The Fisheries Section of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division will unveil its Angler Recognition Program, which will highlight the achievements of freshwater fishermen, as well as maintain records in three categories – the state’s 43 reservoirs, 20 state public fishing lakes and private ponds.
“The program has been available in the past through recognition of state records,” said Stan Cook, Chief of the Fisheries Section. “What we’re doing is expanding it. Now there are several ways of being recognized for angling achievement. We wanted to get more anglers involved, to encourage fishing by recording a memorable catch.”
Cook said the expanded records program will start with black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted and redeye) with the intent to include other species later.
The good news for anglers is that there is more to the program than records. Anglers can be recognized for catching a certain size fish. The size of the fish will determine whether the angler receives a Master or Trophy designation. Plus, the Master and Trophy recognition won’t be limited to black bass. It will also include black and white crappie; striped, white and hybrid bass; blue, channel and flathead catfish; bluegill and redear sunfish; walleye and sauger.
Damon Abernethy, the reservoir management biologist in charge of the program, said the achievement levels could be different for each body of water. “This is something the fishermen have wanted for a long time – particularly keeping lake records,” Abernethy said. “It gets to be a pretty big task for all the species. As far as lake records are concerned, we’re going to go with just black bass. As soon as we get that established, we’re going to look at other species.”
For the Master and Trophy certifications, an application form must be filled out and returned to Abernethy. Applications will be available online at www.outdooralabama.com, at all WFF district offices and many sporting goods stores.
All fish must be caught from
For the Master and Trophy certification, fish may also be presented for recognition by length for those anglers who prefer to catch and release. “The lengths will correspond with weights,” Abernethy said. “For instance, an eight-pound bass is 23 inches and a 10-pounder is 25 inches for largemouths.”
In the lake records category, private ponds will be one category while each of the 43 reservoirs and 20 state public fishing lakes will be separate. The application process for lake records is also considerably more stringent.
Line-class records recognized by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) will be accepted, but an application must still be submitted for each fish.
Anglers whose applications are approved will receive certificates suitable for framing as well as decals for their boat or truck. Each angler will be recognized in the B.A.I.T. (Bass Anglers Information Team) report. The catch statistics will also be published in the B.A.I.T. report. Certificates and decals will be mailed quarterly.
The new program also includes what bass fishermen would consider the ultimate in their sport – the Black Bass Grand Slam. “Any angler who qualifies in either the master or trophy level for all four species of black bass will receive the Black Bass Grand Slam plaque,” Abernethy. “That’s going to be quite an accomplishment.”
All applications must be mailed to Damon Lee Abernethy, Reservoir Management Biologist, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries,
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of