We conduct tag reward exploitation studies on fish populations when we want to know what % of the population is dying from harvest and what % is dying of natural causes (something other than going home in a cooler). We get other info from these studies as well but that is the main reason. The reason why we offer rewards on the tags is because we want anglers to report them when they catch one, regardless of whether or not they kept the fish. Basically it is an incentive. Studies have shown that a reward is needed for an angler to take 5 minutes of their time to report catching a tagged fish. So if we didn’t offer a reward, the data that we collect wouldn’t be very good.
I’m not sure when the Dardanelle study will be complete (not in my district) but most exploitation studies last a year or more. So if they started tagging fish this fall, the data will be analyzed sometime at the end of next year (probably). When the report is ready, you can call the Russellville regional office and ask to speak with Frank Leone or Nick Feltz and they should be able to get you a copy of the report. Hope this helps.
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