Ozark Hellbender Study Agfc Latest Video

[LittleRedFisherman]

[bfishn]

Thanks! Kind of sad that the 11P is considered the only remaining AR population. Only 25 yrs ago there was a pretty good number over here in War Eagle creek. I caught 3-4 in the 12-14" range back then (cared for and released). I don't fish there much anymore, but I haven't heard of one there in a long time.

[LittleRedFisherman]

It is sad really. The spring river used to have a good population of them, this guy stated in a video they did a few years ago, but he said there all but extinct in that river now. Guess all the beer cans on the bottom don't do them any good.

[Quillback]

Future sounds a bit grim as it appears habitat loss is a factor in the decline. But on the positive side, maybe they can use the captive breeding program to re-introduce them back into the streams they have disappeared from. I wonder if they were ever in the Buffalo river?

[Ham]

I'd dearly love to see one in the wild.

QB, I doubt they were ever in the Buffalo. It seems like cool water is required for them. If I remember correctly, they only absorb oxygen through their skin. Cooler water can carry more oxygen than warm. They are also very likely to absorb any toxins in the water into their body. They need CLEAN, cool, heavily oxygenated water.

Ultimately, they may have to restrict access to certain areas of the upper parts of these spring fed systems. I think it would also help if they put some reasonable restrictions on streamside land owners. Ie you can't let you cattle beat down the banks. You cant plow to withing feet of the stream bank, you can't gravel mine and ruin the stream.

You would think owning land along some of the magical rivers we have in our area would make you value you them more than some ppl apparently do. I hate that folks chase the almighty dollar to the detriment of the creeks and rivers.

[Riverwhy]

Hellbenders are certainly difficult to completely understand. The prevailing research appears to support clear cool water with plenty of dissolved oxygen. My most consistent (accidental) catch has come from a couple of deep slow holes in a relatively warm water ozark stream. The other spot that my family has caught several has been in the very upper ends of the lake. I have intentionally been a bit vague because I really would like to see this specie hang on and grow in our natural settings.

[Gavin]

Don't tell where you find them. Serious about that. They are rare and folks will poach, and sell them.

[laker67]

Good advice Gavin, I took it out.

[Greasy B]

When I was young we caught a lot of Hellbenders in Maline creek where it flows through Ferguson.