddlefish regulations in September 200 to: a) Add additional waters for the harvest of Paddlefish for eggs, b) Change the opening dates on Delta and MS River zones, c) Allow the removal of egg sacs after landing, d) Change the summer fishery to allow the daily take, and sale, of 5 Paddlefish. The regulations for the Paddlefish fishery are found in Public Notice F3a-3798 (Appendix A). A summary of the key elements of Public Notice F3a-3798 are: Harvesters must have a special permit to harvest Paddlefish. Cost of a Paddlefish Harvester Permit was $750. The number of Paddlefish Harvester Permits available for sale was limited to 25. Harvesters and Processors must attend a mandatory meeting on the Paddlefish season. Harvested Paddlefish must be at least 37 EFL. Harvested Paddlefish must be tagged. Eggs must remain within the fish until the fish reach the processing facility of a permitted buyer. A person could buy Paddlefish or Paddlefish eggs if they possessed either a Paddlefish Processor Permit, at cost of $,000, or a Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter Permit, at cost of $3,000. But the processing facility did not have to have permanent address so the initial processing (removal of eggs to place them on ice) could begin once the boat reached the shore. The tongue could be cut after harvest to bleed the fish to improve egg quality. Harvesters were required to report the harvest of Paddlefish on a Paddlefish Sale Transaction Form that the permitted buyers were required to submit to the MDWFP within 24 hours of any exchange of Paddlefish. Mississippi River Zone (border waters with Arkansas as established in Public Notice 3672) o Season: November 20, 200 thru March 3, 20 o Harvested Paddlefish must be at least 34 eye-fork length. To have consistent regulations in border waters, Mississippi harvesters would abide by the lesser length between the two states, which was 34 inches per Arkansas regulations. Delta Zone (waters of the Tallahatchie and Cold Water Rivers north of State Route 32, which includes a portion of Tallahatchie County and all of Quitman and Tunica Counties). o Season: December, 200 thru February 5, 20 o Harvested Paddlefish must be at least 37 EFL Sunflower River Zone (waters of the Sunflower River north of State Route 6, which includes a portion of Sharkey County, and the Sunflower River where it is the border between Sunflower and Washington Counties). o Season: January thru February 20 o Harvested Paddlefish must be at least 37 EFL Bear Creek Zone (waters of Bear Creek from the Wasp Lake Structure upstream

12 to Macon Lake Road in Humphreys, Sunflower, and Leflore Counties. The zone included Three Mile lake, Four Mile Lake, Lower Six Mile Lake and Wasp Lake) o Season: December 200 thru January 20 o Harvested Paddlefish must be at least 37 EFL Moon Lake Zone (waters of Moon Lake in Coahoma County) o Season: December 6 thru 0, 200 and February 7 thru 2, 20 o Harvested Paddlefish must be at least 37 EFL o All fish must be landed between hrs o Fishers must set 200 yards of four inch webbing gill net Public Notice F3a 3798 established a summer fishery for Paddlefish during months of May thru August where any person with a valid commercial fishing license could harvest five Paddlefish per day. To possess a Paddlefish during the summer fishery it had to be tagged. During the summer of 200 the fishery was regulated by PN F which allowed only one Paddlefish per day for personal consumption. No one participated in the 200 summer fishery. The waters open to summer harvest in 200 were any waters of the state open to commercial fishing, except for the Tennessee River, Tombigbee River and Pascagoula River drainages. Rationale for the Paddlefish Harvest Zones- Mississippi River Zone. This zone is the border waters with Arkansas. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opened Arkansas waters along the Mississippi River to Paddlefish harvest in The MDWFP opened the border waters to Paddlefish harvest in 2008 to give Mississippi residents the opportunity to participate in a fishery already taking place on these waters. Mississippi experienced Paddlefish harvest from 2002 to 2006 during a period from mid September thru October, about 45 days each year. Most of the Paddlefish harvesters during were nonresident licensed fishers. When Paddlefish harvest was closed statewide in 2007, the sale of nonresident commercial licenses dropped by 22 licenses sold. Fish surveys by the MDWFP indicated that Paddlefish populations had been impacted by the harvest during , but that viable Paddlefish populations existed in waters thought to be targeted for egg harvest (Lucas, 2009). The MDWFP decided that a conservative beginning point in allowing harvest of Paddlefish would be to limit harvest to 25 persons for a 60 day season, along with the imposition of a 37 inch (EFL) harvest restriction and have refuge areas that were closed to Paddlefish harvest. Delta Zone (Tallahatchie and Coldwater Rivers) Surveys by the MDWFP found harvestable size Paddlefish in waters of the open zone. Waters in the Tallahatchie River drainage south of the open zone had Paddlefish, but none were found to be greater than 37 EFL. The harvest in this zone in was very low so, the fishery for was extended to 75 days. 2

13 Sunflower River Zone - This zone had 2 refuge areas. The first refuge was the Sunflower River and lakes in Issaquena and Sharkey Counties south of Route 6.The second refuge was the upper end of the Sunflower Lock and Dam pool in Sunflower County. Bear Creek Zone - The MDWFP found this system to have Paddlefish greater than 37 inches. Moon Lake Zone - See the discussion in the Moon Lake Section of his report. Summer Harvest Zone Commercial fishermen had complained that many Paddlefish caught in nets in the summer do not survive (Lucas, 2009). To address this, fishers were given an opportunity to harvest these fish, with a mechanism (tagging and reporting requirements) to document this mortality for biologists to obtain data to make management decisions on whether to open the fishery for summer meat harvest. During the summer of 200, harvested Paddlefish could only be used for personal consumption. The Summer Harvest Zone was state-wide (on waters open to commercial fishing) as all state waters would have water temperatures not suitable for good survival of Paddlefish caught in over-night gill net sets. No one participated in the 200 summer Paddlefish fishery. Once the regulations established by Public Notice F3a-3798 were adopted, Fisheries Bureau staff took actions to inform the public, commercial licensed persons, and Conservation Officers of these regulations. The MDWFP commercial fishing web page had links to a highlights summary of the Paddlefish regulations, and a link to a copy of the Public Notice. Persons with freshwater commercial fishing licenses and who also had an address (75) were sent an e- mail notifying them of the Paddlefish fishery. Conservation Officers were notified of the regulations by a guide made for their use, which was distributed to those Conservation Officers who would possibly have a direct involvement in the enforcement of Paddlefish regulations. Persons seeking to obtain Paddlefish permits had to apply for permits through the Point of Sale (POS) license system. The applications were available October to October 25, 200 at any license agent; and the cost for the application was $5.00 plus applicable transaction fees. Those applying for permits were screened by the MDWFP to ascertain if they had any previous convictions of any state or federal fish and wildlife laws within the last three years. Such violations would preclude them from being qualified to purchase a Paddlefish permit. Persons seeking to obtain Paddlefish permits were required to attend a mandatory meeting which was held November 0, 200 at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery. At that meeting, Paddlefish harvesters and egg buyers were able to meet. An instruction manual titled Guide to the 3

14 Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish for the Season (Appendix B) on filling out the forms was distributed to those attending the meeting. The instruction manual also discussed the rules and regulations concerning fishing for and harvesting Paddlefish and listed landmarks that denoted the boundaries of the harvest zones. The regulations were explained to the 2 attendees along with how to fill out the Paddlefish Sale Transaction Form to document harvest of Paddlefish. There was a significant increase in participation and harvest for the Paddlefish fishery in versus the past two seasons. Paddlefish Harvesters increased from two to eight. There were 8 Paddlefish Helpers compared to none in previous years. Seven of the Paddlefish Harvesters purchased Paddlefish Processor permits to allow them to remove eggs upon landing. One person purchased a Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter Permit. In FY20 an expanded Paddlefish processing industry was created in Mississippi because one processor hired 2 persons as seasonal employees to process eggs and process and package flesh. In prior years, Mississippi Paddlefish eggs were processed out-of-state. Paddlefish catch, harvest and egg statistics from are provided in Table 2. Paddlefish catch rates from are listed in Table 3. Although there was an increase in the number of Paddlefish harvested from the Mississippi River Zone, the vast majority of the harvest came from the Sunflower River and Moon Lake Zones. A comparison of the Paddlefish harvest between the harvest zones is presented in Table 4. The quantity of retail Paddlefish caviar and the estimated retail value of that caviar are provided in Table 5. The length frequency of harvested Paddlefish is presented in Figures 2 through 5 4

15 Table 2. Paddlefish Catch, Harvest and Egg Data n/a = During season, the first screened weight was recorded, not raw egg sac weight Table 3. Paddlefish CPUE (catch per net set) of Paddlefish Harvester Permit holders Catch Rate for ALL Paddlefish Catch rate for legal size Paddlefish* Catch rate for undersize Paddlefish Catch rate for harvested Paddlefish * Includes both harvested & released fish 5

16 Table 4. Paddlefish Catch, Harvest and Egg Data for by Harvest Zones Table 5. Paddlefish Caviar Retail Products and Retail Value Produced by Paddlefish Processors in

17 Number Harvested Number Harvested Figure 2. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested Mississippi River Zone River Lakes EFL in inches Figure 3. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested Sunflower River Zone, EFL in Inches 7

18 Figure 4. Length Frequency of Paddlefish Harvested in the Mississippi River and Sunflower River Zones During p r c e n t o f T o t a l H a r v e s t EFL Length in Inches (/2"increments) MS R Sunflower R 8

19 The following comments on Paddlefish regulations were received from three persons responding to the Commercial Fishing Harvest Survey, discussed later in this report:. Allow take of Paddlefish without permits or tagging 2. Open Paddlefish season in Wilkinson County (Lake Mary) Paddlefish caught in over-night sets of gill nets during periods when water is above 5 o C have a low rate of survival (Bettoli and Scholten, 2006). Therefore, there is waste associated with efforts to conserve the harvest of Paddlefish by mandating that there be no harvest during summer months. The survey of the freshwater commercial fishery harvest for 200 estimated that between,700 to 4,00 Paddlefish were caught and released by freshwater commercial fishers; probably with a sizeable portion of these being released dead especially if they were caught during the summer months. The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks in adopting Public Notice F began to address this issue by allowing residents with freshwater commercial fishing licenses and Paddlefish tags to keep one Paddlefish per day for personal consumption during the months of May to August. The kept Paddlefish had to be tagged, so fishers first had to purchase tags to allow them to possess Paddlefish. A reporting form for fishers to record their catch accompanied the sale of the summer Paddlefish tags. The reporting of summer Paddlefish harvest could provide MDWFP biologists with data regarding the impact that summer fishing has on Paddlefish stocks. This is needed to evaluate the summer fishery and determine if a more expanded summer meat fishery could be allowed.. During 200 no summer Paddlefish tags were sold for the summer harvest of Paddlefish. After discussions with commercial fishers Public Notice F3a-3798 made changes to promote participation in the summer fishery. Commercial fishers who pre-purchased tags were allowed to keep 5 Paddlefish per day and those Paddlefish could be sold. See Appendix C for a copy of the information sheet on the summer Paddlefish fishery, a Paddlefish harvest report form, and a Transaction Form. During 20 no one chose to participate in the summer Paddlefish fishery. So no one took advantage of this new harvest opportunity despite several comments from freshwater commercial fisherman over the last several years who wanted to retain these dead Paddlefish. MOON LAKE SPECIAL NONGAME GROSS FISH HARVEST SEASON Moon Lake is a 2,300 acre oxbow lake located in Coahoma County. The MDWFP fish population surveys in 2009 and 200 found electrofishing catch rates of buffalo and rough fish well above average for Delta lakes, but game fish catch rates were below average. Moon Lake has a history of being closed to commercial fishing since about 950, with the lake open to periodic, regulated, short periods of commercial fishing. The lake was last opened to commercial fishing in 986 (MDWFP, 20, Moon Lake FMP). To evaluate the use of commercial fishing as 9

20 a tool in the management of the fish stocks, especially in an effort to increase game fish stocks, the lake was opened to nongame gross fish or commercial fish harvest for two one week periods, from December 6-0, 200 and from February 7-, 20 (PN F3a_3798). Nets could be set the Sunday preceding these dates. Only persons with Paddlefish Harvester Permits were permitted to participate in the special fishery and all fish had to be landed at Moon Lake Park (Paradise Point) Public Boat Ramp between 8am-4pm to be witnessed by MDWFP personnel. Although fishers were targeting Paddlefish, to be able to participate in this special Moon Lake harvest season, each fisher was required to set at least 200 yards of four inch mesh gill netting and had to harvest all carp and legal size buffalo that were caught. A severe weather event (snow) occurred February 9 that made it necessary to close the fishery for February0 by emergency order from the MDWFP Executive Director. Fishing was resumed on the February and extended to February 2. During the two harvest periods an estimated 87,245 pounds of non-game gross fish were harvested or removed from the lake; this equates to almost 38 pounds per acre. Paddlefish dominated the removal; consisting of over 90% of the harvest by weight. December 200 Moon Lake Harvest Eight harvesters in six boats participated in the December 200 week of special nongame gross fish harvest season on Moon Lake. The harvesters set an average of 32 gill nets each day with an average of 4,00 yards of netting. The harvest was dominated by Paddlefish of which 468 were harvested, with majority being females with eggs. Harvesters released an additional 954 Paddlefish that were either too short for harvest or did not have eggs, but this number includes multiple recaptures. The harvested Paddlefish were large. Estimated harvest was about 30,950 pounds of Paddlefish that produced 2,363.5 pounds of caviar from 4,648 pounds of egg-sacs. The female Paddlefish had an average egg sac weight of 7.6 pounds that produced an average of 7.0 pounds of caviar. There were 2,852 pounds (.25 pounds/acre) of other nongame gross fish harvested, dominated by bigmouth buffalo and blue and flathead catfish: See Table 6 for a list of species harvested and released during December 200 season at Moon Lake. The fishers were not prepared to handle and process the very high catch rates of large Paddlefish they encountered. They did not have the facilities to process and store all the Paddlefish flesh they caught and did not have room in their boats to get all the fish landed, so they selected to harvest female Paddlefish with eggs, releasing most Paddlefish without eggs. Many Paddlefish-- maybe as high as 30% per day --were caught multiple times, in the five and six inch mesh gill nets they used. Many fish were released in poor shape after long periods where the gill operculum was constricted by the webbing. There was post release mortality as 4 Paddlefish 20

21 carcasses floated up several weeks after the first week of fishing closed, with the vast majority (about 80%) of these fish being legal size fish. These carcasses totaled an additional 9,000 pounds of nongame gross fish removed from the lake. Table 6. Nongame Gross Fish Harvest at Moon Lake in December 200. SPECIES NUMBER HARVESTED NUMBER RELEASED AVERAGE WEIGHT POUNDAGE HARVESTED (pounds) Buffalo Bigmouth , Smallmouth Black Catfish Channel 3 Blue Flathead Carp Common Bighead Silver Gar Spotted Shortnose Longnose Alligator 0 0 Drum 0 0 Total , Paddlefish * , Post harvest mortality 4 9, *represents multiple recaptures 2

22 February 20 Moon Lake Harvest Eight harvesters in seven boats participated in the February 20 week long opening of the special nongame gross fish harvest season on Moon Lake. The harvesters set an average of 32 gill nets each day with an average of 4,7 yards of netting per day. The harvest was again dominated by Paddlefish of which 609 were harvested. Although the majority of the harvested Paddlefish were females with eggs, the fishers had the facilities to handle more flesh so more males (335 in Feb. 20 versus 2 in Dec.200) were harvested in the February 20 season. Harvesters released an additional 479 Paddlefish captured with 37% of those being too short for legal harvest. The harvested Paddlefish were large with an average weight of 66.3 pounds. Estimated Paddlefish harvest was about 40,270 pounds that produced 3,365 pounds of caviar from 5,320 pounds of egg-sacs. The female Paddlefish had an average egg sac weight of 4.4 pounds that produced an average of 9.25 pounds of caviar. The increase in caviar weight per fish for the February 20 period may have been due to less stress on the females, quicker processing time, less egg fat that led to better screening, and better proficiency by the processors in egg screening. The 4,50 pounds (.83 pounds/acre) of other nongame gross fish harvested, was dominated by bigmouth buffalo, but carp, gar, and blue and flathead catfish were also prominent. The gar and catfish were of a larger size than the size harvested in the December 200 season. See Table 7 for information on the Moon Lake February 20 harvest. The Paddlefish catch during the December 200 and February 20 harvest seasons at Moon Lake is shown in Figure 6. 22

23 Table 7. Nongame Gross Fish Harvest at Moon Lake in February 20. SPECIES NUMBER HARVESTED NUMBER RELEASED AVERAGE WEIGHT POUNDAGE HARVESTED Buffalo Bigmouth ,.20 Smallmouth Black Catfish Channel 2 Blue Flathead Carp Common Bighead Silver Grass 20.0 Gar Spotted Shortnose Longnose Alligator 0 0 Drum Mooneye.50 Total ,7.00 Paddlefish * , *represents multiple recaptures 23

24 Figure 6. Moon Lake Paddlefish Catch - Special Commercial Harvest Periods Dec. 200 & Feb. 20 MOON LAKE PADDLEFISH FISHERY MONITORING AND STOCK ASSESSMENT Biologists and Conservation Officers were present to witness the landing of harvested fish and collect data. Biologists collected Paddlefish jaws for aging and weight data on some landed fish. During the first season, few harvested Paddlefish were weighed as biologists did not have a scale with the capacity to weigh large fish. A 300 pound platform scale was available during the February 20 season to get more weight data. Over 400 rostrums were scanned for presence of coded wire tags (CWT) that had been implanted in seven Paddlefish in Moon Lake in Other biologists were in boats observing harvest as it occurred and collected data on Paddlefish the harvesters had to (sublegal size), or wished to release. On these fish, biologists recorded length (to nearest /6 ), noted if eggs were present or absents, and the fish were scanned for CWT. During the December 200 harvest period the Paddlefish were then jaw tagged with size 6 Monel bird bands and released. Each tag (band) was serially numbered and was stamped with the MDWFP contact information, if the fish was dead at capture, sex was determined; jaws were collected, and the fish was weighted if small enough for the scale capacity. During the December 200 harvest season 66 Paddlefish jaw bones were collected and 0 Paddlefish were tagged. During February 20 harvest season, 96 jaw bones were collected in conjunction with 24

25 assistance from personnel of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). ERDC personnel assisted with the biological assessment of Moon Lake Paddlefish through funding of the Mississippi Valley Division, US Army Corps of Engineers. ERDC personnel present during the February 20 harvest season collected morphological data on Paddlefish and the jaw bones were retained by ERDC for aging Paddlefish. No CWT were detected in any fish scanned for these tags. The Paddlefish tagged in December 200 harvest season were used to estimate Paddlefish population size in February20 harvest season. The two month time span should have been enough time for the tagged Paddlefish to distribute themselves throughout the fish population of Moon Lake. The tags were easy to detect but hard to read. No Paddlefish were tagged during the February 20 harvest period because it was felt that the difficulty in reading tag numbers and the logistics in coordinating tag detection with the harvesters made it impractical to separate December 200 tagged fish from any recently tagged fish to meet the population estimation protocol that tagged fish need time to distribute throughout the fish population. Data on recaptures of marked Paddlefish at Moon Lake fish were used to make population estimates based on the following formula (USFWS, 2009): MOON LAKE PADDLEFISH POPULATION ESTIMATE Fish caught and tagged in the marking event (M) x Total fish recaptured (C) Total recaptured fish that were also tagged (R) Five separate estimates of the Moon Lake Paddlefish population were made for each day of harvest during the February 20 harvest season using the catch data from that day (Table 8). Of the 4 Paddlefish carcasses collected from the December 200 post-season harvest mortality, were checked for jaw tags. Five had tags, and 5 were questionable for tags because of decomposition of the jaws and were assumed not to have tags. So, 06 of the post season Paddlefish carcasses checked did not have tags. The ratio of tagged carcasses to those checked for tags (5 out of ) expanded to 4 would be 6 tagged carcasses. Barr and McDonough (976) found that72% of the fish was recovered in late season population surveys where rotenone was used to kill fish in a specific area. This percentage was used to estimate the actual number of post season carcasses to include the number of Paddlefish that may have sank and were not counted by visual observation. If 4 fish is 72% of the total mortality, then 95 fish represents the total post harvest mortality. This adjustment (5 out of equals 8 out of 95) accounted for another three Paddlefish tags to give an estimate of 9 tagged Paddlefish that died post harvest. Therefore 92 tagged Paddlefish (0 tagged 9 mortality) were presumed present in the lake at the beginning of the February 20 season for a population estimate. 25

26 Table 8. Five estimates of Paddlefish population size for Moon Lake ranged from,09 to 2,056 fish, with an average value of,625 fish. Recaptured Fish that were Tagged Population estimate for date Date Total Catch (C ) Harvest Tagged Fish Harvest Available Tagged (M) (R ) 2/ / / / / Total Avg. =625 The exploitation rate for the harvest of 6,098 Paddlefish from an average population estimate of,625 fish was 37%; from 60 gill net (average of 32 nets per day for 5 days) in 5 days of fishing in February 20. Twenty four of the 92 tagged fish (26%) remaining in the population after the Dec. 200 season were harvested in Feb. 20. Of the 0 Paddlefish that were tagged in Dec. 200, 33 (33%) were either harvested or died from being caught. Total Paddlefish harvest from Moon Lake in 0 days of fishing with 35 gill nets was,077 fish weighing and estimated 7,220 pounds. Table 9 provides a comparison of various catch and harvest statistics from the Moon Lake Harvest seasons. 26

27 Table 9. Paddlefish Catch and Harvest Data from Moon Lake. Parameter December 200 February 20 Total Number Harvested Number Released Weight Harvested (lbs.) 30,650 40,270 7,220 Post Dec. 200 mortality 4 fish (9,000 lbs) 274 fish;* 80,220 lbs.* Egg Sac weight (lbs.) 4,648 5,320 9,968 Caviar weight (lbs.) 2,363 3,365 5,728 % yield of egg sac wt. 50.8% 63.2% 57.4% Dockside value of caviar (@ $60.00 per pound) $4, $20, $343, Retail Value of caviar (@$ per pound)** $675, $96, $,637, *represents the total harvest and harvested weight including post season fish that were recovered ** based on internet search of Paddlefish caviar prices. FY20 was the third year of the regulated Paddlefish fishery that allowed the take of eggs. Participation this last year was substantially higher than the first two years, but yet is only about a third of the effort that was believed to be seeking Paddlefish prior to the 2007 closure of the fishery. Paddlefish harvesters can have a substantial impact on Paddlefish abundance. The estimated Paddlefish exploitation rate was 37% in 5 days of fishing in February 20 at Moon Lake. On the Sunflower River the presence of Paddlefish larger than 42 EFL showed a decrease in the season compared with that from the seasons. But there were days on the Sunflower River where 00 or more legal size Paddlefish were released and more fish were released with eggs (985) than were harvested with eggs (908). The MDWFP needs to maintain a tightly regulated fishery that currently appears to be successful in conserving the Paddlefish stocks. FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY HARVEST SURVEY During the 2008 Mississippi Legislative Session, Statute was amended to require that persons with freshwater commercial fishing licenses report their harvest of nongame gross fish. A harvest survey was sent to each of the 78 persons who purchased a commercial freshwater fishing license during FY200 and for the months of July through October for FY20. These 78 persons had a license to fish some portion of calendar year 200. Each license holder was 27

