Page 14 - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Mar-Apr2023

ment of management strategies aimed at influencing quality bass
fisheries has been limited.”
Using data from more than 100 Oklahoma lakes, fisheries biol- WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM
ogists have found that about 80 percent of largemouth bass in
Oklahoma lakes are shorter than 16 inches. While reduced harvest
of large bass is beneficial, harvesting bass under 16 inches can
improve fisheries by reducing competition among bass, so indi-
viduals grow faster and larger.
With an abundance of smaller bass, biologists said there is
often no need for a minimum length limit.
While catch-and-release may have benefits under a narrow
set of conditions, harvest of smaller, more-abundant bass should
contribute to healthy habitats, thus providing anglers with higher
quality black bass fisheries.
And another reason to harvest more smaller bass is the fact
that these fish make good table fare. Oftentimes the smaller black
bass have less of a “fishy taste” than the larger bass, and the meat
is usually lighter and more tender.
The new harvest limits do not apply to the state’s rivers and
streams, Lake Texoma, or Doc Hollis Lake. And some other pub- FOCUSED OVERSIGHT
lic fishing waters have special area regulations that differ from To maintain focused oversight of black bass and related species,
the statewide bass limits. For example, black bass harvest is not the Wildlife Department established a Centrarchid Committee
allowed in all Close to Home Fishing waters. composed of 10 fisheries biologists with specialties ranging from
Now, it’s up to the state’s bass anglers. reservoirs to hatcheries. Together, they have more than 160 years
Fisheries biologists hope the catch-and-release mind-set can of experience in fisheries management. The Centrarchidae (sun-
be softened and that anglers will choose to harvest smaller black fishes) are a family of North American native freshwater fish that
bass. In addition to charting a course for improved fishing in the includes several game fish familiar to anglers such as smallmouth
future, it’s also a great way to tap into Oklahoma’s natural resourc- and largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Biologists will contin-
es and store away some food security in the freezer. ue to survey and monitor population trends, and develop man-
agement practices that better meet the needs and expectations
BLAKE PODHAJSKY/ODWC FOOD SAFETY
of Oklahoma anglers.

Some people are concerned about eating fish caught in
Oklahoma waters. The state Department of Environmental Quality
encourages Oklahomans to go fishing and enjoy eating the fish
they catch. However, some fish pose a risk of mercury contami-
nation. The general population, including men older than 15 and
women beyond child-bearing age, faces little risk in consuming
Oklahoma fish. These groups may to eat a variety of fish, including
predators such as black bass, as part of a healthy diet. DEQ offers
these general guidelines:
• Eat smaller, younger fish.
• Eat more varieties of fish.
• Eat fewer meals of predator fish such as bass, flathead cat-
fish, walleye, and saugeye.
• Women of child-bearing age and children 14 and younger
should consume no more than one meal per week of pred-
ator fish, which includes largemouth, smallmouth, spotted,
white, striped or hybrid bass, walleye, saug-
eye, and flathead catfish.
For complete details on fish consumption from
DEQ, scan the code.

12 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA