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+--- Thread: New Paddlefish Management Program Already Increasing Fishing Opportunities for Anglers (/showthread.php?tid=399288)
New Paddlefish Management Program Already Increasing Fishing Opportunities for Anglers - FishNews - 03-07-2008
An agreement between the City of Miami and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will mean better and cheaper fishing for paddlefish anglers in Miami's Riverview City Park.
At a recent meeting, the Miami City Council unanimously approved a proposal from the Wildlife Department to eliminate the City of Miami spoonbill permit that has, up to this point, been a requirement for paddlefish anglers in the park. With the city permit abolished, paddlefish anglers will only need an appropriate state fishing license and the Wildlife Department's free paddlefish permit. In return, the Wildlife Department will provide the City of Miami with $5,000, to be matched with up to $15,000 of Sport Fish Restoration funds, for increasing fishing and boating access in the area.
"This agreement comes as a result of the Wildlife Department's new paddlefish program," said Keith Green, paddlefish program coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "This is a major increase in opportunity for Oklahoma paddlefish anglers. They don't have to buy a permit from the City of Miami, and they can expect even better fishing access in the future. Improving and increasing fishing opportunities like this is only one of several important intended effects of the paddlefish program. So far, the program is working for anglers in exactly the way we had planned."
Mike Johnson, City of Miami parks and recreation supervisor, said the agreement benefits everyone involved, from the City of Miami to the Wildlife Department to the anglers who fish for paddlefish in the park.
"It's a win-win situation," Johnson said.
Green emphasized, however, that voluntary angler participation is important for the agreement to stay in place and for the paddlefish program to prosper.
"The City of Miami is going to look at the agreement on a yearly basis, and base future agreements on the success of the paddlefish program," Green said. "That means anglers need to participate. They need to go fishing for paddlefish and take advantage of the services provided by the paddlefish management program. "
The paddlefish management pilot program was established recently near the Twin Bridges area of the Neosho River and, as evidenced by the agreement between the Department and the City of Miami, is playing an important role in paddlefish management. The primary functions of the paddlefish research center are to collect important data for the Department's paddlefish management plan, process paddlefish meat for anglers and salvage paddlefish eggs. Funds derived from the program go back to the resource, which means better fishing in the future, along with projects such as improved fishing access, paddlefish management, angler education and more.
The Department's paddlefish management program has involved an extensive process of netting, weighing, measuring and marking paddlefish with metal tags on the front of the jaw before releasing them to be caught by anglers by way of snagging. Anglers who snag a tagged paddlefish are encouraged to report their catch to the Wildlife Department to not only help in the management of paddlefish in Oklahoma, but also to provide anglers with unique information about the individual fish they caught.
The center is open during prime paddlefish snagging months (approximately Feb. 15 - May 15), and anglers can bring their catch to the center for cleaning and processing. Additionally, anglers such as those at Miami's Riverview City Park also can call the paddlefish processing center to come pick up their paddlefish for processing. Anglers who take advantage of the service will take home meat from their own fish that has been safely cleaned and packaged.
The paddlefish research center is seasonally staffed by employees trained in proper handling and processing of fish products, and other research centers may be set up at future locations.
Paddlefish anglers are required to obtain a free paddlefish permit before fishing for paddlefish in Oklahoma. Each angler that obtains the permit will be assigned a number that must be attached to all paddlefish that are caught and kept. The permit system will provide clearer information about paddlefish anglers and help better manage paddlefish populations. The permit is annual, and the permit number can be used on every paddlefish tagged during that period. Permits can be obtained through any fishing license dealer or online by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com.
For more information about paddlefish angling, including regulations and hot fishing locations, consult the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.