28 mailed a packet that contained a notice letter, a commercial fishing survey form, a harvest report form and an addressed envelope to return the forms (Appendix D). The notice letter stated the requirement to report harvest, notified recipients of the upcoming effort to modify commercial freshwater fishing regulations (PN 2999) and provided information on how to participate in the Paddlefish fishery. The survey form had questions that elicited why a person purchased a freshwater commercial fishing license and asked for recommendations to changes in regulations or things to improve fishing or fish stocks. The harvest form asked questions on what gears were used and the how many fish were harvested. The gear use included questions on number of days; number of gear units used, and preferred fishing location. Copies of the items mailed to them are found in Appendix D. The surveys were mailed in January and February 20. The deadline for return of these surveys was February 2, 20. Two hundred sixty seven (267) surveys were returned, of which 7 were returned undeliverable and one returned marked as deceased. So, 249 completed surveys (32.6%) were returned with information from 763 delivered surveys. Table 0 shows the harvest poundage of nongame gross fish reported by respondents to the CY2008, CY2009 and CY200 surveys. STATISTICS ON THE SURVEY OF THE FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY FOR CY200 Participants (during CY200): % indicated they had a license only to get fish for personal consumption. Each fisher who harvested fish served an average of 2.6 people. Survey returns % return rate (249/763) 28

29 Table0. Harvest poundage of nongame gross fish reported by respondents to freshwater commercial fishing surveys for CY2008, CY2009 and CY200. Fish CY200 CY2009 CY2008 Buffalo 69, 800 fish (456,00 lbs) 460,00 lbs 500,000 lbs. Channel Catfish 4,800 fish (0,700 lbs) 9,00 lbs. 70,000+ Blue catfish 32,700 fish (26,300 lbs) 42,500 lbs Flathead 2,050 Fish (7,800 lbs) 93,00 lbs 50,000 Catfish Common Carp 4,400 Fish (38,000 lbs) 63,200 lbs 70,000 Big head Carp 4,070 fish (08,500 lbs) 65,700 lbs 60,000+ Silver Carp 9,060 Fish (65,900 lbs),400 lbs Freshwater Drum 4,900 Fish (7,600 lbs) 9,300 lbs,000 Gar 2,300 (25,900 lbs) (40 alligator gar reported) 29 6,800 lbs (77 alligator gar reported) 4,000 (26 alligator gar reported) Paddlefish,659 fish (caught & released),445 fish Not asked Other species (Number harvested) Number harvesters reporting catch Bowfin (32), carpsuckers (07), bullheads (,806), shad, skipjack (2) grass carp (250) and minnows 249 (Response rate 33%) Eel (67), bowfin (20), carpsuckers (242), bullheads (,364), shad, turtles and minnows 265 (Response rate 40%) eel, bowfin, shad, and minnows 230 (Response rate 33%) Commercial fishers are required by law and regulation to report harvest on forms supplied by the MDWFP. Lucas (20a) postulated that the low response rate may be explained by the high turnover in the fishery with those who were not planning on renewing their licenses not responding to the survey request. This dynamic nature of the fishery could also explain, in part, the high number of persons (28%) who said they did not harvest any fish in the past year. Table shows the participation in the 200 commercial fishery by long term participants and those who have only been in the fishery a short time. As was done for 2009 the harvest estimate was stratified by long-term and short-term participants. Expansion factors were computed for long-term (257 divided by 28 = 2.0) and short term participants (46+63 divided by 2 = 4.33) by dividing the number of license holders by years of participation by number of respondents to survey also by years of participation in fishery. Like in 2009, fishers who had fished for multiple years had a higher ratio of response to the survey. But, the stratification did

30 not break out as neatly as it did in It was noticed that several respondents who had licenses in FY20, also had licenses in FY2009, but did not have licenses in FY200. These persons were placed in the short-term category, but they may have a long-term commitment to commercial fishing. Table. Grouping of Survey Respondents by Participation in the Fishery for 200. Years they had License Number of Licensee Number of Respondents to Survey Classification Multiple years FY 2008 Long term and/or, FY 2009, with (expansion factor 2.0) FY 200 FY 200 only 46 New for FY20 85 (only 63 surveyed) 2 Short term (expansion factor 4.33) Table 2 provides the estimated total harvest by commercial fishing for CY0. Estimated harvest figures are reported on a direct expansion basis using reported harvest by the 33% of respondents who returned the survey. Expanded harvest was also stratified by years of participation in the commercial fishery. Table 3 compares the total harvest from commercial fishing for CY2008, CY 2009 and CY200 using direct expansion of reported harvest. Over 3. million pounds of nongame gross fish were harvested in CY200 which represents a 29% and a 3% increase over the CY2009 and CY2008 harvest figures, respectively. Harvested poundage increased in CY200 from the CY2009 amounts for Buffalo, Channel Catfish Blue Catfish, Asian Carp, Freshwater Drum and Gar. The harvest of Gar, Freshwater Drum and Asian Carp has increased each year while the harvest of Common Carp has decreased each year. The harvest of Asian Carp has dramatically increased by 237% in three years from 240,000 pounds (CY2008) to 568,700 pounds (CY200). 30

31 Species Table 2. Estimated Total Harvest by Commercial Fishing for CY200 Direct Expansion of reported harvest by respondents to survey (33% of License holders responded to survey) Buffalo,429,700 pounds 582,900 pounds Channel 3,200 fish 6,600 fish Catfish (38,900 pounds) (34,900 pounds) Expansion of harvest by participants stratified by years of participation Long term Short term Sum (pounds) 79,00,302,000 pounds 48,460 fish (49,800 pounds) 284,700 Blue Catfish 02,400 fish (396,000 pounds) 55,200 fish (205,600 pounds) 22,590 fish (04,00 pounds) 309,700 Flathead Catfish 37,800 (225,00 pounds) 6,500 (96,200 pounds) 6,700 fish (03,800 pounds) 99,900 Common Carp 9,200 pounds 5,300 pounds 54,00 pounds 05,400 Asian Carp 568,700 pounds 293,600 pounds 53,200 pounds 446,800 Freshwater 55,400 pounds 29,500 pounds 2,900 pounds 42,400 Drum Gar 7,300 pounds 25,00 pounds 57,800 pounds 82,900 Table 3. Comparison of Total Harvest (poundage) by Commercial Fishing for Species CY200 CY2009 CY2008 Direct Expansion of reported harvest (33% of License holders responded to survey) Direct Expansion of reported harvest (40% of License holders responded to survey) Direct Expansion of reported harvest (33% of License holders responded to survey) Buffalo,429,700,79,800,500,000 Channel and Blue Catfish 74,900 65, ,000 Flathead Catfish 225,00 238,800 53,000. Common Carp 9,200 62,00 20,000 Asian Carp 568,700 79, ,000 Freshwater Drum 55,400 49,600 33,000 Gar 7,300 43,000 42, 000 Total 3,84,300 2,468,300 2,84,000 Gear effort (Table 4) in 200 was very similar to that in 2008 and 2009, except that the percentage of fishers fishing trotlines dropped from 3% in 2008 to 3% in 2009 and rose back to 25% in 200. Also, slat box effort, as average days fished, has been variable over the past three years; 76 days in 2008, 30 days in 2009 and 43 days in

32 Table 4. Fishing gear effort by respondents to the commercial fishing survey for CY200 (249 respondents 33% of license holders) Avg. # days Gear Number of persons who fished gear (% ) fished in a yr. by persons who fished that gear (range) Avg. # gear fished per day by persons who fished that gear (range) Gill net (range) 52 (2%) 76 (-365) 4.4 nets (-8) Hoop nets 92 (37%) 56 (-360) 6.5 nets (-25) Slat Boxes 27(%) 43 (2-300) 2.4 boxes (-8) Trotlines 63 (25%) 75 (-250) 4.2 lines (-5) No fish harvested 70 (28%) Other gears reported fished rod & reel, jugs and drop lines. Table 5 provides data on why individuals purchased a freshwater commercial fishing license. State laws and regulations require a freshwater commercial fishing license to engage in several harvest and sale activities involving nongame gross fish. 32

33 Table 5. Response to Survey Questions on Why a Person Purchased a Freshwater Commercial Fishing License to Fish During CY200. There were 249 respondents to the 200 survey and respondents could list yes to multiple questions. QUESTION NUMBER RESPONDENTS Persons who did not respond to questions 34 (4%).I run commercial gear to harvest fish for personal or family use Number who answered only Question # Total Number who answered Question # 2. In past year I sold nongame gross fish (includes those that listed responses to Questions 3,4,&5) 3. I have a license as a helper to assist another licensed person 20 (48%) 72 (69%) 03 (4%) 25 (0%) 4. I own or manage a fish market or fish house 3 (5%) 5. I peddle, trade or barter fish to customers on a local route or circuit. 30 (2%) 6. I am a wholesale minnow dealer. 3 (%) 7. I sell minnows caught from public waters I have a permit to raise nongame wildlife for sale. 2 (%) 9. I have a permit to harvest common snapping turtles 4 (.6%) Similar data on reasons people purchased freshwater commercial fishing licenses were collected during the sale of license sold during FY2003 to FY2007 (Table 6). During those years persons purchasing commercial fishing license were asked a series of questions to determine why they purchased this license. The questions were a facet of the POS system for license sales and were asked at the time the person purchased their license. See Lucas (2009) for a discussion of these data. Table 6. Comparison of POS collected data for FY2003-FY2007 with CY2008 -CY200 survey data. Percentage response to question Question CY 200 CY 2009 CY 2008 FY 2007 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2003 I catch fish for personal use& I do not sell catch I buy and/or sell fish for fish markets or fish houses I am a wholesale minnow dealer I sell minnows caught from public waters I raise nongame wildlife for sale

34 Table 7. Responses to Comments or suggestions concerning ways to improve activities associated with a commercial fishing license as part of the Commercial Harvest Survey Form (N=2). Table 7. Respondents comments on regulation changes CY 200 CY2009 Gear Changes Hoop nets change mesh to allow -2 Allow Gill net mesh size 3 ½ statewide or 3. Reduce cost to fish slat boxes Slat boxes lower opening to /4 or Change restrictive gear seasons in Pascagoula Open additional waters to commercial fishing gear; Establish a recreational slat box license Allow the use of crawfish traps Set Hoop net season as Jan May & Oct - Dec Allow Commercial trotlines, or lead for gill net to be set all the way across a stream Need for tags to expire on June 30 Allow gar nets with mesh of No.9 or larger twine Allow Commercial fishers to have pole in boat More enforcement Stop people from stealing gear or running others gear Need more Conservation Officers Stop illegal fishing, in the Pearl River Approve of not requiring helper to have Commercial fishing license. 4 6 Regulations OK Match regulations of border state on border waters; remove tag requirement on Louisiana border Allow driving of fish Allow harvest of turtles Allow non-resident to fish border waters Do not allow dumping of offal Need less regulations Conservation Officers think commercial fishermen are all outlaws Need better communication on commercial fishing regulations Change length limit or season Remove the catfish over 34 rule Change creel on catfish over 34 rule to 2 over 34 Change restrictive gear seasons in Pascagoula R. Set Hoop net season as Jan May & Oct Dec Turtle Alligator Snapper creel limit of 2 Change Flathead Catfish minimum length to 20 Change Buffalo minimum length to 8 Fines Reduce fines and penalties 0 2 Hand Grabbling Either stop it or require commercial fishing

35 Table 8. Respondents comments on Fishery Enhancement Items Access Fish Enhancement Stocking Asian Carp River Management Dams Pollution Licenses Fishery Enhancement Clean off boat ramps, e.g Big Black More boat ramps in Wilkerson Co., Grand Gulf (Hi water), Lost Quarters, Fosters lake, Chickasawhay & Leaf Rivers Open, or allow access to, bayous and lakes to public fishing Reduce stock of big catfish so little catfish can grow Buffalo & Drum need reduction - Pearl River Harvest alligators Pearl River Find a way to use or market buffalo that are caught Stock white catfish in Enid Res., stock Flathead Catfish in the Tenn-Tom Waterway Stock grass carp in Pickwick Lake to control weeds Get rid of Asian Carp Develop markets for Asian Carp Stock grass carp in Pickwick Lake to control weeds Stop U.S. Army Engineers from building Rock Dikes Regulate releases of Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredge out Rivers to improve navigation Fix spillway at Lake Mary Need structure in Old River on Yazoo River Reduce pollution Reduce trash, and hot water heaters, etc., or require boaters to have litter bags in boats Need more places to get licenses / easier to get license Need better quality of paper to print license on Establish recreational commercial.license. / Establish a noncommercial net license for a person to fish up to 5 nets to catch fish for personal consumption Promote commercial fishery Need information on how to fish CY200 CY

