Page 40 - March/April 2020 - Outdoor Oklahoma

USFWS biologists collect female and ly to ensure their survival, said Sarah
male paddlefish from Oklahoma Spangler of USFWS. KeLLY AdAMS/odWC
waters. Selection of the collec- “We collect broodstock during the
tion site is informed by statewide coldest month of the year because
genetics research completed by the the colder the temperature, the more
Department, with the goal of match- oxygen is in the water, and that is
ing or maximizing the genetic integ- better for the fish. We also add salt to
rity of the source and destination the transportation tanks to replace
waters. Once captured, the fish are some of the electrolytes the fish may
weighed, sexed and tagged, then are have lost due to stress.”
carefully transported to the Tishomingo At the Tishomingo hatchery, the
National Fish Hatchery in a special truck collected paddlefish are placed in
equipped with a large tank, water and outdoor ponds, and a waiting game
oxygen. From the moment the fish begins. Paddlefish spawn when
are collected, biologists work diligent- specific environmental conditions

KeLLY AdAMS/odWC

38 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA