Contents Introduction Program Personnel Warmwater Surveys Volunteer Angler Diary Program Warmwater Fish Species Warmwater Enhancement Program Reports

Volunteer Angler Diary Data Program Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries Reports in Adobe PDF Format Summary Report of Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries 2006 Summary Report of Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries 2005 Summary Report of Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries 2004 Summary Report of Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries 2003 Summary Report of Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries 2002 Summary Report of Warmwater Volunteer Angler Diaries 2001 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. This year, 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. Download Data Sheet Examples [PDF Format] 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 Fish Program/Warmwater Program 600 Capitol Way N. Olympia, WA 98501-1091 fishpgm@dfw.wa.gov