36 Survey participants were also asked how many people you serve?. The responses from the 74 fishers who commented on this question are presented in Table 9. Table 9-. How many people do you serve? Number people Survey Sum of people Respondents FAMILIES (mine & related families) CHURCH SOCIALS CHURCH SOUP KITCHEN 30 Sum of respondents and 74,626 Number people served The average family size for Mississippi based on 2000 census is 3.4 persons. 2 The number of people served at church socials was set at 25 The average number of people served by commercial licensed fishers that harvested fish was 2 per fisher (,626/74). 36

37 LITERATURE CITED Barr, William and Thomas McDonough Recovery of marked Fish in Cove Rotenone Samples. Pages in Proceedings of the 30 th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Bettoli, P.W. and G.D. Scholten Bycatch rates and initial mortality of Paddlefish in a commercial gillnet fishery. Fisheries Research 77: Lucas, Garry Mississippi Freshwater Commercial Fishery and Paddlefish Commercial Fishery During Fiscal Year Freshwater Fishery Report No. 259 (MS 43). MDWFP, Jackson, MS Lucas, Garry Mississippi Freshwater Commercial Fishery and Paddlefish Commercial Fishery During for Fiscal Year 200. Freshwater Fishery Report No. 269 (MS 424). MDWFP, Jackson, MS MS Dept. Health, 20. Mississippi Demographic Profile, Accessed July MDWFP, 20. Inland Commercial Fishing Management Plan, April 200. MDWFP, Jackson MS US Fish & Wildlife Service Cyber Salmon: Estimating Fish Populations. Accessed 24 February Laurel Devaney, Fairbanks Fish & Wildlife Field Office, 0 2th Ave., Room 0 Fairbanks, AK

38 APPENDICES 38

39 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 39

40 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 40

41 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 4

42 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 42

43 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 43

44 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 44

45 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 45

46 Appendix A Public Notice F3a-3798; Paddlefish Harvest Season 46

47 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season //2 MDWFP Fisheries Bureau GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL HARVEST OF PADDLEFISH IN MISSISSIPPI For the Season WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING FORMS Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries & Parks 47

48 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season The purpose of this document is a guide to persons, with paddlefish permits in the harvesting, possessing, selling, buying and distribution of paddlefish and paddlefish parts. Please note that this manual is a guide: The official regulations concerning paddlefish harvest can be found in Public Notice F3a TABLE OF CONTENTS Paddlefish Harvest Regulations... 3 Sale Transaction Form... 4 Disposition... 6 How to Check for Eggs... 7 List of Waters in MS River Zone open to Harvest List of Destinations for Paddlefish Eggs and Flesh 8 Processor Report Form... 9 Appendices: Sale Transaction Form Processors Report Forms Maps and pictures of open waters for Mississippi Delta Zone and Sunflower River Zone 48

49 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season Paddlefish Harvest: A person with a valid Paddlefish Harvester Permit is allowed to harvest (take) paddlefish caught in legal commercial fishing gear for sale of flesh or roe. The Harvester must sell the roe and document paddlefish catch to persons possessing a Mississippi Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter Permit or Paddlefish Processor Permit. Harvest Restrictions Waters open to paddlefish harvest during the paddlefish roe season: o Border waters with Arkansas see list of waters on Page 8; Season -Dec. to Mar. 3 (Note: Ark. Waters open Nov.20 to Apr.0) o All of Tunica and Quitman Counties and portion of Tallahatchie County north of State Route 32; Season - Jan. to Feb.28 o Waters of Sharkey County north of MS Highway 6 and the Sunflower River along the Washington-Humphreys County Line; Season - Jan. to Feb.28. o Waters of Bear Creek in Sunflower, Humphrey and Leflore Counties south of Macon Road to Wasp Lake Structure; Season Dec. to Jan.28 o Moon Lake, in Coahoma County, Mon-Fri, st week in Dec. and st week in Feb. (nets can be set on Sunday) The minimum length that a paddlefish can be retained is 37 inches as measured from front of eye to fork in the tail on a flat board. Thirty four inches (34 ) is the minimum length for Arkansas waters and Mississippi regulations permit Mississippi Paddlefish Harvester permit holders to harvest fish the same length as that of adjacent state on border waters Paddlefish that are kept must be tagged, immediately, with a Department issued serial tag that will be attached to the dorsal fin. The tag will remain on the fish until flesh is packaged for retail sale or final retail sale to the consumer is made. Paddlefish shall remain whole after capture and eggs shall remain entirely within the body cavity of the fish while the fish is on the water and until the fish reach a Mississippi Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter or Mississippi Paddlefish Processor. Note: A 2-gauge needle inserted into the side of a paddlefish adjacent to the ovaries may be used to determine the presence of eggs (A Meat or flavor injector can be used for this purpose). See page 7. The snout forward of the eye and the tail past the fork may be removed to make it easier to transport harvested paddlefish (Note: This does NOT permit blocking ), and the gill rakers inside mouth can be cut to bleed fish. a) Paddlefish, including the screening of the roe shall be processed at a facility that complies with state and federal regulations. 49

50 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season b) Nonresidents fishing in reciprocal waters who are properly licensed by the border state to take paddlefish can take and/or transport paddlefish to their state of residency, but while in Mississippi the paddlefish shall remain whole, there shall be no cuts or mutilation and eggs shall remain entirely within the body cavity of the fish. Sale of Paddlefish and Paddlefish Parts: Any paddlefish harvested from Mississippi waters must be documented by a person with either a Mississippi Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter Permit or Mississippi Paddlefish Processor Permit for that fish to be further processed or possessed. To be permitted to buy or possess paddlefish eggs or roe in Mississippi, or to export paddlefish flesh or roe across state line a person must have either a Mississippi Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter Permit or Mississippi Paddlefish Processor Permit. PADDLEFISH SALE TRANSACTION FORM: The Sale Transaction Form is used to document the harvest and disposition of paddlefish and paddlefish products. When filling out forms Please print legibly (except for signatures). IF YOU DID NOT HARVEST PADDLEFISH Persons having a Paddlefish Harvester Permit are required to submit to MDWFP at least one Sale Transaction Form each month from December through April, even if you did not harvest any paddlefish. If you did not harvest any paddlefish during a month:. Check the box next to I DID NOT HARVEST ANY PADDLEFISH DURING: and record the month on report in the space provided. 2. Sign your form in the box on the bottom of the form. 3. Send the original copy of the form to MDWFP by the 5 th of the month following the month being reported. IF YOU HARVESTED PADDLEFISH When you harvest paddlefish, a separate Sale Transaction Form must be submitted for each day that you harvested fish. Be sure to list the page number and total number of pages completed for the date in the spaces provided on the top right hand corner of the page. The Sale Transaction Form must be completed at the time of transaction/documentation and the Buyer must fax or a completed copy of the form(s) to MDWFP within 24 hours. (For this instruction manual Buyer shall refer to persons with either a Paddlefish Buyer/Exporter Permit or Paddlefish Processor Permit) Fax Number or

51 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season address garryl@mdwfp.state.ms.us TO FILL OUT THE SALE TRANSACTION FORM: Please PRINT the Harvester s name and the Buyer s name in the appropriate boxes. Then record date of HARVEST and body of water fished (If you were fishing a lake list the lake name> if fishing a river list the river and ramp from which access was obtained; see example for Mississippi River Zone provided in Table ). Record the number of paddlefish you caught then released, and the NUMBER of nets fished. If gear other then gill or trammel nets were used please write in what other gear was used. And, upon delivering your paddlefish to the Buyer, immediately record the date and time in the space provided. Record for each paddlefish harvested the tag number, the Eye to Fork length (length from front of eye to fork in tail) in inches on a flat board, The next items DO NOT have to be recorded on the copy of the form retained by the Harvester: the fish s sex, the weight (in ounces) of eggs, if present. If a female paddlefish is harvested that has no eggs list 0 in the raw egg wt box. The weight of screened eggs. This value does not have to be recorded for each individual fish. The eggs from several paddlefish from the same Sale Transaction can be screened together. A blank line in a Sale Transaction Form except for an entry in the weight of screened eggs box will be the weight of screened eggs for those paddlefish listed above that line to the last weight of screened eggs entry. Destination of eggs. (See Table 2 for suggestions for entry) Destination of flesh. If more than 8 paddlefish were harvested in one day, use the Paddlefish Sale Transaction Form- extra pages form to record information on harvested fish. If the additional forms are required complete the top section (Print - Name of Harvester, Name of Buyer, and date and time paddlefish were delivered to buyer) and the information for the fish. List a page number for each new page. Note: A Sale Transaction Form MUST ACCOMPANY any bulk container of eggs, raw or screened, identifying those eggs to tagged fish(es) from which they were collected. Buyers are at liberty to limit the number of fish on the form to meet this criteria. Both the Harvester and the Buyer must sign the form certifying accurate information was recorded. If you have multiple pages for a transaction, each page of the report must be signed and attach them to the original for that day. 5

52 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season Within 24 hours of receipt, the Buyer must fax or the Sale Transaction Form(s) to MDWFP. The Sale Transaction Form(s) sent to MDWFP must include fish sex, raw egg weight, screened egg weight, flesh destination and roe destination. DISPOSITION After harvested paddlefish have been documented by a Buyer, documented paddlefish flesh can be retained by either the Harvester or Buyer for sale or disposal. The primary identifier of a documented paddlefish will be the tag that will remain in the dorsal fin till final sale to the consumer. It is suggested that a copy of the Sale Transaction Form, signed by both Harvester and Buyer, also accompany any paddlefish flesh to verify that paddlefish have been documented. After documentation, either blocked or packaged paddlefish flesh can be sold to anyone licensed to handle nongame rough fish, restaurants, grocery stores, wholesale food distributors or consumers. Remember, only persons with Buyer/Exporter Permit or Processor Permit can retain paddlefish roe that has not been purchased by the consumer as a retail product. If paddlefish parts have to be disposed, it should be done in an approved sub-title D sanitary landfill. An attached Appendix has a list of approved landfills. IF PADDLEFISH ARE IMPORTED INTO MISISSIPPI By Mississippi Regulations all commercially caught paddlefish have to be tagged. As such the regulations DO NOT permit non-resident harvesters to possess or sell whole paddlefish in Mississippi. There is no restriction on the importation of documented paddlefish roe or processed and packaged paddlefish flesh. A Sale Transaction Form must be completed for the purchase of all paddlefish products including imported products. (Note: Paddlefish caught in border waters by MS Paddlefish Harvesters are NOT considered to be imported fish) If a buyer receives paddlefish products that were harvested out-of-state and then imported into Mississippi by a non-resident the buyer is responsible for completing a Sale Transaction Form for that import, and submitting the Form by fax or within 24 hours. PRIOR TO ENTERING MISSISSIPPI,THE IMPORTER MUST ALREADY HAVE PAPERWORK IN POSSESSION IDENTIFYING THE PRODUCTS AS BEING HARVESTED FROM ANOTHER STATE, AND COPIES OF THAT PAPERWORK SHOULD BE RETAINED BY THE BUYER TO IDENTIFY THOSE EGGS. When reporting imported paddlefish products (roe):. List Date, list seller s name in box labeled Harvesters Name, list Buyers name, and list date and time product received. 2. List in the box labeled Harvest Location", first, the STATE from which harvest took place, then below the state entry, list the body of water from which the fish were harvested. 3. List as much information as practical concerning the product purchased; i.e. weight of eggs as to raw or processed. 4. The importer should sign the Form and record their out-of-state license number in the second box on the bottom of the form. 5. The buyer must sign the Form. 52

