MDMR is currently undertaking a pilot study (MS Creel) to gain more detailed and accurate information on Mississippi recreational anglers’ fishing effort. Anglers are encouraged to participate, regardless of fishing activity.
Calls will come from a “985” area code with the caller ID potentially labeled as “South Central Planning,” the agency contracted to conduct the survey for Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The survey will be similar to Louisiana’s LA Creel program and will contact saltwater license holders by phone and email.
Anglers and for-hire captains will be asked about fishing trips completed in Mississippi during the prior week, with fewer than 10 questions being asked in total. If you would prefer to be surveyed by email in the future, an opportunity to provide an email will be available at the end of survey calls.
The overall intent of the program is to provide more detailed and accurate estimates of effort than what is currently being produced through NOAA’s Fishing Effort Survey (FES). Estimates developed during this pilot study will be compared to those derived through Tails n’ Scales and FES to aid in a better understanding of each survey. The end result of this work is expected to yield positive effects for all those involved the process and continue MDMR’s pursuit of providing anglers the greatest opportunity to harvest both state and federally managed species.
For those interested in learning more about the program, visit dmr.ms.gov/mscreel/, call the Mississippi Recreational Fishing Survey hotline at (228) 325-1585 or email at mscreel@dmr.ms.gov.
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