While the summer months are an important part of the growing season for world-class paddlefish in Oklahoma rivers and reservoirs, the warm water temperatures can add additional stress when the fish are caught and released. Historically, snagging for paddlefish was only done in springtime when swelling rivers inspired the species to migrate upstream to spawn, making them vulnerable to snag anglers lining the river banks. With the increasing usage of boats and sonar equipment to locate and target paddlefish, the traditionally springtime “season” for paddlefish snagging expanded into late fall/early winter when the fish moves into pre-spawn, upper-reservoir areas. Recent adoption of high-resolution sonar technology has allowed for the targeting of large paddlefish in summer months, when they were traditionally difficult to locate.

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When any fishing opportunities are expanded, it is ODWC’s responsibility to ensure that it is done responsibly and sustainably. Therefore, we’d like to share with you some information on concerns with summer catch and release of paddlefish, how to minimize stress on the fish, and how you can help.

First, here’s a quick lesson on paddlefish biology and the ecology of Oklahoma reservoirs. Paddlefish breathe through a technique called “ram ventilation” and are constantly in motion so they can get oxygenated water to their gills. They do not maintain territories, seek cover, or interact with their habitat like many common sportfishes. They are a pelagic (midwater) species, and the depth at which they are swimming is actively selected because it provides ideal zooplankton resources, temperature, or dissolved oxygen. In summer months, the reservoir depths at which a paddlefish can find their ideal conditions may be restricted due to the presence of warm but oxygenated surface water and cooler deep waters with little to no dissolved oxygen. As this layer of adequate temperature and oxygen narrows (aka the “oxygen-temperature squeeze”), paddlefish stress increases and they are susceptible to stress-induced mortality. Similar stressors can exist in a tailwater, although the circumstances are a bit different. Another interesting biological note is that paddlefish are primitive fish with a primitive air bladder (used for buoyancy). They don’t have the ability to actively regulate their buoyancy with small adjustments in the way that other species do. Paddlefish are negatively buoyant because their large rostrum (paddle) provides lift while they are swimming. When paddlefish get stressed or confined, one of the symptoms of their stress is an expanded air bladder. This makes it difficult for them to orient themselves and to find the ideal depth where temperature and oxygen are appropriate.

This background information is important to consider when snagging paddlefish in summer, but you can help minimize the stress on paddlefish snagged and released. Paddlefish snagging is legal year-round in Oklahoma (please see the fishing regs for specific details). Regardless of whether an angler chooses to harvest a paddlefish in winter, spring, summer, or fall, we regulate sustainability through harvest limits (individual annual limit; daily limit) and we strive to provide maximum opportunities for paddlefish snagging statewide.

Here are some tips for safe handling and low-impact snagging that should help enhance survival of paddlefish caught and released at any time of the year, but especially summer. We hope that anglers and guides will practice these techniques and philosophies for all paddlefish snagged, even if they are harvested for the daily limit.

Be quick. Here are some tips to be more efficient.

• Minimize the time to landing, hook removal, and release.
• Don’t cast a line until you’re equipped to land the fish.
• Think about where the fish will go if hooked (i.e. downstream if fishing a river) and where you can intercept it. Is the path clear? Don’t expect to reel the fish upstream against the current.
• Think about ways to safely remove the hook without removing the fish from the water. Don’t forget about your own safety, too.
• If multiple anglers are fishing together and one hooks a fish, the others should retrieve their lines. Never try to double-hook a fish.
• Consider bringing the boat to the fish, when possible.

Immediate Release. Know what this actually means.

• Any paddlefish taken into possession or restrained are considered “kept.”
• If you have no intention to keep a fish, then please release it immediately.
• We understand paddlefish are awesome and you probably want to take pictures. Please do this quickly and sparingly to help minimize the time out of water. Try not to take pics of every fish. Have the camera and photographer ready beforehand. Try taking pics of the fish while it’s still in the water to minimize stress.
• We know you’re curious what your fish weighs, but you shouldn’t be weighing fish that you plan to release. Please never weigh a paddlefish by hanging it from the jaws, mouth, or gills unless you plan to harvest the fish. Restraining a fish to weigh it would technically count as “taking into possession.”

Hug a Paddlefish. Here are some tips for safe lifting and handling of paddlefish.

• Never, ever lift a paddlefish by the jaw, mouth, or gills. If these parts get injured, it can mean a slow death for the fish.
• Paddlefish are heavy. Get someone to help you lift it if you need to. One person can grasp the rostrum (paddle) and a second can grasp the tail. For really large fish, a third person can help in the middle. If you don’t have enough people to lift the fish safely, then you shouldn’t even remove it from the water.
• When posing for pictures, it will be easier on you and on the fish if you remember to #HugAPaddlefish. Grasp the fish under the belly, and lift with your legs (or pose for the pic while sitting).

Be aware of stress indicators and resuscitate when necessary. If you are seeing these things, it may be time to change your techniques or quit snagging for the day.

• Belly-up. The paddlefish is unable to right itself and continues to roll over on its back. This is a definite sign of stress and many fish cannot recover from this.
• The fish appears to be worn-out after a vigorous or extended landing time. The fish is upright, but remaining at the surface, slowly swimming, or not moving. After a brief recovery, the fish should be able to swim away upright on its own.
• Resuscitation may be required. Paddlefish need water flowing over their gills, so to enhance recovery, you may need to physically move the fish through the water. You can gently move it back and forth (while upright) or slowly move the boat forward (with the fish facing forward next to the boat) using a trolling motor (or very slowly with the outboard).
• If you intended to release a fish, but it doesn’t seem to be recovering despite your best efforts, then you should consider taking responsibility and harvesting the fish (assuming you haven’t yet reached your annual harvest limit).

Paddlefish anglers can be advocates for the species, for the world-class paddlefish snagging opportunities available in our great state, and for the safe handling and release of these fish so we can together help ensure the continued sustainability of paddlefish snagging in Oklahoma. If you ever have questions or concerns, observe anything interesting about paddlefish, or would simply like to discuss any related topics, please feel free to reach out to one of the following ODWC fisheries personnel:      

Brandon Brown, Paddlefish Research Center Coordinator; (918) 686-3673; brandon.brown@odwc.ok.gov

Jason Schooley, Senior Fisheries Biologist; (918) 504-0023; jason.schooley@odwc.ok.gov

Colby Gainer, Paddlefish Biologist; (918) 533-7633; colby.gainer@odwc.ok.gov