53 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS The yellow copy of the Sale Transaction Form is to be retained by the Harvester and the white copy is to be retained by the Buyer receiving the product. A fourth copy is available to be kept with container of eggs. The original light blue Sale Transaction Form(s) must be sent by the Harvester to the Mississippi Dept. Wildlife Fisheries & Parks by the 5th of each month to the following address: Fisheries Bureau Paddlefish Report MDWFP 505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, MS Additional forms may be obtained from the MDWFP by notifying the Fisheries Bureau by telephone at (60) Please allow two weeks to get the new forms. Only legible, fully completed reports as instructed will legally satisfy the harvest report requirements. UNUSED TAGS At the end of the season any unused paddlefish tags must be returned to MDWFP, or inventoried for use during the next season. Tags may be shipped to the above address. Using a Meat/Flavor Injector to test for presence of paddlefish eggs. (Picture on left from Arkansas Game & Fish Commission) Table. List of bodies of water in Mississippi available for paddlefish harvest in the Mississippi River zone during the season Rivers Mississippi Star landing Mississippi Mhoon Landing 53

54 Appendix B Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season Mississippi Helena Mississippi Delta Landing (Friars Point) Mississippi Quapaw Landing (Is63) Mississippi Hill House (Desoto L.) Mississippi Dennis Landing Mississippi Rosedale Port Mississippi Lake Whittington Mississippi Ark. City Mississippi Greenville (L. Ferguson) Mississippi HWY 82 Bridge Mississippi Lake Lee Lakes Horn/ Lakeview Council lake Tunica Cutoff Flower Lake Stoval Old River Mellwood Lake DeSoto Lake Lake Beulah Lake Whittington Lake Ferguson Lake Lee Bar-pit Lakes private access back water lakes Table 2. List of Destinations for Paddlefish Eggs and Flesh Eggs Flesh List Name of Wholesaler List Name of Dealer To be Processed (Processor Permit) Storage Disposed (spoiled) Retained by Harvester Disposed (landfill) List Name of Wholesaler List Name of Fish Market Storage 54

55 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season PROCESSOR REPORT Paddlefish roe can be packaged as a retail product. Persons with Paddlefish Processor Permit are required to process 40 % of the roe they purchase from Mississippi Paddlefish Harvesters as a product packaged for retail sale. The packaged product must have a label that lists the product as Paddlefish roe or caviar and the label must state Product of Mississippi, USA. The label should also have other items normally found on product labels; product name, company name, address. There are two report forms. One is for bulk sales where the retail items are sold to a wholesaler or distributor for resale. The individual sales report is to document volume of sale to individuals, either by mail order or from a location (ie. store). INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE PADDLEFISH PROCESSOR REPORT The Paddlefish Processor Report is submitted monthly if you have a Mississippi Paddlefish Processor Permit, even if you did not process any roe into a retail product. If you have any questions about how to report call the Fisheries Bureau at Before writing on this form, put something between the first set and the remainder of the booklet to prevent your report from transferring through to more than one form. Remember to press firmly to insure that your report is transferring through to the copy. a. Write your name in the box labeled Processor. b. Write the month and year that this report is for on the lines titled Month and Year. If you did not Process any roe as a retail product during a month:. Check the box next to " I did not process any Paddlefish eggs as a retail product during " on the top of the form. 2. Sign your name, in the box on the bottom of the report. 3. Send the original to MDWFP as instructed and retain the copy for your records. If you Packaged paddlefish roe for retail sale: For bulk sales Follow the instructions below for each transaction:. Record the name and address of the vendor the product was shipped to and the date the product was shipped. 55

56 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season 2. Record the number of packaged products shipped by size and type. Molossol is listed for the first row, paste on the second row. The third row has no heading for the processor to list other type of product (i.e. pasteurized, pickled, or salted (for preservation) A column for the size has been left blank for the processor to list other size that roe was packaged as. 3. If the additional pages are required, complete the top section (Print - Name of Processor, Month, and Year) and List a page number for each new page. Use as many pages as necessary. Be sure to list the page number and total number of pages completed for the month in the space provided on the top right hand corner of the report. 4. Sign your name, in the box on the bottom of the report. 5. Send the original to MDWFP as instructed and retain the copy for your records. For individual sales only monthly total of products sent or sold to individuals need to be recorded.. For Mail Order Sales - Record the names of the persons the product was shipped to along with their State residence. 2. Record the total number of packaged products shipped by size and type for that month. Record of transaction per individual is not needed. 3. For Store Sales Record name and location of store. 4. Record the total number of packaged products shipped by size and type for that month. List these in columns below solid line. 5. Sign your name, in the box on the bottom of the report. 6. Send the original to MDWFP as instructed and retain the copy for your records. This report must be submitted to MDWFP by the 5th of the month following the month which is being reported. Send completed reports to: Fisheries Bureau Paddlefish Report MDWFP 505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, MS

57 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season MISSISSIPPI DELTA PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE Season: Dec, 200 to Feb. 5, 20 Min. length = 37 EFL MISSISSIPPI DELTA PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE Upstream end of Panola- Quitman Floodway will be junction with Yocona River. Upstream end of Bobo Bayou will be State Route 6 Upstream end of Coldwater River will be where ditch that runs along Tunica- DeSoto County line enters Coldwater River 57

58 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season MISSISSIPPI DELTA PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE Jct. of ditch along Tunica/DeSoto line with Coldwater River MISSISSIPPI DELTA PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE About mile downstream of canal jct. Rip-rap, with I-beams & irrigation intake 58

59 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season SUNFLOWER RIVER PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE Season: Jan, to Feb.28, 20 Min. length = 37 EFL 59

60 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season SUNFLOWER RIVER PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE Portion of Sharkey County above Route 6 Brumfield Landing Sunflower River that is border Humphrey s & Washington Counties Can access zone via Brumfield Landing Upstream end of harvest zone SUNFLOWER RIVER PADDLEFISH HARVEST ZONE These poles are about 3 ½ miles downstream from the Brumfield Landing Boat Ramp and mark upstream end of open paddlefish harvest zone 60

61 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season Page : of. PADDLEFISH SALE TRANSACTION FORM I did not harvest any Paddlefish during : (list month and year). Harvest s Name Harvest Date Number of Paddlefish Released Less than more than less legal size Gear: record the number of sets you used next to the appropriate gear type legal Size legal size with eggs Buyer s Name Harvest Location Date and time product received Gill Nets Trammel Nets Other Record tag number, length (inches)of fish harvested, sex of fish, weight of roe(oz.), and destination of catch. Tag Number EF length Sex Raw egg wt Screened egg wt Egg Destination Flesh Destination I certify that this is a true and accurate record of my transaction with this permitted paddlefish harvester. I certify that this is a true and accurate record of my harvest and transaction information Buyer s Signature Permit # Harvester s Signature Permit Number 6

62 Appendix B -Guide to the Commercial Harvest of Paddlefish in Mississippi for the Season PADDLEFISH PROCESSOR REPORT FORM Bulk Sales Report Page : of Processor Month Year I did not process any Paddlefish eggs as a retail product during : list month and year Destination of Retail Product Number of Containers Vendor Vendor address Date oz 2oz 4oz 8oz 6oz 32oz kg Type molosol Paste molosol Paste molosol Paste I certify that this is a true and accurate record of my transaction of retail paddlefish products. molosol Paste 62

63 APPENDIX C -GUIDE TO SUMMER HARVEST OF PADDLEFISH Paddlefish Summer Harvest 20 Thank you for participating in Mississippi s summer fishery for paddlefish During the months of May thru August, a person possessing a valid commercial fishing license and paddlefish tags can harvest five paddlefish per day. Paddlefish desired to be kept must have a MDWFP issued tag attached at time of possession. Any size paddlefish from almost any waters open to commercial fishing can be harvested during this period. Waters that are not open to summer harvest of paddlefish Tennessee River, Tombigbee River (including Tenn-Tom Waterway), and Pascagoula River including all waters, rivers and streams within the watersheds of these three rivers. Many paddlefish caught in nets during the warm months of the year do not survive. The summer paddlefish fishery was established for fishers to utilize this wasted resource. A tagging and reporting system was established with this program to get data on Mississippi s paddlefish stocks. These data are needed to determine if Mississippi can maintain a summer paddlefish fishery. Paddlefish populations are prone to over-fishing from the advanced age required for this fish to reach maturity, and the infrequency in spawning. Paddlefish stocks are now highly regulated due to the high demand for their roe for the caviar trade. Tags for paddlefish harvest can be ordered from the MDWFP Jackson office. A form for ordering tags can be downloaded from the MDWFP Commercial Fishery webpage, home.mdwfp.com/fisheries/commercial.aspx, or one can call to order tags, or have an order form mailed. Tags are sold in bundles of 20 plastic tags. The cost for a bundle of 20 tags will be $5.29. MDWFP had to limit the number of tags the Department procured, and there were not enough to distribute tags to the District Offices or State Park Offices. MDWFP apologizes for this inconvenience in not having these tags available at all locations where commercial fishing licenses are sold. To tag a paddlefish, insert the tag through a slit made in the flesh below the dorsal fin. A person who purchases Paddlefish Summer Tags will be given form(s) to record their harvest of paddlefish. A self-addressed envelope will be included to return the completed forms to MDWFP by September 5,

64 APPENDIX C -GUIDE TO SUMMER HARVEST OF PADDLEFISH How To Fill Out The Summer Paddlefish Harvest Forms. Each Tag bundle will have a harvest report form, paddlefish transaction form, and a self-addressed letter to send in the harvest report form (due by September 5). Paddlefish Harvest Report Form: 2. Fill in the blocks for your Name and Year that the report form covers. 3. Fill in information for each date of the month that you harvest a paddlefish List date block on top row as month/date/year (ex. 5/3/). 4. For harvested paddlefish please list Eye-Fork Length (to nearest inch) AND tag number. Eye-Fork length (EFL) is the length from eye to anterior curvature in tail. A 4 foot ruler or a seamstress tape could be used. You can keep (harvest) up to 5 paddlefish per day, and there are 5 boxes to record the requested information for any given day. If you choose to only keep one paddlefish per day there are 20 columns, 0 front and back, to record harvest by each date a paddlefish was caught. ONCE YOU DECIDE TO KEEP A PADDLEFISH, A TAG MUST BE INSERTED AT THAT TIME AND MUST REMAIN UNTIL THE FISH IS CONSUMED OR PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE. During the summer a paddlefish can be blocked but the tag has to remain on the blockedout fish. The reporting of the harvest from multiple 20-tag bundles can be combined on a form for up to 20 days of harvest. 5. For released fish, either alive or dead; list numbers of paddlefish, by select lengths. Many commercial paddlefish fishers place marks on their boat to note a specific length of a fish. 6. List what gear was fished to capture paddlefish in the blocks by date. 7. For location; list the locations you fished in the Location block. 8. Sign the form on the back when you get ready to send it in Paddlefish Transaction Form ( these are printed with 4 Transaction Forms per page): This form is to be used if you sell your paddlefish to a fish market, etc. The purpose of the form is to provide documentation in the market that the fish was legally harvested.. Print your name in the block at top and the date the paddlefish were SOLD 2. Record the name of the person taking possession of the paddlefish and the business name if applicable. 3. Record the tag number on the fish that was sold and list the length of the fish as recorded on your harvest record (do not list blocked-out length) 4. Sign the form, then cut out a copy of the form to leave with the market. If you need harvest forms they can be downloaded from the MDWFP Commercial Fishery webpage, home.mdwfp.com/fisheries/commercial.aspx, or one can call to have forms mailed to you. Thank you for your cooperation and if you have any questions or experience problems feel free to contact Garry Lucas in the Fisheries Bureau at , ; glucas_mdwfp@yahoo.com SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO: MDWFP Fisheries Bureau, Paddlefish Harvest Survey 505 Eastover Dr. Jackson Mississippi Forms must be received by September 5, 20 64

65 APPENDIX C -GUIDE TO SUMMER HARVEST OF PADDLEFISH MDWFP - PADDLEFISH SUMMER HARVEST REPORT DATE (write in) PADDLEFISH Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Tag # EFL Harvested Released Alive Less than 32 EFL EFL Greater than 37 Released Dead Less than 32 EFL EFL Greater than 37 Other (list) Fisherperson s Name Year 65

