Parker Strip survey shows healthy fish population
Our Yuma-region Fisheries Program conducted an annual electrofishing survey of the Parker Strip of the Colorado River on the nights of Nov. 5–6. These annual surveys are performed to gather data on relative abundance, size, growth of fish, and to detect any large scale changes in the fish population.
Based on the result of this survey, the fishery of the Parker Strip looks as healthy as it has for many years and should provide an excellent fishing experience for anglers for the next few years. A total of 1,711 fish, including 893 smallmouth bass, 209 largemouth bass, 344 green sunfish, 115 redear sunfish, 79 bluegill sunfish, 20 flathead catfish, 1 channel catfish, and 46 common carp were sampled. The largest largemouth bass sampled was 4.4 pounds, the largest smallmouth bass was 3.2 lbs. and the largest redear sunfish was 3 pounds. The largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and redear sunfish populations show a good mix of large, mature fish that can provide good fishing now and young fish that should provide good fishing in the future.
Based on the result of this survey, the Parker Strip is likely going to be a hidden gem and you should probably be considering fishing there this year!
