07-15-2008, 11:10 AM
Frankfort, Kentucky - Approximately 1,000 blue catfish in Taylorsville Lake are being tagged over the next two weeks as researchers hope to better gauge the impact of angling on this species.
<br>"We're trying to figure out how many blue catfish are being caught, the size of the fish being caught, how many are being kept and what the anglers are using to catch them," said Fisheries Biologist Chris Hickey, a researcher who is heading the project for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.<br>
<br>Fish tagging will begin July 8. Each catfish will receive a bright yellow tag placed on its back. Tagged fish will range in size from 10 inches to 30 inches or more.<br>
<br>Each tag will contain the department's toll-free telephone number, 1-800-858-1549, and research numbers. Anglers should retain tags when they clean their catch, then call the telephone number with information about their fish. Anglers who do not keep their tagged catfish should clip the tag and call in the numbers. The tagging study will continue for at least a year.<br>
<br>Taylorsville Lake is a 3,050-acre reservoir located in Spencer, Anderson and Nelson counties. It has received stockings of blue catfish since 2002.<br>
<br>The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.7 billion annually. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
<br>"We're trying to figure out how many blue catfish are being caught, the size of the fish being caught, how many are being kept and what the anglers are using to catch them," said Fisheries Biologist Chris Hickey, a researcher who is heading the project for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.<br>
<br>Fish tagging will begin July 8. Each catfish will receive a bright yellow tag placed on its back. Tagged fish will range in size from 10 inches to 30 inches or more.<br>
<br>Each tag will contain the department's toll-free telephone number, 1-800-858-1549, and research numbers. Anglers should retain tags when they clean their catch, then call the telephone number with information about their fish. Anglers who do not keep their tagged catfish should clip the tag and call in the numbers. The tagging study will continue for at least a year.<br>
<br>Taylorsville Lake is a 3,050-acre reservoir located in Spencer, Anderson and Nelson counties. It has received stockings of blue catfish since 2002.<br>
<br>The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.7 billion annually. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.