Science Notes: Big Rivers Catfish Angler Preferences

Studies of blue catfish and flathead catfish in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers (big rivers) were prompted by concerns about overharvest of large catfish and inadequate harvest regulations. Opportunities to manage big rivers catfish fisheries to better meet the desires of trophy fishers were identified but regulation changes to prevent overharvest were deemed unnecessary. Therefore, broad public support is needed to justify regulation changes that limit resource use.