of some TU related folks capturing tagged fish and missing out on collection prizes we bring you a note from ODFW on some tagged trout...with some prizes....
Anglers asked to report tagged Empire Lakes trout
April 19, 2016
ROSEBURG, Ore – Empire Lakes anglers have a chance of taking home a
$50 VISA gift card if they land a specially tagged rainbow trout.
Empire Lakes is a popular coastal rainbow trout fishery,
and ODFW biologists need anglers to help them keep it that way by
reporting tagged fish they catch.
Fisheries biologist Gary Vonderohe said ODFW is tagging
1,700 hatchery rainbows through June. He asks anglers to report tags on
fish they catch even if they don’t harvest them.
Fish with a specially marked four-digit tag number will
net the angler a $50 VISA gift card when the angler brings it to the
Charleston ODFW Field Office. All other tags can be reported by calling
the field office.
“We stock a lot of trout here, and we want to make sure
we’re giving anglers a quality fishery to enjoy. Tag reporting helps us
know how many fish are being caught and what size of fish provides the
best fishery for the anglers,” Vonderohe said.
The Empire Lakes tag reward project costs about half of a
traditional angler creel survey, saving ODFW $5,000 in this case.
Vonderohe said he will get generally the same information with the
exception of angler effort.
ODFW stocks 40,000 rainbow trout each year in Empire
Lakes. This year, 1,600 legal and 100 trophy trout are being tagged,
with about 130 of those specially marked for a gift card.
Anglers who harvest a trout with a specially marked tag
can visit the Charleston Field Office at 63538 Boat Basin Drive daily
between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to collect their gift card. All other tags can
be reported to ODFW at 541-888-5515.
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| This tagged rainbow trout will be released into Empire Lakes, helping biologists understand harvest data. ODFW photo |
And to Terry Turner [esteemed CRTU Treasurer and OCTU Council Chair] South Twin Lakes outing is coming up! Don't forget to check for tags & contests....
