Outdoor Briefs

Arkansas River fish kill investigation continues

OZARK — Anglers and residents along the Arkansas River near Ozark Lock and Dam wrapped up 2010 witnessing more than 83,000 dead and dying fish on the surface of the river.

According to Chris Racey, AGFC assistant chief of fisheries, the fish kill was reported Dec. 29 and covered about 17 miles of river from the Ozark Lock and Dam downstream to River Mile 240, directly south of Hartman, Ark.

Bob Limbird, district fisheries biologist for the Russellville area, said, “We started receiving reports on Wednesday night. Fisheries biologist Frank Leone and Wildlife Officer Ben Sisk arrived at dark and scanned the water with a spotlight. They saw a lot of dead fish on the shore and decided to come back with more manpower Thursday morning to properly assess the situation.”

Friday, 17 AGFC personnel loaded into six boats and surveyed the stretch of river affected by the kill.

“We sampled the south bank along the river channel,” Limbird said. “Most of the fish were concentrated from the dam to Okane, with a few here and there stretching almost to Horsehead Creek.”

About 99 percent of the dead fish (about 83,000 estimated fish) were freshwater drum. A few yellow bass, white bass and sauger were found in sampled areas, but may be unrelated to the drum kill.

“Most of the fish were freshwater drum between 6 and 11 inches long,” Limbird said. “We picked up five drum that were dying and submitted them to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for testing.”

The fish samples are being analyzed; test results could take up to 30 days.

Storm causes minor damage to AGFC hatchery

MAMMOTH SPRING — Last week’s severe weather damaged roofs on a storage building at Jim Hinkle Spring River Fish Hatchery in Mammoth Spring. The storm also caused shingle damage to the assistant hatchery manager’s residence and several large limbs fell around the compound. The damage was considered minor.

The hatchery produces more than one million 11-inch rainbow trout annually. Fish from the hatchery are distributed in the Bull Shoals and Greers Ferry tailwaters, Spring River, Blanchard Spring, southern Arkansas trout waters and the Family and Community Fishing Program’s seasonal trout ponds.

RMEF grants improve Arkansas elk habitat

LITTLE ROCK — More than 10,400 acres of public land in Arkansas were enhanced for wildlife as part of a slate of conservation and education projects that received money from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2010.

Two habitat projects affected the Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River in Marion, Newton and Searcy counties. Two education projects had statewide interest.

The grants from RMEF totaled $49,680.

“These grants were possible because of the successful banquets and fundraisers staged by our Arkansas volunteers–most of whom are elk hunters, as well as devoted conservationists,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Since 1984, our annual grants have helped complete 66 different projects in Arkansas with a combined value of more than $3.3 million.”

RMEF grants for 2010 helped fund the following projects:

Bearcat Hollow Forage Enhancement–In Newton and Searcy counties, RMEF funds helped create 46 acres of forest openings to improve vegetative diversity and forage for elk and other species in the Ozark National Forest. This was the third year of this ongoing initiative.

Buffalo National River Habitat Enhancement–In Marion, Newton and Searcy counties, RMEF funds helped with prescribe burning and treating invasive and non-native plants to improve 10,402 acres of habitat for elk on public lands. This was the 10th year of this ongoing initiative.

Hope Outdoors Events–RMEF funds provided sponsorship for Hope Outdoors, which annually organizes hunting and fishing adventures for physically challenged citizens of Arkansas. The program, which caters to youths and adults, also teaches hunting safety, ethics and skills.

Youth Hunter Education Challenge–RMEF funds provided 2010 sponsorships and support for this annual program that offers Arkansas youths a chance to compete in shooting sports, orienteering, wildlife identification, hunter ethics and responsibilities, and elk calling.

Habitat projects were selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff, along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities. A committee of RMEF field staff and volunteers selected education projects.

Partners for 2010 projects in Arkansas included the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, other organizations and landowners.