Black Bass Tagging Study

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is partnering with several organizations to tag 500 smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass the summer and fall of 2013. The bass tagged will be 7.5 inches and greater in length and a reward will be offered for returned tags.

Bass in the West Fork of the White River (Madison, Hamilton, and Marion Counties), Eel River (Wabash, Miami, and Cass Counties), and St. Joseph River (St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties) will have a metal tag on their jaw that can easily be removed and sent to DNR researchers.

Anglers who catch tagged bass can earn up to $25 for returned tags.  The bass will be tagged with a jaw tag that will be stamped with a DNR phone number and tag number.

Anglers can report their catch to: (812)-287-8300

Anglers may keep or release the tagged fish (as long as bag and size limits are followed).

In order to receive your Bass Pro Shops gift card; the tag must be returned to DNR. Gift cards will range from $5 to $25.

Be ready when you call with the information needed from your fishing trip.  

Why do we need this information?

Indiana DNR will use the tag return information to evaluate harvest, fishing pressure, and movements of black bass in these rivers.

Partners

This project is a unique partnership among DNR, several angling groups, Manchester College, and the Indiana Wildlife Federation. Indiana Smallmouth Alliance, Indianapolis Fly Caters, St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers, and Reel Women-Reel Men of Indianapolis have pledged monies to sponsor the rewards.  Manchester College will be assisting with tagging black bass on the Eel River and the Indiana Wildlife Federation is overseeing the distribution of rewards.