Congratulations D10 aka Matt Schroeder

Here is the nomination letter that my supervisor Tom Bly submitted. For those that don't know Tom, he is a great guy, mentor, and friend to me.

Matt has been with the Fisheries Division for 12 years. I first met Matt when he worked as extra labor for Wildlife Management out of the Mayflower Office during college. He began his career in Fisheries with the Trout Program after completion of his Masters at the University of Central Arkansas. His responsibilities included management of the Greers Ferry Tail Water where I had the opportunity to work with Matt and get to know him both personally and professionally. He came to work as the Management Biologist – Assistant Supervisor in District 10 in 2009. Known as one of the “homes of the dinosaurs”, Matt began a new era of fisheries management in the District. His knowledge of fish, fisheries techniques and analysis of fish population data brought a paradigm shift that was sorely needed. Matt is a perfectionist in his quest to thoroughly research and analyze fish populations, both in the District and Statewide. He is not afraid to question methodology and results no matter the source. Though this has resulted in him getting his hands slapped a few times it has not deterred his efforts to achieve the best product possible.

Matt has brought in a new perspective of conducting in-house research projects in District 10. He developed proposals for exploitation studies on crappie populations in Lakes Conway, Overcup and Harris Brake. Prior to this there had only been one other crappie exploitation study conducted in the State. He mentored our Habitat Biologist in developing a study on the effects of fertilization on bluegill fishing in Lake Overcup. He developed a proposal for the evaluation of MossBack artificial structures compared to natural structures in Lake Cargile which is currently underway. This research has resulted in implementation of crappie minimum length limits on three District lakes and four oral presentations at the Southern Division American Fisheries Society annual meetings. He has also made presentations to the North Central Division Walleye Technical Committee, the MOARK meeting and several angling and civic groups.

Matt has stepped up to take a major role in revising the Walleye and Crappie Management Plans. He serves as the Chair of the Walleye Management Team and has spent countless hours collating and analyzing walleye data, calling on other biologists for their input and developing a plan that is based on sound science while considering the needs and desires of other Districts and our Culture Section. He serves on the Walleye Technical Committee of the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society and has used this association to develop peers in other states in an effort to increase his knowledge of walleye populations and management. Matt was instrumental in developing a cooperative agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation for genetic analysis of walleye populations in Arkansas at no cost to our Agency. Matt played a major role in revising the Crappie Management Plan and developing a RFP with the Wisconsin Cooperative Fisheries Unit at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point for reading oxytet-marked crappie otoliths. Matt initiated and oversaw the contract with UAPB and ATU that funded a graduate student’s research entitled, “An Evaluation of Crappie Supplemental Stocking in Arkansas Impoundments”. Matt also serves on the Age and Growth and Genetics Teams.

Matt has been a willing mentor to anyone requesting his help. He has mentored numerous students, interns, extra labor employees, colleagues and even one of the “dinosaurs” in population dynamics, statistical modeling, age and growth techniques, preparation of research proposals and writing of research reports. He works annually with professors from UCA to demonstrate and discuss electrofishing techniques and theory to the Field Ichthyology class. His mentoring is not limited to his profession. He has a passion for sharing his knowledge of crappie, bream and smallmouth fishing. There are no secrets as far as Matt is concerned. He has a heart for kids and finds great satisfaction in introducing young people to the world of fishing. He takes the time every year to talk to students at Greenbrier Elementary School about fish and fishing.

Matt is always willing to participate in field projects both in the District and Statewide. He has proven himself a capable leader. He coordinated and supervised the second cleanup effort on Lake Conway after the tornado of 2014. He has participated in the largescale habitat projects and played an integral part in the planning and execution of the Greers Ferry Project. He participated in Operations MONGOOSE and MEDUSA for Northern Snakeheads and in the striped bass brood stock collection efforts on Lake Ouachita.

Matt is the consummate ambassador for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He is proud of the Agency he works for and the role he plays in managing our State’s resources. He is always willing to talk with anglers and the general public about fishing, fish management and our different fisheries in the District and around the State. He stays active on social media, particularly Crappie.com, in an effort to inform, educate and dispel misinformation. He has become a respected contributor to this site.
Matt is a Certified Fisheries Professional through the American Fisheries Society and is very involved with the Arkansas Chapter. He served as secretary from 2014-2016 and is currently the president-elect. He is also serving on the AFS Southern Division 2020 Planning Committee.

Matt is a devoted family man and contributing member to his community. He is successful in balancing a busy work schedule with a very active personal life. He, his wife Ashlee, son Jacob and daughter Stella are active members of the St. Matthew Lutheran Church where Matt serves as the Vice-President of the Business Council. Matt is very involved with little league baseball in Greenbrier where he has coached for several years. Matt has also become involved with Renewal Ranch in Conway, a non-profit alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility for men by frequently donating fish to meet their nutritional needs.

It is a difficult task for me to pen this nomination. It is human nature to take for granted those things that are a daily occurrence. I have but scratched the surface of who Matt Schroeder is, what he does and what he has accomplished. Two things I do not and will not take for granted though are his dedication to this Agency and his career and the fact that he is my friend.