Paddlefish permit established to help manage fisheries and simplify tagging process

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have developed a new way to manage paddlefish while creating simpler tagging regulations for paddlefish anglers.

At its October meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule change that will require anglers 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.

“In the past, it has been a challenge to determine numbers of paddlefish anglers,” said Barry Bolton, fisheries chief for the Wildlife Department. “This permit system will give us a clearer picture of these anglers and help us better manage paddlefish populations.”

According to Bolton, the free permits will also make the paddlefish tagging process easier for anglers.

“Previously, anglers had to tag their paddlefish with personal information, including their first and last name, address and fishing license number. Now they will only be required to attach their paddlefish permit number to the fish,” Bolton said. “The permit is good for the whole year, and the permit number can be used on every paddlefish tagged during that period. That speeds up the tagging process and makes it less likely to make a mistake.”

At its meeting last month, the Commission approved an extensive plan for a pilot paddlefish research program scheduled to open in February. A paddlefish research and processing center will be built near the Twin Bridges area of the Neosho River and will play an important role in paddlefish management. The primary functions of the center will be collecting important data for the Department’s paddlefish management plan, processing paddlefish meat for anglers and salvaging paddlefish eggs.

Surveys performed in top paddlefishing locations in Oklahoma showed that anglers strongly supported the idea of a paddlefish research and processing center. About 99 percent of those surveyed said they would moderately or strongly support such a venture, and about 92 percent said they would likely participate by having their paddlefish processed at the center.

The center will be open during the paddlefish spring spawning run, and anglers will be able to bring their catch to the center for cleaning and processing. They will take home meat from their own fish that has been cleaned and packaged.

Paddlefish, which date back to the Jurassic Period, regularly weigh over 50 pounds, and anglers who have caught them say the action is better than deep-sea fishing.

In other business, the Commission recognized a host of Wildlife Department employees for tenure and excellence in service.

Larry Manering, chief of law enforcement for the Wildlife Department, presented Game Warden Jerry Henry with the “Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Outstanding Game Warden of the Year Award.” Henry is stationed in Sequoyah County and has been working for the Department for 23 years. A panel of past “Outstanding Game Warden of the Year Award” recipients recommended one of eight anonymous finalists from each law enforcement district to receive the award.

In addition, Jim Edwards, assistant chief of law enforcement for the Wildlife Department, was recognized for 25 years of service to the Department and sportsmen of the state; Jack Witt, district six chief of law enforcement, for 35 years of service; Todd Tobey, game warden supervisor, for 20 years of service; Gary Peterson, northeast region fisheries biologist, for 25 years of service; Ron Folks, wildlife biologist, for 35 years of service; and Kelly Roberson for 25 years of service as a game warden. Roberson recently accepted the position of lands and minerals coordinator for the Department.

Additionally, the Commission took no action after returning from executive session to discuss a pending investigation and possible litigation involving pollution from an active oil well located on the Osage West Wall Wildlife Management Area.

The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
            
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
 

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