Page 46 - 2020 Jan/Feb Outdoor Oklahoma

eric brown/reaDers' Photo showcase 2019 vested, and overall satisfaction of
Oklahoma stream anglers. In addi-
tion, researchers will be able to bet-
ter understand eastern Oklahoma
stream anglers.
Understanding the quality of a
fishery as it relates to angler effort,
catch of sport fish, overall catch
rates, species variety, and harvest
numbers is needed to better man-
age these resources while also meet-
ing angler demands.
Project results will help the Wildlife
Department provide sustainable fish-
ing opportunities for stream anglers,
Streams and rivers provide habitat to a and economic data will allow an estimated value to be placed on Oklahoma
variety of fish species while also extending
recreational opportunity to anglers. Monitoring stream fisheries, which is important in making stream flow decisions.
how many anglers fish in Oklahoma’s stream Project investigators continue to survey anglers (more than 100 sur-
and rivers, and estimating how many fish veyed to date) and collect data from tagged bass being reported by anglers.
they catch helps ODWC evaluate current
management practices and make better Tagged bass reports have been low; only three anglers reported harvesting
management decisions. a tagged bass. Project F-100-R-1: Effects

branDon brown/oDwc of Sucker Gigging
on Fish Populations
in Oklahoma Scenic
Rivers.
Project Leader: Daniel Shoup and
Shannon Brewer, Oklahoma State
University.
Many species of suckers are eco-
logically and recreationally import-
ant despite not being considered
sport fish in most states.
Gigging suckers is a popular and
culturally significant pastime in
the Ozark Highlands. However, the
effect gigging has on population
dynamics of suckers is not well
understood. Therefore, research is
needed to determine safe levels of
sucker harvest in order to ensure
The river redhorse is one of several suckers sustainability of sucker gigging while protecting sensitive aquatic systems.
found in Oklahoma’s rivers and streams. This study focuses on learning more about what habitats are most
It specializes in eating freshwater clams,
mussels, and snails which it “vacuums” off the important for adult fish during the spring spawn, and what habitats are
bottom. It is also one of six North American used by young fish. Project investigators will also determine the population
fish that will eat invasive zebra mussels. size, age structure and total mortality rate for common sucker species.
This information is important for the Wildlife Department to bet-
ter understand sucker populations of northeastern Oklahoma. Study
results will inform a sustainable recreational fishery approach to bet-
ter managing the ecological health of Ozark streams. Sucker tagging for
mark-and-recapture population estimates is ongoing in this river system.
Project investigators are spending many hours processing otoliths (bone-
like structures of the ear) for estimating ages of the various sucker spe-
cies collected during gigging tournaments.

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