Metro DNR Catfish Journal

[Scott M]

Read a nice article by Joe Albert in the May 29 Outdoor News about the information gathered from angler journals.

There was also a short segment about catfish anglers:

Quote:

Catfish anglers have what is, from a fish management perspective, a pesky habit of fishing under cover of darkness. As a result, the DNR has some creel survey data on catfish harvest and pressure, but Joel Stiras, a fisheries specialist in the [DNR] agency's East Metro office, believes it underestimates what's actually being caught.

As part of a metro-area catfish project that's set to begin this summer, Stiras is asking catfish anglers to keep track of their catches.

"My big interest in doing a catfish [angler diary program ]is our past creel surveys, I think, by and large miss a large portion of catfish anglers since most of them fish at night," Stiras said.

He'll ask for a variety of information, including the water body they're fishing, the time they catch it, whether or not it's got a tag, and as precise of a location as possible. Stiras isn't looking for information on demographics, he's more interested in the fish themselves.

"I'm trying to keep it short and sweet to get as many people doing the diaries as possible," he said. "It's all about collecting a big pool of data that's hopefully as accurate of data as I can get."

I'm reading between the lines a bit, but it would seem as though Mr. Stiras could use a few avid anglers to help with this study. I know we have a few cat guys that fish the East Metro side of the Mississippi and of course the Croix, and it sounds like the diaries haven't started yet, so it wouldn't be too late. Perhaps giving the East Metro office a call or sending an email would be prudent.

[Shack]

Mr. Albert sure can have everything I am privy to

If he can handle it

Thanks Scott for the heads up. I am sure this summer will hold some good info for the study.

Catfish are slowly but surely heading to the top of the sport fish side and this proof of it. Just today on FM I noticed the Catfish forum was being viewed more than any other species forum at one time. Over 50 people .

Flats and channels deserve the respect. They will get it soon!

[wooduck26]

I would give them the info I have....I log every catfish outting.