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New State Gizzard Shad Record
PIERRE, S.D. – Brad Deitz of Pierre has set South Dakota’s first new state fish record for 2006.
Fishing Lake Oahe on Jan. 14, Deitz caught a 4-pound, 12-ounce gizzard shad that broke Slim Rutschke’s former record of 4 pounds, 6 ounces that came from the Missouri River’s Lake Sharpe in 1992.
The record gizzard shad was hooked using a crappie rig tipped with a nightcrawler. It measured 21 7/8 inches from its snout to the tip of its tail and a girth of 15 7/8 inches.
“Gizzard shad are mostly recognized as a forage fish, meaning they are food for other fish,” said Game, Fish and Parks Fisheries Administrator Dennis Unkenholz. “Catching a shad is a surprise because as adults, they are considered vegetarians and therefore do not compete with other species for the same food. This is a unique characteristic because it capitalizes on an energy source not utilized by other fish.”
Because gizzard shad are forage, this species is not classified as game fish in South Dakota. However, they are occasionally caught and therefore recognized on the state record fish listing.
Anglers are reminded that if they should catch a possible state record fish, the first thing to do is get it weighed on a certified scale.
Under South Dakota rules, the weight must be rounded down to the nearest ounce. To replace the existing record, a fish must weigh at least one ounce more. If it breaks the record by less than an ounce, the two fish will be listed as co-holders of the record.
Once a possible state record has been caught, anglers should also contact a Game, Fish and Parks official who will positively identify the fish and sign a record fish form. In cases where positive identification of the species is difficult, a qualified ichthyologist may have to look at the fish.
Anglers who think they may have caught a new state record fish should note that it is important to:
· Keep the fish cool, preferably on ice.
· Have the fish weighed on a state-certified scale (with a witness present)
· Take the fish to a GFP office for positive identification.
South Dakota’s record fish information can be found online, along with some record-fish photographs, at: www.sdgfp.info. From there, click on the link to "Fishing" and then the link to "State Fishing Records."
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