Very Interesting!

[TexomaOkie]

Check out the attached article and the study conducted on Blue Catfish in particular. The number of years these fish live is mind-boggling. The study results will definitely affect my perspective as it relates to the harvest of these fish, especially the big ones.

TexomaOkie

Biologists examine blue catfish populations

During a recent research project, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fisheries biologists collected a 24-year-old blue catfish. More surprising than the fish's impressive age was its diminutive weight. The catfish weighed only two pounds.

"That fish was not normal but, in short, we found that it takes a long time for a blue cat to grow very large. Generally speaking, it takes 13-16 years for a blue catfish to reach 10 pounds. They have a long lifespan compared to most Oklahoma fish, but they grow slowly," said Jeff Boxrucker, senior fisheries research biologist for the Wildlife Department. "We still have a lot to learn about blue catfish, but this research will help us better understand these great fish."

Biologists spent months gathering samples and analyzing data from blue catfish populations on seven Oklahoma lakes. However, all is not equal in the realm of blue cats. That 24-year-old, two-pound fish was caught in Lake Ellsworth in southwest Oklahoma, but this spring, biologists aged a 78-pound fish caught by an angler from Texoma that was 19 years old.

"Some fish, particularly blue catfish in certain lakes, just grow slower than others," Boxrucker said. "In our study we found that blue catfish grow faster in Texoma, Waurika, Grand and Keystone lakes. On the flip side, they grow relatively slower in Hugo, Ellsworth and Eufaula lakes."

Boxrucker and his fellow biologists will continue to study these unique fish in order to give fisheries managers the knowledge they need to make informed management decisions. In the meantime Boxrucker has one suggestion for anglers.

"Keep all the small blue cats that you can eat and the law allows. But consider releasing the really big fish. These trophy blues are a great resource for all anglers and because of their age they can be hard to replace," Boxrucker said.

For more information about blue catfish research in Oklahoma log on to wildlifedepartment.com and go to "Fishing," then click on "Fisheries Research Projects." gillman@odwc.state.ok.us

[Phil Lilley]

Coy- I edited your post since I posted the same notice already. But left the article you are referring to.