66 APPENDIX C -GUIDE TO SUMMER HARVEST OF PADDLEFISH MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT WILDLIFE FISHERIES & PARKS PADDLEFISH SUMMER HARVEST REPORT Fisher s Name Month Year Date (write in) Gill Net # nets Yards Trammel # nets Yards Hoop net Trot line # nets # sets Other (list) # hooks Location I certify that this is a true and accurate record of my harvest Harvester s Signature 66

67 APPENDIX C GUIDE TO SUMMER HARVEST OF PADDLEFISH PADDLEFISH TRANSACTION FORM For Summer Harvest Period Harvester s Name Transaction Date Flesh Destination Person Business Record tag number and length of fish Tag Number EF length Tag Number EF length I certify that this is a true and accurate record of my transaction Harvester s Signature The form sent to the purchaser of Paddlefish Summer Tags had on each page 4 Paddlefish Transaction Forms, like that above. 67

68 Appendix D Freshwater Commercial Fishing Report Requirements Commercial Fishing Report Requirements 200 Season Greetings, Commercial Fishing License Holder, During the 2008 session the Mississippi Legislature adopted a law that requires persons with Commercial Fishing Licenses to report their harvest and activities (Statute ). This is the third year that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has collected information on harvest and utilization of Mississippi nongame gross fish. As such, MDWFP now has a better understanding of the people who harvest nongame gross fish, while at the same time gaining information on the importance of the state s inland commercial fishery. All commercial fishing license holders must complete and submit the enclosed Survey and Harvest Report Forms. The survey and harvest report must be submitted by February 2, 20. If you harvest nongame gross fish (rough fish) using commercial fishing gear either for your personal use or for sale you must complete and submit a Harvest Report Form. See the back for a summary of last year s survey. PROPOSED CHANGES TO COMMERCIAL FISHING REGULATIONS Within the next several months the Fisheries Bureau would like to review the regulations governing commercial fishing activity and present changes to the Wildlife Commission for consideration. Several commercial fishing items the Bureau would like to consider: o Establish regulations that penalize persons tampering with someone else s gear. o Establish regulations that permit driving fish into nets, and allow use of seines. o Modify gear language to permit use of crawfish traps. o Modify regulations on border waters to be consistent with that of border state. o Consider changes to regulations to assist in marketing commercial fish products. In this process the Fisheries Bureau will try to respond to comments presented by past harvest survey respondents in establishing regulations. To view progress on proposing regulation changes please visit the MDWFP Commercial Fishing webpage at You are welcome to make suggestions and comments: Contact our Commercial Fishery Biologist at garryl@mdwfp.state.ms.us. PADDLEFISH FISHING If you are interested in harvesting paddlefish or bowfin for its roe, special permits are needed. Harvest permits are no longer available for this winter season.applications for commercial 68

MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2009

MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2009 MS 43 MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2009 Report For Project 0009: Freshwater Commercial Fishery Coordination Freshwater Fisheries Report

More information

MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010

MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 MS 424 MISSISSIPPI FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PADDLEFISH COMMERCIAL FISHERY REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 200 Report for Project 09: Freshwater Commercial Fishery Coordination Freshwater Fisheries Report

More information

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS Title 40: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Part 3: Fisheries Part 3, Chapter 3: Regulations

More information

Profile of the Current Non-Asian Carp Commercial Fishing Industry on the Illinois River

Profile of the Current Non-Asian Carp Commercial Fishing Industry on the Illinois River Profile of the Current Non-Asian Carp Commercial Fishing Industry on the Illinois River Rob Maher Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries Commercial Fishing Project Manager Historic

More information

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed.

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed. Arkabutla Reservoir 219 REEL FACTS Keith Meals, Arthur Dunn, Stanley Turner Fisheries Biologists keithm@wfp.ms.gov, ArthurD@wfp.ms.gov, StanleyT@wfp.ms.gov General Information: Arkabutla Reservoir is one

More information

Little Calumet River Rapid Response Fish Identification and Enumeration Branch Summary Report

Little Calumet River Rapid Response Fish Identification and Enumeration Branch Summary Report Little Calumet River Rapid Response Fish Identification and Enumeration Branch Summary Report Introduction A rotenone rapid response was completed on a 2.6-mile section of the Little Calumet River immediately

More information

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed.

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed. Grenada Reservoir 218 REEL FACTS Keith Meals, Arthur Dunn, Stanley Turner Fisheries Biologists keithm@mdwfp.state.ms.us, ArthurD@mdwfp.state.ms.us, StanleyT@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: Grenada

More information

Moon Lake 2019 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock - Fisheries Biologist (601)

Moon Lake 2019 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock - Fisheries Biologist (601) Moon Lake 19 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock - Fisheries Biologist NathanA@mdwfp.state.ms.us (61) 43- General Information: Moon Lake is a,3 acre oxbow lake of the Mississippi River. The primary inflow to the

More information

REEL FACTS. Regulations. Limblines Fishing with limblines and set hooks is prohibited at Lake Washington.

REEL FACTS. Regulations. Limblines Fishing with limblines and set hooks is prohibited at Lake Washington. Lake Washington 19 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock Fisheries Biologist NathanA@mdwfp.state.ms.us (61) 432-2 General Information: Lake Washington is a 3, acre oxbow lake of the Mississippi River. It is one of

More information

Moon Lake 2018 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock - Fisheries Biologist (601)

Moon Lake 2018 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock - Fisheries Biologist (601) Moon Lake 18 REEL FACTS Nathan Aycock - Fisheries Biologist NathanA@mdwfp.state.ms.us (61) 43- General Information: Moon Lake is a,3 acre oxbow lake of the Mississippi River. The primary inflow to the

More information

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed.

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed. Sardis Reservoir 218 REEL FACTS Keith Meals, Arthur Dunn, Stanley Turner Fisheries Biologists keithm@mdwfp.state.ms.us, ArthurD@mdwfp.state.ms.us, StanleyT@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: Sardis

More information

TABLE ROCK LAKE 2014 ANNUAL LAKE REPORT. Shane Bush Fisheries Management Biologist Missouri Department of Conservation Southwest Region

TABLE ROCK LAKE 2014 ANNUAL LAKE REPORT. Shane Bush Fisheries Management Biologist Missouri Department of Conservation Southwest Region TABLE ROCK LAKE 14 ANNUAL LAKE REPORT Shane Bush Fisheries Management Biologist Missouri Department of Conservation Southwest Region March 1, 15 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table Rock Lake is a 43,1 acre reservoir

More information

Permits will not be renewed without a current commercial trapping license.

Permits will not be renewed without a current commercial trapping license. MARK WILLIAMS COMMISSIONER THOMAS BARNARD COLONEL M E M O R A N D U M TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Nuisance Wildlife Control Permit Holders Special Permit Unit Renewal Application Enclosed please find a Nuisance

More information

MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report. January 24-28, 2019

MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report. January 24-28, 2019 MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report January 24-28, 2019 Prepared by: Houston Havens Waterfowl Program Coordinator and Darrin Hardesty Waterfowl Program Biologist MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries,

More information

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS Title 40: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Part 3: Fisheries Part 3, Chapter 3: Regulations

More information

Potomac River Fisheries Commission s. American Shad Fishing / Recovery Plan. Submitted to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Potomac River Fisheries Commission s. American Shad Fishing / Recovery Plan. Submitted to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Potomac River Fisheries Commission s American Shad Fishing / Recovery Plan Submitted to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission January 10, 2012 1. Sustainable Fishery Plan In accordance with the

More information

JadEco, LLC PO BOX 445 Shannon, IL 61078

JadEco, LLC PO BOX 445 Shannon, IL 61078 Introduction: With the assistance of Lake Holiday staff and volunteers, we were able to conduct an AC electrofishing survey on May 8, 27. Water temperatures were 2.3 C (8.5 F) and water clarity was decent

More information

Tunica Cutoff 2018 REEL FACTS Keith Meals Fisheries Biologist

Tunica Cutoff 2018 REEL FACTS Keith Meals Fisheries Biologist Tunica Cutoff 218 REEL FACTS Keith Meals Fisheries Biologist keithm@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: Tunica Cutoff was created by the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) in 1942 when a bend in the Mississippi

More information

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS Title 40: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Part 3. Fisheries Part 3, Chapter 3: Regulations

More information

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed.

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed. Sardis Reservoir 19 REEL FACTS Keith Meals, Arthur Dunn, Stanley Turner Fisheries Biologists keithm@wfp.ms.gov, ArthurD@wfp.ms.gov, StanleyT@wfp.ms.gov General Information: Sardis Reservoir is one of four

More information

Lake Butte des Morts Commercial Seining Project Report

Lake Butte des Morts Commercial Seining Project Report Lake Butte des Morts Commercial Seining Project Report Adam Nickel, Winnebago Gamefish (excluding sturgeon) Biologist, 22 December 2014 Conducting comprehensive fish surveys on the Upriver Lakes, including

More information

Investigating reproduction and abundance of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Greenup pool, Ohio River

Investigating reproduction and abundance of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Greenup pool, Ohio River Investigating reproduction and abundance of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Greenup pool, Ohio River Nathan Fleshman Dr. Thomas Jones Photo: USGS Photo: USGS

More information

MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report. December 18-23, 2018

MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report. December 18-23, 2018 MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report December 18-23, 2018 Prepared by: Houston Havens Waterfowl Program Coordinator and Darrin Hardesty Waterfowl Program Biologist MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries,

More information

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed.

Regulations. Grabbling season May 1 July 15; only wooden structures allowed. Enid Reservoir 218 REEL FACTS Keith Meals, Arthur Dunn, Stanley Turner Fisheries Biologists keithm@mdwfp.state.ms.us, ArthurD@mdwfp.state.ms.us, StanleyT@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: Enid Reservoir

More information

Dauphin Lake Fishery. Status of Walleye Stocks and Conservation Measures

Dauphin Lake Fishery. Status of Walleye Stocks and Conservation Measures Dauphin Lake Fishery Status of Walleye Stocks and Conservation Measures Date: December, 21 Dauphin Lake Fishery Status of Walleye Stocks and Conservation Measures Background: Walleye stocks in Dauphin

More information

ASMFC Stock Assessment Overview: Red Drum

ASMFC Stock Assessment Overview: Red Drum Introduction This document presents a summary of the 217 stock assessments for red drum. These assessments were initially conducted through the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process using

More information

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, Lake Superior Area

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, Lake Superior Area Minnesota F-9-R(P)- Study 4 Job 616 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, Lake Superior Area Coaster Brook Trout Status in Minnesota-Lake Superior Tributaries Following Regulation

More information

MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report. November 13-16, 2017

MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report. November 13-16, 2017 MDWFP Aerial Waterfowl Survey Report November 13-16, 2017 Prepared by: Houston Havens Waterfowl Program Coordinator and Alec Conrad Private Lands Biologist Delta Region MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries,

More information

Pickwick Lake 2018 REEL FACTS Trevor Knight Fisheries Biologist (662)

Pickwick Lake 2018 REEL FACTS Trevor Knight Fisheries Biologist (662) Pickwick Lake 218 REEL FACTS Trevor Knight Fisheries Biologist trevork@mdwfp.state.ms.us (662) 84-5176 General Information: Covering 43,1 acres, Pickwick Lake, which borders Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi,

More information

Agenda Item Summary BACKGROUND. Public Involvement ISSUE ANALYSIS. Attachment 1

Agenda Item Summary BACKGROUND. Public Involvement ISSUE ANALYSIS. Attachment 1 Agenda Item Summary Attachment BACKGROUND Between 996 and 03 white sturgeon fisheries in the Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam were managed under a series of management accords between the

More information

A Brief Summary of Missouri Fishing Laws Potentially Useful to a Catfisherman

A Brief Summary of Missouri Fishing Laws Potentially Useful to a Catfisherman A Brief Summary of Missouri Fishing Laws Potentially Useful to a Catfisherman Last Update: 27-Sep-17 Marty Tippin martyt@pobox.com Copyright 2008-2017 Marty Tippin. This document may not be published,

