Trout
Watchers
Posted:
4/16/03
|
| Participants
in the “Trout Watcher’s” program practice
removing otoliths at the Lake Charles workshop on 2/11/03. |
Spotted
seatrout is by far the most sought after fish by Louisiana
coastal anglers. Fishermen pursuing spotted seatrout from
throughout Louisiana and other states pump millions of new
dollars into the local economy through the purchases of boats,
fuel, tackle, etc. In the years 1999, 2000, and 2001, Louisiana
coastal anglers landed an average of 13.6 million spotted
seatrout annually (Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics
Survey).
Under
a new program called Louisiana Trout Watchers, biologists
with the LSU AgCenter's Sea Grant Program, the Louisiana Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the LSU Coastal Fisheries Institute
have enlisted anglers to help in gathering information on
large speckled trout. While much is known about the biology
of the fish, age and growth data on big trout are still somewhat
sketchy. Some 6-pound and larger fish are genetically fast-growing
3-year old fish and some are 8 to 9-year old fish. Learning
more about the make-up of the population of big fish is the
goal of the Louisiana Trout Watchers Program.
The idea
for the program emerged when biologists with the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and LSU AgCenter/Sea
Grant noticed a gap in data on large (>25”) seatrout
although anglers frequently land these large fish. The program
will try to accumulate the date to clear up this discrepancy.
Two training
workshops were held in February 2003, during which LDWF and
LSU AgCenter partnered and trained 40 volunteer anglers to
measure, sex and remove otoliths from these large trout to
fill the data void. This project gives anglers a stake in
the fish of deep interest and while providing for an excellent
teaching opportunity. Participants learned about life history,
biology and management of spotted seatrout in Louisiana.
Back
to Main
