The Conservation Department continues to gather information from the season, now in its second year.

JEFFERSON CITY-Missouri's experimental hand-fishing season entered its second year June 1, with 26 people buying permits by opening morning. They have a month and a half to catch catfish without the aid of hooks, lines, poles or other equipment. The Missouri Department of Conservation continues to track hand-fishers' success as part of its ongoing effort to gather scientific data on catfish.

The experimental season runs from sunrise to sunset June 1 through July 15 in parts of three streams. These are:
* The Fabius River system from the mouth to the Highway 61 bridge and the South Fabius River in Marion County from the Highway 61 bridge upstream to Dunn Ford Access.
* The Mississippi River from the mouth of the Fabius River upstream to the mouth of the Des Moines River.
* That part of the St. Francis River that forms the boundary between Arkansas and Missouri.

Hand-fishing permits ($7) are available only from the Conservation Department's Central Office. The process of applying for and receiving a hand-fishing permit takes several days, so advance planning is necessary. The permits are available by calling (573) 522-4115, ext. 3553, or by writing to Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. In addition to the Hand-Fishing Permit, participants must buy a regular fishing permit.

Hand fishers may take up to five channel, blue or flathead catfish in the aggregate daily. A 22-inch minimum length limit applies to flathead and blue catfish. Hand-fishers may use only their feet and bare hands without the aid of hooks or other manmade devices. They are not allowed to possess fishing equipment, except stringers, while on designated hand-fishing waters or adjacent banks.

Only catfish may be taken by hand-fishing and only from natural objects or natural cavities. Fish may not be taken from manmade objects except those related to bona fide construction projects, such as bridges, docks, boat ramps and rock rip-rap. No part of any object may be disturbed or altered to harvest catfish by hand.

Gathering information about hand fishers' success will contribute to knowledge about catfish and how they are affected by different types of fishing. Hand fishers are required to report their catches within 10 days of the season closer July 15. They must send in a report at the end of the season even if they caught no fish or did not attempt to hand-fish during the season.

Of the 108 persons who purchased hand-fishing permits in 2005, 22 failed to submit reports. Those who did not send in reports are not eligible to receive hand-fishing permits this year.

Fifty-seven of the 86 hand-fishers who did submit reports said they went hand-fishing during the 2005 experimental season. They made 153 hand-fishing trips and caught a total of 30 catfish. Ninety-five percent of last year's reported hand-fishing trips occurred on the Little Fabius River. No hand-fishers reported trying their luck on the St. Francis River, despite the fact that this stream produced a 94-pound flathead catfish that set a state record in 1971.

The experimental season is part of a comprehensive, five-year study of catfish biology. The multi-faceted study includes flathead and blue catfish populations in streams in northern, western and central Missouri.

The first step in the study was to document the age and size of catfish in eight streams. This baseline information will enable biologists to learn how fish populations change in response to fishing pressure, including hand-fishing on selected streams. Last year biologists sampled more than 8,000 blue and flathead catfish and tagged more than 2,300 catfish.

Spawning behavior is included in the study. Male catfish normally guard eggs laid by females. Researchers will observe spawning behavior of flathead catfish. Another phase of the research will use radio transmitters to track catfish's seasonal movements.

One research tool the Conservation Department is using is very popular with anglers. Catfish have been fitted with tags, and anglers or hand-fishers who report catching a tagged fish receive a $25 reward. At the end of the year, those who returned tags are included in a drawing for four bonus rewards of $250 each. Last year anglers and hand-fishers returned 173 reward tags.

Tags must be turned in to receive rewards, but tags can be returned to anglers as keepsakes. Participating anglers and hand-fishers also receive letters telling what biologists know about the fish they caught. All tags should be returned to Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 368, Clinton, MO 64735.

-Jim Low-