2010 Trout Fishing Regulation Recommendations Fisheries Division Trout Management Program

Removal of the Sylamore Catch-and-Release (C&R) Area Would remove the catch-and-release regulation and tackle restriction currently in place on Bull Shoals Tailwater between Mt. Olive Access and Sylamore Access

Would remove the catch-and-release regulation and tackle restriction currently in place on Bull Shoals Tailwater between Mt. Olive Access and Sylamore Access

Removal of the Sylamore Catch-and-Release (C&R) Area Previous work conducted by AGFC indicated poor success of Sylamore C&R Area Area experiences high water temperatures in summer U of A study found that as water temperatures increased, fish either moved upstream or died

Previous work conducted by AGFC indicated poor success of Sylamore C&R Area

Area experiences high water temperatures in summer

U of A study found that as water temperatures increased, fish either moved upstream or died

Water Temperatures – Sylamore 2006

Tackle Use in Catch-and-Release Areas on Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters Would allow the use of artificial lures with multiple treble hooks in special regulation areas on the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. All hooking points required to be barbless. Based on an extensive review of scientific literature on hooking mortality and tackle restrictions in special regulations in other states. - post-release mortality with bait 40% - 60% - post release mortality with artificial lures and flies ≤ 10% - single, barbless more the exception than the rule

Would allow the use of artificial lures with multiple treble hooks in special regulation areas on the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. All hooking points required to be barbless.

Based on an extensive review of scientific literature on hooking mortality and tackle restrictions in special regulations in other states.

- post-release mortality with bait 40% - 60%

- post release mortality with artificial lures and flies ≤ 10%

- single, barbless more the exception than the rule

Tackle Use in Catch-and-Release Areas on Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters Revised original recommendation based on angler comments Benefits of proposed change - would open up catch-and-release areas to other anglers - would create consistent tackle restrictions in all special regulation areas on Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters

Revised original recommendation based on angler comments

Benefits of proposed change

- would open up catch-and-release areas to other anglers

- would create consistent tackle restrictions in all special regulation areas on Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters

Expansion of Norfork Catch-and-Release Area 2007 public meetings indicated a desire for increased size of trout - 69% of anglers in 2003 Trout Angler Survey said they like to fish where they know they have a chance to catch a trophy trout U of A study suggested low (39%) survival of trout in Norfork C&R area Management options put forward in September 2007 - decision made to await completion of second U of A study

2007 public meetings indicated a desire for increased size of trout

- 69% of anglers in 2003 Trout Angler Survey said they like to fish where they know they have a chance to catch a trophy trout

U of A study suggested low (39%) survival of trout in Norfork C&R area

Management options put forward in September 2007

- decision made to await completion of second

U of A study

Expansion of Norfork Catch-and-Release Area Angling effort on Norfork Tailwater approximately 3 times higher than any other trout water in AR - Norfork – 41,084 hrs/mile - Bull Shoals – 11,862 hrs/mile High (68%) artificial lure use already on Norfork Tailwater - compared to 33% on Bull Shoals Tailwater Low harvest of trout Higher growth rate on Norfork Tailwater

Angling effort on Norfork Tailwater approximately 3 times higher than any other trout water in AR

- Norfork – 41,084 hrs/mile

- Bull Shoals – 11,862 hrs/mile

High (68%) artificial lure use already on Norfork Tailwater

- compared to 33% on Bull Shoals Tailwater

Low harvest of trout

Higher growth rate on Norfork Tailwater