The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDR) is tagging 500 legal-sized black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) on three rivers in central and northern Indiana as part of a new research project. Anglers who catch tagged bass can earn $5, $10 or $25 by reporting their catches and returning tags to IDNR researchers.
IDNR biologists are tagging black bass in the West Fork White River (Madison, Hamilton, and Marion counties), Eel River (Wabash, Miami, and Cass counties), and St. Joseph River (St. Joseph and Elkhart counties) during the late summer and fall.
The research project will help biologists learn more about angler catch rates and fish movement in these rivers. Information gained from anglers reporting their tagged catches will help us better manage these species.
Tagged bass do not have to be kept to receive a reward. Anglers may just remove the tag and release the fish. Tags must be returned to the IDNR to receive a reward.
The project is a collaboration between Indiana DNR, Indiana Wildlife Federation, Indiana Smallmouth Alliance, Reel Women/Reel Men of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Fly Casters, Manchester University, and St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers to promote a healthy Indiana black bass fishery.
To learn more about the project, please visit: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/7709.htm