Jan. 7th Chapter Meeting with Drew Dunlap guest speaker

Central Plains TU Chapter Meeting

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER DREW DUNLAP

Open to the public

Time: doors open at 6:00 pm meeting starts at 6:30 pm

Place: Arcadia Conservation Education Center, 7201 E 33rd St, Edmond, OK 73013

About the guest speaker:

Drew Dunlap, master’s student at Oklahoma State University leading an exciting research project focused on the trout fishery of the Lower Mountain Fork River in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He is working under the mentorship of research scientist Dr. Jim Long, Leader of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at OSU and a nationally experienced fisheries biologist with decades of work in fish ecology, angler behavior, and fisheries management.

This project is supported by a three-year research grant from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and aims to take a fresh look at one of Oklahoma’s most popular trout fisheries. The Lower Mountain Fork River has not been thoroughly studied in nearly 40 years, leaving important questions about trout stocking success, fish use, and angler experiences unanswered.

Drew will be presenting results from a 12-month creel survey that explores how anglers use the fishery, including comparisons between fly anglers and non-fly anglers, preferences for stocked versus wild trout, and demographic information about those who fish the river. These findings will help guide future trout management decisions and ensure the Lower Mountain Fork River continues to provide high-quality fishing opportunities for the public.