Category: Black Bass 2025

Description: As trophy bass fishing grows in popularity, this session invites presenters to share successes and challenges in trophy bass management and research. Anticipated topics include case studies, innovative research, genetics, public and private trophy bass management, citizen science, agency programs, and more.

Session Organizers: Allen Martin, Florida FWC; Natalie Goldstrohm, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Drew Dutterer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Steven Bardin, Pro Lake Management LLC, Black Bass Stewardship Group

Session Contact: Allen Martin, [email protected]

Description: Bass movements and spatial ecology are revealing new insights into how they operate in aquatic ecosystems using tracking technology. Large scale movement in the Great Lakes and watersheds, through to fine-scale movement and habitat use in smaller systems are the focus of this session.

Session Organizers: Mark Ridgway, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Session Contact: Mark Ridgway, [email protected]

Description: Bass habitat management involves the creation, enhancement, and restoration of habitats to achieve fisheries management objectives. Here we welcome presentations including experiments and case studies that highlight successes and failures in bass habitat management.

Session Organizers: Steven Cooke, Carleton University- Biology Department; Joseph Parkos III, Illinois Natural History Survey; Mark Rogers, Past President Southern Division AFS; Michael Homer, Texas Parks & Wldlf Dept

Session Contact: Steven Cooke, [email protected]

Description: The number of recognized bass species has increased substantially since the first bass symposium in 1975. This session focuses on bass species that represent most of the diversity in the genus Micropterus. New insights into the management, ecology and conservation of these species are topics to be covered.

Session Organizers: Mark Ridgway, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; David Philipp, Fisheries Conservation Foundation

Session Contact: Mark Ridgway, [email protected]

Description: This symposium will explore the science and practice of bass catch-and-release including best practices for tournaments (livewell retention and catch-measure-release), addressing barotrauma, angling during the reproductive period, and other catch-and-release topics from the individual to the population.  We also welcome studies that explore bass catch-and-release issues from a human dimension.

Session Organizers: Joel Zhang, Carleton University; Luc LaRochelle, Carleton University; Justin Lombardo, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois; Steven Cooke, Carleton University; Raegan Davis

Session Contact: Joel Zhang, [email protected]

Description: Black Bass are often cited as the most popular sportfish in the U.S., with angler participation driving funding for sportfish management. We will examine economics and participation through a historical lens, analyze current data to understand today’s user group and explore how cultural shifts influence and shape future needs.

Session Organizers: Steven Bardin, Pro Lake Management LLC, Black Bass Stewardship Group

Session Contact: Steven Bardin, [email protected]

Description: Agency reactions to non-native Black Bass (NNBB) varies widely. Agencies must balance angler desires with conservation when considering use of NNBB to meet management goals.  Here, we seek to explore all the ways agencies use, control, or mitigate NNBB.  We welcome all perspectives and experiences with NNBB.

Supported by: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

Session Organizers: Kevin Page, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Joseph Conroy, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Richard Zweifel, Ohio Division of Wildlife

Session Contact: Kevin Page, [email protected]

Description: This session will examine how strategic communication can foster support, participation, and compliance among various constituents that care about black bass, including anglers, industry representatives, lakeshore communities, and agency leaders.  Presentations will highlight successes, challenges, and innovative approaches.

Supported by: AFS Science Communication Section, Fisheries Conservation Foundation,

Session Organizers: Julie Claussen, Fisheries Conservation Foundation; Guy Eroh

Session Contact: Julie Claussen, [email protected]

Description: Fishing regulations can impact the characteristics of bass populations, and so can angling itself.  Do we know when or how that happens, and how can we manage for beneficial changes?  Presenters will explore that question together with participation from the audiences during an interactive panel discussion.

Supported by: Fisheries Conservation Foundation

Session Organizers: David Philipp, Fisheries Conservation Foundation; Steven Cooke, Carleton University- Biology Department; Joseph Parkos, Illinois Natural History Survey – Kaskaskia Biological Station; Justin Lombardo, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois; Joel Zhang, Carleton University; Cory Suski, University of Illinois; TAFS

Session Contact: David Philipp, [email protected]

Description: Ideas on what controls annual recruitment in Black Bass populations is all of the map, often with little empirical evidence to support claims.  This session will provide a forum for presenting the current science regrading this topic and promote vigorous discussion.

Supported by: Fisheries Conservation Foundation

Session Organizers: David Philipp, Fisheries Conservation Foundation; Steven Cooke, Carleton University- Biology Department; Cory Suski, University of Illinois; TAFS; Mark Ridgway, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Session Contact: David Philipp, [email protected]