Biologists Tag Catfish To Gather Information

Anglers who land a catfish at Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River may also net a $5 reward and a chance at prizes.

Several hundred Brownlee catfish now sport yellow reward tags to learn more about the population. By the end of this season’s tagging effort, 1,200 fish more than 12 inches long will bear them.

Biologists with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Idaho Power Co. are collecting channel and flathead catfish.

“Many factors related to Brownlee’s catfish population remain a mystery,” Fish and Game fisheries biologist Dale Allen said. “This tagging study will help us better understand the population and maintain a quality catfishing experience for Brownlee visitors.”

Affixed below the dorsal spine, each tag bears the address: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 61374 Parrell Bend, Bend, Ore., 97702.

“We’d like anglers to return the tags, regardless of whether they keep the fish or not,” Allen said. “Anglers should also include the specific location and date of catch for each tagged catfish.”

The Oregon agency will pay a $5 reward for each valid tag returned. As an added incentive, there will be a late-season drawing for several $50 prizes from fishermen who turned in tags.

The information will determine harvest rates, catfish biology and age, and where most are caught in Brownlee.