Turbidity negatively affects fisheries. It reduces light penetration and reduces the production of algae that is the foundation of the food web. Eventually the fine silt particles that make water turbid settle out smothering organisms that live on the bottom, turning hard bottom areas into soft muck, and eventually filling in reservoirs. […]
Bowfin are easily recognized by the flattened head, continuous dorsal fin over two-thirds of the back and rounded tail. […]
Is there is an avid angler who hasn’t wondered about the effects of outboard motors, trolling motors or even the sounds of fishing on fish? […]
Mississippi’s flood-control reservoirs — Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada — provide outstanding crappie fishing. But like crappie fisheries everywhere, the quality of the fishing in any one of these lakes varies widely from year to year. […]
Mississippi’s flood-control reservoirs — Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada — have developed a national reputation for outstanding crappie fishing. But crappie populations in these lakes, like crappie populations everywhere, are very cyclic, with one or two strong year classes followed by several years of weaker year classes. […]
Following up on anglers’ complaints of declining bass fishing, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources fishery biologists found fast-growing, healthy largemouth bass but low abundance of young fish. […]
Shad are the predominant forage for all fish-eating game fish in Mississippi waters. The shad spawn will start this month, signaling the new crop of this essential forage fish. […]
Have you heard the term “energy crises?” We are reminded of limits to energy when gas prices jump a quarter per gallon (energy for our vehicles) or grocery prices soar a couple hundred dollars a year above what we spent last year (energy for our bodies). […]
As I write this column, it’s late December. It’s been the coldest early winter I can remember, and the forecast doesn’t look any better. As much as I like winter fishing for the solitude and the chance for a big fish, it’s going to take a few more degrees and some sunshine to get me fired up about hitching the boat and heading out. Time to reflect. […]
I hear anglers talk a lot about how a fish’s metabolism slows in cold water, that they eat infrequently or that it takes a slow presentation because the fish can’t swim fast. […]
If you have been following this column, you might remember I discussed catfish growth in October and November. The September column introduced Larry Pugh, the new chief of fisheries for Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. […]
Last month, I discussed the importance of food supply and temperature to one of Mississippi’s more-popular sportfish — the catfish. […]
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