“Our goal is to provide the best fishing opportunities possible for our anglers,” said Jake Norman TPWD fisheries biologist, who is co-leading the study. “I think studying the actual behavior of bass and passing this information on to the anglers is a great way to do that.”
This unique study uses radio transmitters implanted in the fish to track their movement and habits on both lakes to see if increased traffic and angling on the lakes has influenced their behavior. The study began in May and a total target number of 50 fish are slated to be tracked. Researchers plan to track 20 fish on Toledo Bend and 30 on Lake Fork. The expected life span of the transmitters is 1.5 to 2 years so researchers anticipate it may take up to 2.5 years to complete the study and generate the results.
“Historically, most studies were designed with the intent of gaining knowledge to better manage a fish population,” said Todd Driscoll TPWD fisheries biologist, who is also co-leading the study. “This specific telemetry study is focused on fish behavior and how that information can directly help anglers and potentially guide them in how they approach fishing the lake.”
Lake Fork went through its worst drought on record from 2010-15, resulting in thousands of acres of lost shallow water habitat. The reservoir filled in 2015, leading to thousands of acres of newly flooded shallow habitat and strong year classes. However, the high catch rates of smaller fish from 2015-2018 didn’t seem to translate into more fish in the 16- to 24-inch range in 2019.
Full story: https://blueribbonnews.com/2020/07/texa ... ing-study/
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