DNR fish survey points to areas for improvement

Indiana DNR release:

FORT WAYNE – A two-year study of Fort Wayne-area fisheries is helping develop the "Fishin' in the Fort" program aimed at improving area sport fishing.

Fishin' in the Fort is a community-based initiative to educate citizens of Fort Wayne about fishing, and encourage their participation in other outdoor activities. The results of the study showed current sport fishing opportunities in the city’s three rivers are limited.

The DNR plans to work with the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department on improvement strategies that may involve such things as deepening ponds and adding aerators to improve water quality, adding fish attractors, stabilizing shorelines, installing in-stream habitat, stocking additional fish for anglers, and increasing the number of fishing clinics to teach youths and adults how to fish.

DNR fisheries biologist Nate Thomas said fishing activity in Fort Wayne park ponds and the three rivers has declined by nearly 50 percent over the past two decades.

Thomas and his crew based the analysis on surveys of six sites, two on each of the three rivers. Sites included Shoaff Park and the St. Joseph Dam on the St. Joseph River, Lawton Park and Foster Park West on the St. Marys River, and Hosey Dam and Maumee Park on the Maumee River.

During the survey, biologists captured nearly 1,000 fish that weighed a total of nearly a thousand pounds. The catch was predominantly nongame species, but included some sport fish.

“We caught 17 saugeye, which is a walleye-sauger hybrid, during the survey," Thomas said. "Because they have not been stocked into the rivers, we presume they escaped from a hatchery in Ohio located along the St. Marys River. The largest one was over 24 inches long and weighed 6 1/2 pounds.”

Other sport fish found included largemouth and smallmouth bass, white crappie, and catfish; however, most of those were too small to interest anglers. The abundance of non-game fish found is typical not only of Fort Wayne area rivers, but also Indiana rivers in general.

“Non-game fish, including carp and suckers, accounted for 67 percent of our catch by number and over 83 percent of our catch by weight,” Thomas said. “Among all fish collected in the survey, carp alone made up almost 40 percent of the total weight.”

Though DNR biologists recognize that some anglers fish for carp, only 1 percent of anglers interviewed last summer said they fished for the non-native species. Thomas said he encourages anglers to fish for carp; however, the rivers and other fishing locations likely will be managed for traditional sport fish, such as bass and crappie.

“Overall, we would like to see an increase in the abundance of native sport fish available to anglers,” Thomas said. “Though this could take place through supplemental stockings, fishing locations around the city would also benefit from habitat improvements.”

Habitat conditions evaluated in 2009 at the various river sites ranged from poor to good.

“Our best site was in the St. Marys River downstream of the Foster Park West Bridge. Habitat included in-stream cover, diverse water flows, and woody debris,” Thomas said. “Our worst site was also in the St. Marys River, but more upstream near Lawton and Headwater’s Park. It’s virtually devoid of beneficial habitat for sport fish.”

Thomas said the abundance of non-game species, degraded habitat in the rivers, and an overall lack of public awareness of local fishing opportunities are likely contributing to the local decline in fishing activity.

“Improving multiple aspects of the local rivers and park ponds is the next step if we want to get people out and fishing again,” Thomas said. “Doing so can help get kids outdoors, as well as boost the local economy.”

In a 2008 report, Thomas estimated more than $200,000 is spent annually for fishing in Fort Wayne, an amount that includes equipment and other expenditures associated with fishing trips.

For more information on the “Fishin’ in the Fort” program or fishing opportunities in Fort Wayne, contact Thomas at (260) 244-6805 or NThomas@dnr.IN.gov.