James RickardA little on the spoon bill catfish
October 21st 2010 03:40
North America's answer to the swordfish would have to be the spoonbill catfish, also known as the "paddle fish."
Once common in many parts of America and even into Canada, overfishing and habitat changes have caused major population declines. Happily, paddlefish were redcently spotted in Europe's Danube river. However, It hasn't been determined if the fish escaped from fish farms during European floods, or whether they were let into the river earlier and matured there.
At one time, investigators thought paddlefish used the rostrum to dig food items from the bottom or to dislodge them from vegetation. After that, it was discovered the fish are actually filter-feeders and often ignore most baits and lures and must be caught by snagging.
In American paddlefish remains a popular sport fish in areas where populations are sufficient to allow harvesting. Several states, including Missouri, have enacted stocking programs in areas where natural populations are not yet sustainable. Despite this renewed attraction, some states severely limit their harvest and work to protect their efforts to reintroduce the spoonbill.
Once common in many parts of America and even into Canada, overfishing and habitat changes have caused major population declines. Happily, paddlefish were redcently spotted in Europe's Danube river. However, It hasn't been determined if the fish escaped from fish farms during European floods, or whether they were let into the river earlier and matured there.
At one time, investigators thought paddlefish used the rostrum to dig food items from the bottom or to dislodge them from vegetation. After that, it was discovered the fish are actually filter-feeders and often ignore most baits and lures and must be caught by snagging.
In American paddlefish remains a popular sport fish in areas where populations are sufficient to allow harvesting. Several states, including Missouri, have enacted stocking programs in areas where natural populations are not yet sustainable. Despite this renewed attraction, some states severely limit their harvest and work to protect their efforts to reintroduce the spoonbill.
Spoonbills are one of the largest freshwater fishes in North America, often reaching 5 feet (1.5 m) and reach 60 pounds (27 Kg). Along those lineThe largest paddlefish was caught in Iowa and weighed 198 pounds (90 Kg). Determining the age of thgese is difficult but, some studies have recently estimated that paddlefish may live overf 50 years.
Here's a pretty good video on the spoonbill.
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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