More information

APPENDIX B. SUPREME COURT S EXTENDED SCHEDULE OF FINES

APPENDIX B. SUPREME COURT S EXTENDED SCHEDULE OF FINES APPENDIX B. SUPREME COURT S EXTENDED SCHEDULE OF FINES CONSERVATION Offense Game & Fish: Code Section or Regulation No.: Scheduled Fine 9-1-1 Making false statement to obtain $250 license 9-1-3 Lending,

More information

Quemahoning Reservoir

Quemahoning Reservoir Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Biologist Report Quemahoning Reservoir Somerset County May 2011 Trap Net, Gill Net and Electrofishing Survey Quemahoning Reservoir is an 899 acre impoundment located

More information

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FEDERAL AID JOB PROGRESS REPORTS F-20-48 2012 RYE PATCH RESERVOIR WESTERN REGION NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES DIVISION JOB PROGRESS

More information

Job Title: Game Management, Subsection B Game Management Mountain Lion

Job Title: Game Management, Subsection B Game Management Mountain Lion Job Title:, Subsection B Goal: Manage the mountain lion population, its numbers and distribution, as an important part of Arizona s fauna and to provide mountain lion hunting recreation opportunity while

More information

Management Plan for the Obey River Trout Fishery

Management Plan for the Obey River Trout Fishery Management Plan for the Obey River Trout Fishery 28-214 By: James Travis Scott Jack Swearengin Walter Scott Webb D.W. Young Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency January 28 Management Plan for the Obey River

More information

Angling in Manitoba (2000)

Angling in Manitoba (2000) Angling in Manitoba (2000) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Angler Profile 2 Angling Effort 7 Catch and Harvest 10 Angling Expenditures 13 Bait Use 16 Nonresident Trip Characteristics 18 Angling in

More information

Spring Lake 2017 REEL FACTS Keith Meals Fisheries Biologist

Spring Lake 2017 REEL FACTS Keith Meals Fisheries Biologist Spring Lake 217 REEL FACTS Keith Meals Fisheries Biologist keithm@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: Spring Lake is a clear, shallow 6 acre spring-fed impoundment in Wall Doxey State Park. Nearly half

More information

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FEDERAL AID JOB PROGRESS REPORTS F-2-49 213 RYE PATCH RESERVOIR WESTERN REGION NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES DIVISION ANNUAL PROGRESS

More information

Indiana Administrative Code Page IAC Aquaculture permit Authority: IC Affected: IC Sec. 17. (a) A person must not

Indiana Administrative Code Page IAC Aquaculture permit Authority: IC Affected: IC Sec. 17. (a) A person must not Indiana Administrative Code Page 71 312 IAC 9-10-17 Aquaculture permit Affected: IC 14-22-27 Sec. 17. (a) A person must not import, raise, sell, or transport fish into or within Indiana without an aquaculture

More information

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS Title 40: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Part 3. Fisheries Part 3, Chapter 1. General Fisheries

More information

ASMFC Stock Assessment Overview: Red Drum

ASMFC Stock Assessment Overview: Red Drum Purpose The purpose of this document is to improve the understanding and transparency of the Commission s stock assessment process and results. It is the first of several that will be developed throughout

More information

ASMFC American Shad Sustainable Fishing Plan for Georgia

ASMFC American Shad Sustainable Fishing Plan for Georgia ASMFC American Shad Sustainable Fishing Plan for Georgia Introduction: Submitted by Don Harrison Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division P.O. Box 289, 18 Darling Avenue Waycross,

More information

EVALUATION OF THE FISH COMMUNITY AND GAME FISH POPULATIONS IN SUGAR CREEK (MONTGOMERY AND PARKE COUNTIES)

EVALUATION OF THE FISH COMMUNITY AND GAME FISH POPULATIONS IN SUGAR CREEK (MONTGOMERY AND PARKE COUNTIES) EVALUATION OF THE FISH COMMUNITY AND GAME FISH POPULATIONS IN SUGAR CREEK (MONTGOMERY AND PARKE COUNTIES) 2000 Fish Management Report Douglas C. Keller Fisheries Biologist FISHERIES SECTION INDIANA DEPARTMENT

More information

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS

MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS Title 40: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Part 3. Fisheries Part 3, Chapter 1. General Fisheries

More information

Introduction: JadEco, LLC PO BOX 445 Shannon, IL 61078

Introduction: JadEco, LLC PO BOX 445 Shannon, IL 61078 Introduction: was contacted to collected data on the fishery for Lake Holiday. AC Electroshocking was conducted at 2 locations on September 28, 2015. Fish population data was collected for a total of 100

More information

Columbia River Fishery Notice

Columbia River Fishery Notice Columbia River Fishery Notice Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife January 29, 2014 Compact Action The Columbia River Compact agencies of Oregon and Washington met today and took the following actions:

More information

The Fisheries Reform Act of The Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture March 30, 2010

The Fisheries Reform Act of The Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture March 30, 2010 The Fisheries Reform Act of 1997 The Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture March 30, 2010 History July 1, 1994 Moratorium on Commercial Fishing Licenses Based on wide range of concerns

More information

MIDDLE FORK RESERVOIR Wayne County 2004 Fish Management Report. Christopher C. Long Assistant Fisheries Biologist

MIDDLE FORK RESERVOIR Wayne County 2004 Fish Management Report. Christopher C. Long Assistant Fisheries Biologist MIDDLE FORK RESERVOIR Wayne County 2004 Fish Management Report Christopher C. Long Assistant Fisheries Biologist FISHERIES SECTION INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

More information

MARTINDALE POND Wayne County 2004 Fish Management Report. Christopher C. Long Assistant Fisheries Biologist

MARTINDALE POND Wayne County 2004 Fish Management Report. Christopher C. Long Assistant Fisheries Biologist MARTINDALE POND Wayne County 2004 Fish Management Report Christopher C. Long Assistant Fisheries Biologist Fisheries Section Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife I.G.C.

More information

Chapter Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Chapter Saltwater Fishing Regulations Chapter 391-2-4 Saltwater Fishing Regulations BACKGROUND AND SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COASTAL RESOURCES DIVISION RELATING TO CHAPTER 391-2-4,

More information

OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE JOINT STAFF REPORT SUMMER FACT SHEET NO.

OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE JOINT STAFF REPORT SUMMER FACT SHEET NO. OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE JOINT STAFF REPORT SUMMER FACT SHEET NO. 1 Columbia River Compact/Joint State Hearing June 28, 2018 Fisheries under consideration: Treaty commercial

More information

Pascagoula River Marsh 2018 REEL FACTS Stephen Brown Fisheries Biologist

Pascagoula River Marsh 2018 REEL FACTS Stephen Brown Fisheries Biologist Pascagoula River Marsh 218 REEL FACTS Stephen Brown Fisheries Biologist stephenb@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: The Pascagoula River marsh is 25 acres of tidal creeks, canals, bays, and streams

More information

Tuttle Creek Fisheries Newsletter Spring 2017

Tuttle Creek Fisheries Newsletter Spring 2017 Tuttle Creek Fisheries Newsletter Spring 2017 Please update your contacts as all KDWPT personnel have new email addresses in 2017 with @ks.gov Crappie Forecast for the Manhattan District Ely Sprenkle Tuttle

More information

TRAPPING HARVEST STATISTICS. Division of Fish and Wildlife 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20 Saint Paul, MN (651)

TRAPPING HARVEST STATISTICS. Division of Fish and Wildlife 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20 Saint Paul, MN (651) TRAPPING HARVEST STATISTICS Division of Fish and Wildlife 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20 Saint Paul, MN 55155-4020 (651) 259-5207 265 266 2007 TRAPPER HARVEST SURVEY Margaret Dexter, Wildlife Research Unit

More information

LOGAN MARTIN RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT REPORT. Prepared by. E. Daniel Catchings District Fisheries Supervisor

LOGAN MARTIN RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT REPORT. Prepared by. E. Daniel Catchings District Fisheries Supervisor LOGAN MARTIN RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT REPORT 2008 Prepared by E. Daniel Catchings District Fisheries Supervisor Robert O. Andress District Fisheries Biologist Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

More information

STUDY PERFORMANCE REPORT

STUDY PERFORMANCE REPORT STUDY PERFORMANCE REPORT State: Michigan Project No.: F-81-R-1 Study No.: 436 Title: Vital Statistics of walleye in Saginaw Bay Period Covered: October 1, 1999 to September 30, 2000 Study Objective: To

More information

Cedar Lake Comprehensive Survey Report Steve Hogler and Steve Surendonk WDNR-Mishicot

Cedar Lake Comprehensive Survey Report Steve Hogler and Steve Surendonk WDNR-Mishicot Cedar Lake- 2006 Comprehensive Survey Report Steve Hogler and Steve Surendonk WDNR-Mishicot ABSTRACT Cedar Lake is a 142 acre lake located in the southwest corner of Manitowoc County. It is a seepage lake

More information

Potomac River Muskellunge

Potomac River Muskellunge Potomac River Muskellunge The non-tidal Potomac River currently supports Maryland s only true muskellunge population. This relatively new fishery is maintained entirely through natural reproduction. Favorable

More information

In each summer issue of Lake

In each summer issue of Lake The 2000 Lake Erie Walleye Report by Rick Kubb In each summer issue of Lake Erie Walleye Magazine, we provide a synopsis of the walleye fishery in Lake Erie based on the scientific reports produced by

More information

Pascagoula River Marsh 2017 REEL FACTS Stephen Brown Fisheries Biologist

Pascagoula River Marsh 2017 REEL FACTS Stephen Brown Fisheries Biologist Pascagoula River Marsh 217 REEL FACTS Stephen Brown Fisheries Biologist stephenb@mdwfp.state.ms.us General Information: The Pascagoula River marsh is 25 acres of tidal creeks, canals, bays, and streams

More information

COMMERCIAL PADDLEFISH DEALER S

COMMERCIAL PADDLEFISH DEALER S Section II T. 1 COMMERCIAL PADDLEFISH DEALER S Valid: Oct 1 Sept 30 Resident Nonresident Alabama Game, Fish and Wildlife Law; Article 4; beginning with 9-11-153(b) PRIVILEGE: Allows licensee to engage

More information

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE SPORT FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE SPORT FISHERIES MANAGEMENT NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE SPORT FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FEDERAL AID JOB PROGRESS REPORT F-20-50 2014 Urban Sport Fisheries SOUTHERN REGION NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES DIVISION ANNUAL

More information

2012 Maryland FMP Report (July 2013) Section 15. Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

2012 Maryland FMP Report (July 2013) Section 15. Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 Pounds 2012 Maryland FMP Report (July 2013) Section 15. Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Chesapeake Bay FMP In 2012, red drum were

More information

Management and Control of Asian Carps in the United States. Greg Conover Asian Carp Working Group, Chair USFWS, Carterville FRO

Management and Control of Asian Carps in the United States. Greg Conover Asian Carp Working Group, Chair USFWS, Carterville FRO Management and Control of Asian Carps in the United States Greg Conover Asian Carp Working Group, Chair USFWS, Carterville FRO Asian Carp 7 carps native to Asia introduced into U.S. Asian carps = bighead,

More information

Job Title: Game Management, Subsection B Game Management Mountain Lion. SPECIES: Mountain Lion

Job Title: Game Management, Subsection B Game Management Mountain Lion. SPECIES: Mountain Lion SPECIES: Goal: Manage the mountain lion population, its numbers and distribution, as an important part of Arizona s fauna and to provide mountain lion hunting recreation opportunity while maintaining existing

More information

Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Status of the Fishery Resource Report Page 1. Weber Lake Cheboygan County, T34N, R3W, Sec.

Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Status of the Fishery Resource Report Page 1. Weber Lake Cheboygan County, T34N, R3W, Sec. Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources 2012-143 Status of the Fishery Resource Report Page 1 Weber Lake Cheboygan County, T34N, R3W, Sec. 31 Neal Godby, Fisheries Biologist Environment Weber Lake is a 28.5-acre

More information

SEDAR 18 Working Paper Prepared by Lee Paramore February 11, 2009

SEDAR 18 Working Paper Prepared by Lee Paramore February 11, 2009 SEDAR 18 Working Paper Prepared by Lee Paramore February 11, 2009 An Estimate of Red Drum Removals from the North Carolina Estuarine Gill Net Fishery Occurring from both Recreational Users of Gill Nets

More information

TRAPPING HARVEST STATISTICS. Division of Fish and Wildlife 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20 Saint Paul, MN (651)

TRAPPING HARVEST STATISTICS. Division of Fish and Wildlife 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20 Saint Paul, MN (651) TRAPPING HARVEST STATISTICS Division of Fish and Wildlife 500 Lafayette Road, Box 20 Saint Paul, MN 55155-4020 (651) 259-5207 289 290 2010 TRAPPER HARVEST SURVEY Margaret Dexter, Wildlife Research Unit

More information

RESULTS OF THE TRAPPING SEASON

RESULTS OF THE TRAPPING SEASON Trapping Licenses RESULTS OF THE 2017-2018 TRAPPING SEASON Despite the stagnant fur market, the total number of trapping licenses sold increased this year by 10%. Records indicate a total of 2,374 trapping

More information

STUDY PERFORMANCE REPORT

STUDY PERFORMANCE REPORT STUDY PERFORMANCE REPORT State: Michigan Project No.: F-81-R-3 Study No.: 491 Title: Evaluation of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens populations in the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair Period Covered:

More information

Lake Seminole. and Waters Bordering Georgia and Alabama

Lake Seminole. and Waters Bordering Georgia and Alabama Lake Seminole and Waters Bordering Georgia and Alabama LAKE SEMINOLE Site Description Lake Seminole is a 37,500-acre reservoir located at the juncture of the Florida, Georgia, and Alabama state lines.

More information

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FEDERAL AID JOB PROGRESS REPORTS F-20-49 2013 SQUAW CREEK RESERVOIR WESTERN REGION Contents NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES DIVISION

More information

Fisheries Survey of White Rapids Flowage, Marinette County Wisconsin during Waterbody Identification Code

Fisheries Survey of White Rapids Flowage, Marinette County Wisconsin during Waterbody Identification Code Fisheries Survey of White Rapids Flowage, Marinette County Wisconsin during 25 Waterbody Identification Code 6343 Michael Donofrio Fisheries Supervisor Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Peshtigo,

More information

Columbia Lake Dam Removal Project

Columbia Lake Dam Removal Project Columbia Lake Dam Removal Project The Columbia Lake dam located 1/4 mile upstream of the Paulins Kill River's confluence with the Delaware River in Knowlton Township, Warren County has been proposed for

More information

Department of Fish and Game

Department of Fish and Game Department of Fish and Game DIVISION OF SPORT FISH 3298 Douglas Place Homer, AK 99603 Main: 907-235-8191 Fax: 907-235-2448 P.O. Box 110024 Juneau, AK 99811-0024 Main: 907-465-4270 Fax: 907-465-2034 October

More information

Cast Net Report. As required by Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.345, subdivision 3a, paragraph (c) 03/01/2018. Cast Net Report 1

Cast Net Report. As required by Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.345, subdivision 3a, paragraph (c) 03/01/2018. Cast Net Report 1 Cast Net Report As required by Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.345, subdivision 3a, paragraph (c) 03/01/2018 Cast Net Report 1 Report to the Minnesota Legislature Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

More information

LAKE DIANE Hillsdale County (T8-9S, R3W, Sections 34, 3, 4) Surveyed May Jeffrey J. Braunscheidel

LAKE DIANE Hillsdale County (T8-9S, R3W, Sections 34, 3, 4) Surveyed May Jeffrey J. Braunscheidel Michigan Department of Natural Resources Status of the Fishery Resource Report No. 2003-4, 2003 LAKE DIANE Hillsdale County (T8-9S, R3W, Sections 34, 3, 4) Surveyed May 2001 Jeffrey J. Braunscheidel Environment

More information

Job Title: Game Management, Subsection B Game Management Mountain Lion. SPECIES: Mountain Lion

Job Title: Game Management, Subsection B Game Management Mountain Lion. SPECIES: Mountain Lion SPECIES: Goal: Manage the mountain lion population, its numbers and distribution, as an important part of Arizona s fauna and to provide mountain lion hunting recreation opportunity while maintaining existing

More information

ADDENDUM I TO AMENDMENT 3 OF THE INTERSTATE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WEAKFISH

ADDENDUM I TO AMENDMENT 3 OF THE INTERSTATE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WEAKFISH ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION ADDENDUM I TO AMENDMENT 3 OF THE INTERSTATE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WEAKFISH Prepared by the Weakfish Plan Review Team Approved October 18, 2000 TABLE OF

More information

INLAND LAKE MANAGEMENT REPORT FY Spring 2008

INLAND LAKE MANAGEMENT REPORT FY Spring 2008 INLAND LAKE MANAGEMENT REPORT FY 2008 Spring 2008 Prepared by Robert O. Andress District Fisheries Biologist E. Daniel Catchings District Fisheries Supervisor Kevin W. Baswell District Biologist Aide Department

More information

Crews collected 5,874 fish of 49 species and 1 hybrid group, which included 120 Banded Killifish (state threatened species).

Crews collected 5,874 fish of 49 species and 1 hybrid group, which included 120 Banded Killifish (state threatened species). June Summary Bottom Line: Monitoring occurred in the CAWS and upper Illinois Waterway downstream of the Electric Dispersal Barrier in May. NO BIGHEAD CARP OR SILVER CARP were any found in new locations

More information

FUR DEALER LICENSE Valid: Oct 1 Sept 31 Resident - Nonresident

FUR DEALER LICENSE Valid: Oct 1 Sept 31 Resident - Nonresident Fur Dealer Page 1 FUR DEALER LICENSE Valid: Oct 1 Sept 31 Resident - Nonresident Alabama Game, Fish and Wildlife Law; Article 2; beginning with 9-11-63 PRIVILEGE: Residents must reside in state for 1 year

More information

SKIATOOK LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN

SKIATOOK LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN SKIATOOK LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN Background Skiatook Lake impounds Hominy Creek, 5 miles west of Skiatook in Osage County, Oklahoma (Figure 1). Skiatook Lake covers 10,540 surface acres and was constructed

More information

Establish interim harvest reductions that end overfishing and rebuild the spawning stock biomass by 2015.

Establish interim harvest reductions that end overfishing and rebuild the spawning stock biomass by 2015. Interim Management Measures for Achieving Sustainable Harvest I. Issue Establish interim harvest reductions that end overfishing and rebuild the spawning stock biomass by 2015. II. Background The 2009

More information

SUMMARY OF CONOWINGO DAM WEST FISH LIFT OPERATIONS 2012

SUMMARY OF CONOWINGO DAM WEST FISH LIFT OPERATIONS 2012 SUMMARY OF CONOWINGO DAM WEST FISH LIFT OPERATIONS 2012 Michael L. Hendricks Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission 1735 Shiloh Rd. State College, Pa 16801 INTRODUCTION The shore-based trapping device at

More information

Environmental and Economic Impacts of Asian Carps in the Illinois River

Environmental and Economic Impacts of Asian Carps in the Illinois River Environmental and Economic Impacts of Asian Carps in the Illinois River Photo by Nerissa Michaels Greg G. Sass Illinois River Biological Station Illinois Natural History Survey Environmental and Economic

More information

Susquehanna River Walleye Fishery

Susquehanna River Walleye Fishery Susquehanna River Walleye Fishery 2008 The Susquehanna River is the largest tributary to the Atlantic Ocean lying completely within the United States. It originates from the outlet of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown,

More information

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FEDERAL AID JOB PROGRESS REPORTS F-20-52 2016 Lake Tahoe Rainbow Trout Study WESTERN REGION NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES DIVISION

More information

JOB 1, PART 2. SUMMARY OF CONOWINGO DAM WEST FISH LIFT OPERATIONS 2011

JOB 1, PART 2. SUMMARY OF CONOWINGO DAM WEST FISH LIFT OPERATIONS 2011 JOB 1, PART 2. SUMMARY OF CONOWINGO DAM WEST FISH LIFT OPERATIONS 2011 Michael L. Hendricks Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission 1735 Shiloh Rd. State College, Pa 16801 INTRODUCTION The shore-based trapping

More information

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FEDERAL AID JOB PROGRESS REPORTS F-20-52 2016 BOULDER RESERVOIR WESTERN REGION NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES DIVISION ANNUAL PROGRESS

More information

BLACK SEA BASS NORTH OF CAPE HATTERAS DEALER PERMIT ISSUE PAPER. June 12, 2008 (REVISED) (NOTE: proposed rule under construction, eff.

BLACK SEA BASS NORTH OF CAPE HATTERAS DEALER PERMIT ISSUE PAPER. June 12, 2008 (REVISED) (NOTE: proposed rule under construction, eff. BLACK SEA BASS NORTH OF CAPE HATTERAS DEALER PERMIT ISSUE PAPER June 12, 2008 (REVISED) (NOTE: proposed rule under construction, eff. July 1, 2008) I. ISSUE The requirement for licensed dealers to have

More information

Survival of razorback sucker stocked into the lower Colorado River

Survival of razorback sucker stocked into the lower Colorado River Survival of razorback sucker stocked into the lower Colorado River Trip Report 2-6: Palo Verde and Cibola Divisions 9-13 and 23-27 October 2006 Prepared by Brian R. Kesner and Joshua R. Campbell Submitted

More information

Ross Barnett Reservoir 2019

Ross Barnett Reservoir 2019 Ross Barnett Reservoir 19 Reel Facts Ryan Jones Fisheries Biologist Ryan.Jones@wfp.ms.gov (1) 89-31 General Information: Ross Barnett Reservoir is a 33, acre impoundment of the Pearl River. It consists

More information

Deer Hunting Frequently Asked Questions 2017 Deer Hunting Rules September 22, 2017

Deer Hunting Frequently Asked Questions 2017 Deer Hunting Rules September 22, 2017 What to Know for 2017 Season Structure Licenses and tags Bonus antlerless tags Crossbow regulations Public and private lands tags Tagging deer Harvest Registration Transportation of deer Chronic wasting

More information

Zebra mussels in a Nebraska Lake. Steven Schainost Nebraska Game and Parks 8 January 2009

Zebra mussels in a Nebraska Lake. Steven Schainost Nebraska Game and Parks 8 January 2009 Zebra mussels in a Nebraska Lake Steven Schainost Nebraska Game and Parks 8 January 2009 So where are we? Bellevue and Offutt AFB at center right, just south of Omaha Offutt Base Lake and environs Timeline

More information

BOGUS CREEK SALMON STUDIES 2002

BOGUS CREEK SALMON STUDIES 2002 BOGUS CREEK SALMON STUDIES 2002 BY: JEANNINE RICHEY California Department of Fish and Game KLAMATH RIVER PROJECT 303 SOUTH STREET YREKA, CALIFORNIA 96097 (530) 842-3109 California Department of Fish and

More information

AN ASSESSMENT OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENT HUNTER OPINION ON CROSSBOW USE

AN ASSESSMENT OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENT HUNTER OPINION ON CROSSBOW USE AN ASSESSMENT OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENT HUNTER OPINION ON CROSSBOW USE Survey mailed: December 2007 Data analyzed: January 2008 Division of Fish and Wildlife David Chanda, Director Larry Herrighty, Assistant

More information

Angling in Manitoba Survey of Recreational Angling

Angling in Manitoba Survey of Recreational Angling Angling in Manitoba 2005 Survey of Recreational Angling TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Angler Profile 2 Angling Effort 6 Catch and Harvest 9 Angling Expenditures 11 Bait Use 14 Canadian and Nonresident

More information

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Biologist Report. Wilmore Dam. Cambria County. May 2011 Trap Net, Electrofishing and Hoop Net Survey

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Biologist Report. Wilmore Dam. Cambria County. May 2011 Trap Net, Electrofishing and Hoop Net Survey Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Biologist Report Wilmore Dam Cambria County May 2011 Trap Net, Electrofishing and Hoop Net Survey Wilmore Dam is a 195 acre impoundment located in central Cambria County

More information