Angler Recognition Program Begins January 1, 2007

By DAVID RAINER

Arguments about who caught the largest fish in a certain body of water in Alabama will never end, but a program set to be implemented on Jan. 1 could reduce the number of those disputes.

The Fisheries Section of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division will unveil its Angler Recognition Program, which will highlight the achievements of freshwater fishermen, as well as maintain records in three categories – the state’s 43 reservoirs, 20 state public fishing lakes and private ponds.

“The program has been available in the past through recognition of state records,” said Stan Cook, Chief of the Fisheries Section. “What we’re doing is expanding it. Now there are several ways of being recognized for angling achievement. We wanted to get more anglers involved, to encourage fishing by recording a memorable catch.”

Cook said the expanded records program will start with black bass (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and redeye bass) with the intent to include other species later.

“We want to introduce the program through black bass,” he said. “If we’re comfortable with that, we’ll expand it to other species as well. We anticipate a lot of calls at our district offices. February, March and early April seem to be the months for the big bass, so we’ll learn from that and go from there.”

The good news for anglers is that there is more to the program than records. Anglers can be recognized for catching a certain size fish. The size of the fish will determine whether the angler receives a Master or Trophy designation. Plus, the Master and Trophy recognition won’t be limited to black bass. It will also include black and white crappie; striped, white and hybrid bass; blue, channel and flathead catfish; redear and bluegill sunfish; walleye and sauger.

Damon Abernethy, the reservoir management biologist in charge of the program, said the achievement levels could be different for each body of water.

“We thought about just one level for Master and one for Trophy, but trying to do it statewide just wouldn’t work too well,” Abernethy said. “One weight wouldn’t apply to all lakes in the state. Just for an example, the Master might be eight pounds and Trophy level is 10 pounds. It’s not going to be easy to earn these awards.

“This is something the fishermen have wanted for a long time – particularly keeping lake records. It gets to be a pretty big task for all the species. As far as lake records are concerned, we’re going to go with just black bass. As soon as we get that established, we’re going to look at other species.”

For a while, anglers will find it fairly easy to add their names to the lake records ledger.

“Almost all of those are vacant,” Abernethy said. “The only ones in there now are former state records. We’re going to be pretty busy to start with. That’s the reason we’re going to start with black bass.”

For the Master and Trophy certifications, an application form must be filled out and returned to Abernethy (address below). Applications will be available online at http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/record/c/mt.pdf and at all WFF district offices and larger sporting goods stores.

All fish must be caught from Alabama waters. Anglers must possess a valid Alabama fishing license (anglers under 16 and over 65 are exempt from that rule). The application, which must be completed in full and witnessed, must be returned within 90 days of the catch along with a photograph with a side view of fish next to ruler or yardstick. The photo must be of high enough quality to determine which species it is. Anglers are also urged to include a second photo of angler with fish to be posted on www.OutdoorAlabama.com. A photocopy of the angler’s fishing license, where applicable, must also be included.

“On the back of the application, there is a section for catch statistics,” Abernethy said. “We encourage them to fill that out. This will be more of use to the fishermen. It will be questions like what depth the fish was caught, fishing blowdowns or creek channels, lure selection, moon phase – statistics on when big  fish are caught – those things that might help someone become a better fisherman.”

For the Master and Trophy certification, fish may also be presented for recognition by length for those anglers who prefer to catch and release

“The lengths will correspond with weights,” Abernethy said. “For instance, an 8-pound bass is 23 inches and a 10-pounder is 25 inches for largemouths.”

In the lake records category, private ponds will be one category while each of the 43 reservoirs and 20 state public fishing lakes will be separate. The application process for lake records is also considerably more stringent.

“The minimum we’ll accept for a lake record corresponds with either the master or trophy levels, depending on the body of water,” Abernethy said. “The lakes on the fertile chains like the Coosa and Tennessee, most will be trophy level for a minimum. The less fertile chains, like the Tallapoosa, will be master level.

“The biggest difference between the lake records and the master and trophy certifications is the lake record must be verified by a fisheries biologist. Any district office should have certified scales by the time the program goes into effect. Also, lake record applications have to be notarized as an official document.”

Abernethy also said that line-class records recognized by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) will be accepted, but an application must still be submitted for each fish.

Anglers whose applications are approved will receive certificates suitable for framing as well as decals for their boat or truck. Each angler will be recognized in the B.A.I.T. (Bass Anglers Information Team) report. The catch statistics will also be published in the B.A.I.T. report. Certificates and decals will be mailed quarterly.

The new program also includes what bass fishermen would consider the ultimate in their sport – the Black Bass Grand Slam.

“Any angler who qualifies in either the master or trophy level for all four species of black bass will receive the Black Bass Grand Slam plaque,” Abernethy. “That’s going to be quite an accomplishment.”

All applications must be mailed to:

Damon Lee Abernethy
Reservoir Management Biologist
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
64 N. Union St., Suite 551
Montgomery, AL 36130

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