Louisiana releases thousands of Gulf strain striped bass into Pearl River

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Taking another step toward bringing back one of the Gulf Coast’s native sportfish.

On June 4, LDWF biologists released 5,500 Gulf strain striped bass fingerlings into the Pearl River as part of an ongoing effort to restore self-sustaining populations capable of supporting recreational fisheries in southeast Louisiana.

The stocking effort was coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife. Gulf Striped Bass Working Group.

For many Louisiana fishermen, striped bass are a rare catch today. But decades ago, Gulf strain striped bass were native to the river systems of the Gulf Coast, including the Pearl River Basin. Fisheries managers hope that a combination of stocking, research, and fishermen’s participation can help rebuild those populations.

Young fish released in the Pearl River begin their journey Blackwater Fish Hatchery in Holt, FloridaWhere they were born. As fry, they were taken Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo, Mississippi, where they were raised in large ponds until they reached about two inches in length before being stocked.

Stocking is only one part of the restoration effort.

LDWF biologists are also conducting telemetry studies using acoustic tags implanted in adult striped bass to better understand fish movement in the Pearl River Basin. Additionally, genetic samples are being collected to monitor the status of Gulf strain striped bass and measure the success of restoration efforts over time.

State officials are asking fishermen to play a direct role in this project Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Project (SBCAP).

Anyone catching a striped bass in the Pearl River system or waters east of the Mississippi River, including Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, Lake Borgne and their associated tributaries, is encouraged to submit biological information from their catch.

Fishermen can participate by collecting a small fin clip sample using a free LDWF fin clip kit or by allowing biologists to collect a harvested fish carcass. Samples help researchers determine the fish’s age, genetic origin and whether it belongs to the Gulf strain, Atlantic strain or a stocked population.

For harvested fish, fishermen may freeze the whole carcass or simply attach the dorsal or pectoral fins after filleting the head. Biologists use structures known as otoliths, or ear bones, to determine the age of fish, while genetic testing helps track the success of the restoration program.

According to LDWF, even caught and released fish can provide valuable data through fin clip submission.

Biologists hope that continued stocking, coupled with research and public participation, will eventually restore a healthy striped bass population in the Pearl River system and neighboring Louisiana waters.

For more information about the restoration effort or the Striped Bass Collaborative Anglers Project, anglers can contact LDWF Biologist Manager Matthew Duplessis at 985-847-2421 or mduplessis@wlf.la.gov.

keith lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning outdoor journalist who lives in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthShoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outdoors column for the Slidell Independent Newspaper. He also writes for the St. Tammany Parish Tourism Commission’s VisitTheNorthshree.com. He is the former host of The Northshore Fishing Report radio show and is on the board of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. Keith contributes to numerous publications both online and in print and is proud to promote the unique fisheries of South Louisiana. To contact Keith email: keithlusherjr@gmail.com