Unique Presentation Identifier:

16

Program Type

Graduate

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Kyler Hecke, Mr. Zack Moran

Document Type

Poster

Location

Online

Start Date

9-4-2026 1:00 PM

End Date

9-4-2026 3:00 PM

Abstract

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) established the Arkansas Tournament Information Program (ATIP) in 1990 to provide a long-term, standardized dataset to describe Black Bass (Micropterus spp.) tournament outcomes, angler performance, and fish size structures across Arkansas, yet most of its analytical potential has not been fully explored beyond yearly summary reports. This project will use ATIP data from 1990 to 2027 and a biological case study from Lake Dardanelle to evaluate long-term trends, compare lake-specific performance, identify environmental drivers of tournament success, access how well tournament data represents true Black Bass populations, and create an “average” year benchmark for tournament success. Temporal trends in catch per unit effort, average weight, total catch, and frequency of 5lb or greater bass will be analyzed using regression methods, while spatial variation among eight major tournament lakes will be evaluated using comparative statistics, and climate and hydrological variables like precipitation, water levels, and flow rates will be related to tournament data through multivariable models. All Black Bass weighed during Lake Dardanelle State Park tournaments from September 2025 through December 2027 will be measured for length (mm) and weight (g), allowing for size structure indices to be calculated and compared to AGFC biologist sampling data to build predictive tools, develop new tournament performance metrics, and establish an “average” year benchmark, that will allow AGFC to evaluate success of management strategies, communicate fishing quality to anglers, and guide conservation for Arkansas Black Bass populations.

Comments

External mentors: Jeremy Risley, Arkansas Game and Fish Commssion; Eric Nass, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

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Apr 9th, 1:00 PM Apr 9th, 3:00 PM

Comprehensive Temporal, Spatial, and Environmental Analysis of Arkansas Tournament Information Program (ATIP) Data with a Lake Dardanelle Case Study.

Online

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) established the Arkansas Tournament Information Program (ATIP) in 1990 to provide a long-term, standardized dataset to describe Black Bass (Micropterus spp.) tournament outcomes, angler performance, and fish size structures across Arkansas, yet most of its analytical potential has not been fully explored beyond yearly summary reports. This project will use ATIP data from 1990 to 2027 and a biological case study from Lake Dardanelle to evaluate long-term trends, compare lake-specific performance, identify environmental drivers of tournament success, access how well tournament data represents true Black Bass populations, and create an “average” year benchmark for tournament success. Temporal trends in catch per unit effort, average weight, total catch, and frequency of 5lb or greater bass will be analyzed using regression methods, while spatial variation among eight major tournament lakes will be evaluated using comparative statistics, and climate and hydrological variables like precipitation, water levels, and flow rates will be related to tournament data through multivariable models. All Black Bass weighed during Lake Dardanelle State Park tournaments from September 2025 through December 2027 will be measured for length (mm) and weight (g), allowing for size structure indices to be calculated and compared to AGFC biologist sampling data to build predictive tools, develop new tournament performance metrics, and establish an “average” year benchmark, that will allow AGFC to evaluate success of management strategies, communicate fishing quality to anglers, and guide conservation for Arkansas Black Bass populations.