By Ken Rust
So one of the most challenging parts of a long-term fishery management plan is acquiring records of catching fish and determining to catch and keep the desired amount to keep up good management. Fortunately, we have some modern tools that can help.
First, go to Google Drive, and make a Google Form. Microsoft Teams has something similar.
Make a form with the questions that you want to have answered. I have made one here as an example. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG4wYdToF1WHMWcOSOPGgnm7yLVudDHXhXlRiKXAApGcMq6Q/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=113793371024400618522
Please copy and adjust as needed.
Important information:
Number of fish removed
Occasional sampling of weight and length of each species to evaluate body condition.
You can also add instructions: Keep all fish between ½ and 3 lbs. or whatever your designations are for your existing strategy.
The neat part is that once filled out and submitted, the form goes to Google sheets and makes an ongoing list of responses. This give you data, and data is real information you can use to manage your pond/lake!
But…who is typing in an address at the pond?… Aha, another tool. The QR code. Free to make. Use the response link to the survey to create a QR code that people can use to quickly access the form on their phone and easily fill it out. Print the QR code and have it durably laminated for a quick sign at your pond or lake.
https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/
This is just an example. You just type in QR code in the web and options pop up.
I
f you have a public access area/park, you can offer a prize drawing for submittals to encourage responses.
- Note: You can have fun and submit on this form but it goes to MY Google account. You must make one on YOUR Google account to have it go to your form and make data for you.
Once you have data on fishing pressure, amounts caught and removed of each species, and body condition you can make real management decisions going forward to maintain and enhance the fishery you have invested in creating!
If you would like assistance with developing or enhancing a fishery, Louisiana Pond Management has over 50 years of combined experience to help you do just that!
Please call 225 308 4145 and we will be glad to help.
Or you can click here
Or click my QR code. 😊
