Conference to teach management for raising trophy bass
Dec. 9, 2011
Media Contact: (903) 834-6191, icle__media__contact">Media Contact: (903) 834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu; Dr. Billy Higginbotham, (903) 834-6191, b-higginbotham@tamu.edu
Set March 23-24 in Athens
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ATHENS – Mark your calendar if you want to grow trophy largemouth bass in your pond or lake. An upcoming program set in Athens will show you how, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert.
"Bass Tech: The Technology to Manage for Success" will be held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center- Conservation Center, Farm-to-Market 2495, Athens, on March 24, to show bass enthusiasts just how to do so, said Dr. Billy Higginbotham AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist, Overton.
A joint venture by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and AgriLife Extension, programming will include presentations starting with basic pond ecology, water quality, pond fertility, supplemental feeding, bass population assessment, aquatic weed control, controlling nuisance wildlife, bass genetics and managing for trophy bass, Higginbotham said.
Similar programming has been held before in Athens, but not since 2008, he said. As the programming is applicable statewide, it has also previously been held in San Marcos and Conroe.
"The main difference this year is that we’ve trimmed some topics based on participant evaluations," Higgibotham said. "We have an optional tour of the hatchery at the center the day before, but the one-day program means participants won’t have to go to the expense and trouble of spending the night if they don’t want to."
Registration for the training is $70 by March 16, $100 thereafter. Participants may register online at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu or by calling 979-845-2604.
For more information, contact Higginbotham at 903-834-6191 or b-higginbotham@tamu.edu, or Dr. Michael Masser, 979-845-7370 or m-masser@tamu.edu.