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Volunteer Angler Diary Data Program
The Volunteer Angler Diary Data program's primary objectives have been
to establish a database of catch information for bass and walleye from
a large cross-section of waters, and to improve communication and cooperation
between the Department and warmwater anglers. In 2000, the program was
expanded to collect information on all 6 of the warmwater species managed
under the warmwater enhancement bill including, largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, walleye, black crappie, tiger muskie and channel catfish.
Volunteer angler diary data is used in conjunction with biological sampling
and creel census information in order to monitor the condition of, and
assess future management options for, warmwater fish populations in Washington
State.
Participants are issued a waterproof 6 ring notebook with a set of removable
data sheets, along with instructions on how to complete them. Volunteers
agree to complete a data sheet for each fishing trip taken during the
year for the six warmwater species. The anglers are to complete the sheets
regardless of their fishing success.
Volunteers anglers are asked to record their name, the date, water being
fished, county, target species, number of each species caught, the length
of each fish caught to the nearest quarter inch and the total number of
hours fished for each species. Anglers are also being asked to record
whether the fish are retained or released.
Completed data sheets are then returned to the Department of Fish and
Wildlife at the end of each year. New data sheets are automatically mailed
to each volunteer returning completed forms. Volunteer Angler Diary Data
is then entered into a computer database. Catch summaries, including catch
rates and hours fished, along with length frequency distribution graphs
for each species are produced and put into an annual report.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
If you are a warmwater angler and are interested in participating
in the Volunteer Angler Diary Data Program, please send your name, address
and phone number, club affiliated with (if any), along with waters you
most often fish and the species you typically fish for, to:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife |
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