Fishing for catfish in Pony Express Lake may reap reward

Pony Express Lake contains channel catfish that have been marked with reward tags worth from $10 to $100. The Missouri Department of Conservation is trying to find out what proportion of the channel catfish population is removed by anglers each year. This information will be used to ensure that the appropriate number of channel catfish fingerlings are stocked into the lake annually. The Department of Conservation stocks catfish fingerlings each fall into Pony Express Lake in order to maintain a good channel catfish fishery.

If you catch a tagged channel catfish, remove the tag and send it along with the following information to: Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 South College Avenue, Columbia, Missouri 65201. Please provide the date you caught the fish, whether you kept or released the fish, the length of the fish, and your name and address along with the tag. The value of the tag has been pre-determined and the tag must be examined by Department officials to send your reward. At your request, the tag will be returned to you.

The tagging study is part of a larger study of small-lake channel catfish populations across the state. Research biologist Paul Michaletz says "we hope to learn how many channel catfish should be stocked into lakes with varying levels of catfish harvest and water quality". Stocking too few catfish may result in poor fishing because of low numbers of catfish in the lake. Stocking too many catfish may result in an overabundance of small slow-growing catfish because catfish compete with each other for food. Proper stocking rates result in adequate numbers of fast-growing catfish that provide good fishing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation appreciates your help with this important study. Your cooperation by returning fish tags will help the Department achieve the goal of providing good fishing.