Paddlefish fishing will return to the Missouri and Big Sioux
rivers for the first time since 1986, when the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources opens the season on March 1.
The paddlefish season had been closed on Missouri River in
1986 due to concerns that habitat loss, altered hydrology and migration
barriers created by reservoirs could jeopardize the population. In 1979, the
Iowa Geological Survey Bureau reported that 61,642 acres of habitat between
Sioux City and Hamburg was lost when the river was channelized.
Paddlefish
are one species that have demonstrated resilience to changes in the river.
Catch rates from netting surveys mirror results from other large Midwestern
rivers. Unfortunately, usable population estimates from mark and recovery
studies have eluded biologists. But that could change with help from anglers.
“This new season could provide us with enough angler
collected data of recaptured tagged fish to provide us with a population
estimate that we would have some level of confidence in. We encourage anglers
to report any tagged fish they catch,” said Van Sterner, fisheries biologist
for the Missouri River with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The tag is a small aluminum band around the fish’s lower
jaw. Each tag has a unique identification number, tagging agency information
and a phone number.
To participate, anglers will need a special Missouri and Big
Sioux River paddlefish license – limited to 950 resident and 50 nonresident –
that are on sale only from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31. A resident license sells for $22
and nonresident for $42. Anglers must also have a valid Iowa fishing license.
The Missouri and Big Sioux paddlefish season is March 1 to
April 15. Those season dates were selected to coincide with the increasing
discharge from the upstream federal reservoirs and when the fish are in their
prespawn migratory pattern. Catch rates from netting surveys are highest during
the spring rising discharge.
Snagging paddlefish on the Missouri River is different than
other rivers where paddlefish will concentrate in tail water areas.
“These fish are extremely migratory, traveling hundreds of
miles. They will try to get out of the current when they can so areas behind
wing dykes with slow moving, deep water will be places to target,” Sterner
said. “They don’t associate with the bottom like catfish, but will be suspended
so watch the electronics and if they are there, you should see them.”
The flood of 2011 created scour holes in the river that have
been popular with paddlefish and for anglers who can find them.
The Missouri River is a fast flowing river so anglers should
be prepared to use heavy weights – from one ounce on up to 4-4-1/2 ounces, a
medium-heavy to heavy rod at least six feet long and braided line of at least
50 pound test strength. Treble hooks can be no larger than 5/0 or measuring
more than 1-1/4 inches in length when two hook points are placed on a
ruler. It would also be wise to wear a
lifejacket while on the water.
The state record 107 pound paddlefish was caught in the
Missouri River in Monona County in 1981. Paddlefish is an ancient species. It
doesn’t have any bones and eats by straining zooplankton from the water. It
reaches maturity at 6 or 7 years of age and can live for 30 years or more.
The slot limit requiring the release of all 35-45 inch fish
protects the primary breeding stock. Most of the fish harvested will probably
below the slot limit. The firm white flesh of the paddlefish is excellent table
fare as long as the red meat near the skin is trimmed off.
The paddlefish license is required for the Missouri and Big
Sioux rivers, but not for the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers.
MEDIA CONTACT: Van Sterner, Fisheries Management Biologist,
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-249-1997.
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