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2001 produces five new state-record fish
A 115-pound alligator gar topped the year's records. JEFFERSON CITY -- 2001 was a year of record for several Missouri anglers. The Missouri Department of Conservation certified five state fishing records this year. The Conservation Department recognizes state-record catches in two categories -- "Pole, Line and Lure" and "Alternative Methods." The year's first record catch was an "Alternative Methods" catch. Shawn Jones of Montgomery snagged a 75-pound bighead carp at Lake of the Ozarks in March. A 9-pound, 3-ounce spotted gar taken with bow and arrow in May put O'Fallon resident Jason Rhodes in the record books. That fish also was taken at Lake of the Ozarks. June was a good month to catch big fish. Queen City resident James Michael Dockery reeled in a 4-pound shovelnose sturgeon from the Des Moines River June 3 to establish a pole-and-line record for the species. Truman Lake produced a new gizzard shad record June 5 when Johnny Lee Ash of Windsor caught a 1-pound 6-ounce specimen on pole and line. David M. Smith, Perryville, made a new entry in the record book by catching a 115-pound, 2-ounce alligator gar. He took the fish from the Headwater Diversion Channel with archery tackle. Two catches from Missouri waters set National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame world angling records in 2001. Richard J. Hayden set a Division 2 fly-fishing record in March for reeling in a 7-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass at Perry County Lake. Darrell Taylor captured a Division 1 catch-and-release record for a 17-inch spotted bass hooked at the Lake of the Ozarks. Anglers whose sizable catches don't quite measure up to record standards can get recognition from the Conservation Department through the Master Angler Program. Anglers who catch fish that meet minimum requirements for eligible species receive certificates acknowledging their exceptional catches. To receive details of how to certify state-record catches or participate in the Master Angler program, contact: Fisheries Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or visit the Conservation Department web site www.missouriconservation.org. To learn how to qualify for a record with the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, contact: Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, Box 33, Hall of Fame Drive, Hayward, Wisc. 54843, 715/634-4440. - Arleasha Mays - |
JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri has refused a request from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to stop fishing in Missouri's state parks.
Douglas Eiken, director of state parks for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, says he learned of PETA's request Dec. 5 after the Norfolk, Va. based animal-rights group faxed a letter to DNR Director Steve Mahfood. The letter, which also was faxed directly to state parks, came from Dan Shannon, coordinator of PETA's "Fishing Hurts" campaign. PETA sent the same letter to state parks officials in Kentucky and Louisiana.
"The violent process of fishing and its consequences do not complement the peace and tranquility of a state park," wrote Shannon. "Missouri state parks have already made the compassionate choice to ban hunting, and we are asking you to take the next step. Fishing is just hunting in the water. The tide is turning on sportfishing with the widespread recognition of the sentience of fish and the desire to live a more compassionate, less harmful life. After reading the enclosed materials, we hope you will make the decision to ban fishing . . . "
Replying for Mahfood, Eiken told PETA that DNR will not stop fishing in state parks. "The Missouri state park system has a proud tradition of serving the people of Missouri and visitors to our state with places to explore nature and enjoy recreation," wrote Eiken. "Since its creation in 1923, the Missouri state park system has provided fishing as a recreational opportunity and it has become a part of the state's heritage and a tradition for many families. It is a tradition that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has allowed and intends to continue to offer to the state's residents and visitors."
"There's nothing wrong with fishing," Eiken said in an interview Dec. 18. "If PETA came to Missouri's state parks and saw how fishing is practiced here – husbands and wives together, mothers and fathers with their children, grandparents with grandkids – they would realize what a positive experience this is and how much it enhances state parks' value to Missourians. I can't see any circumstances ever where state parks wouldn't be open for fishing."
Asked if he had any idea why PETA chose Missouri for the antifishing
campaign, Eiken
speculated that the group might be trying to equate raising fish in
hatcheries with raising livestock. PETA opposes raising livestock for human
consumption.
Eiken also speculated that PETA might have been trying to capture media attention by provoking a strong public reaction against the "Fishing Hurts" campaign in states where hunting and fishing are popular.
State parks are separate from conservation areas, which are administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Hunting and fishing are allowed on nearly all conservation areas. The Conservation Department supports the DNR's trout parks by operating trout hatcheries at Roaring River, Bennett Spring and Montauk state parks. It also operates the hatchery at Maramec Spring Park, another trout park that is owned by the James Foundation.
- Jim Low -
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