enters the species , weight , bait type , area of the lake , cover type and depth range . SCORETRACKER ® also internally records the time .
These extra pieces of data are extremely important and something very beneficial for fisheries managers . It allows us to quantify the average number of fish caught per angling hour and find trends in the location of fish , as well as provide fisheries managers a way to make better decisions on future habitat restoration projects . MLF has collected this type of data from the very first MLF Cup event held at Lake Amistad in 2011 . In total across all the MLF Cups , Bass Pro Tour and special events , we ’ ve collected data from 61 events in 17 states .
FUTURE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Although we ’ ve barely scratched the surface of the potential of the MLF Lunker Initiative or the dozens of questions we can answer with the SCORETRACKER ® data , we ’ re already planning more research projects . One will be happening during the Bass Pro Tour Carparts . com Stage Seven at Lake St . Clair .
This is a collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University Aquatic Animal Health Lab , who are studying smallmouth bass lesions . Our anglers will help to collect live fish with visible lesions , and our officials , along with the SCORETRACKER ® data , will help us determine the percentage of fish caught with lesions throughout the event . Michigan State University will then take our live fish and test the lesions to determine their cause . Of course , we hope to find the cause and the frequency to then come up with solutions to mitigate the issue long-term .
The FMD has already begun working on our 2022 plans to continue expanding our research , and we ’ ll be tackling issues such as invasive species , determining the best way to quantify the success of habitat projects and answering some of fisheries management ’ s most difficult questions . Stay tuned for much more in the future .
To follow our results or to find out about how to get involved in one of our projects , you can visit the Fisheries Management Division page ( MajorLeagueFishing . com / fisheries-management-division /) on the Major League Fishing website . Go to the MLF home page , click the ellipses and scroll down to the Fisheries Management Division tab . There you will find not just our research information , but several reoccurring educational features , project updates and more .
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 21