Creel Count Monday, July 13th, 2015

Creel Count is a weekly digest of fishing numbers all across the country.

2,977 anglers

Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia are using data from 2,977 boat-based recreational anglers to estimate recreational catch rates. Geostatistical techniques model the spatial distribution of catches to give fishery managers better data to make decisions on creel limits and the overall health of particular fisheries. [PHYS.ORG]

18,000 people

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launched its fishing app, FishBoatPA, on April 7th. The app gives you access to fishing laws, license information and fish identification and biology. The app has more than 18,000 downloads. [CITIZENSVOICE.COM]

8 places

Pymatuning Reservoir moved up 8 places in the 100 Best Lakes in America list compiled by Bassmasters. The list has been assembled since 2012 and ranks the best bass fishing lakes across all of America. Pymatuning was 71st in 2014. Also making the list was Presque Isle Bay at #25, up 3 spots from 28th in 2014. [BASSMASTERS]

80 feet

Pothole lakes in Washington State are lower than usual and in some cases drying up completely. The 2015 Wild Goose Bill Days in Wilbur, Washington had to cancel its kids fishing derby because the town’s dam was 80 feet below normal and did not have enough water to support the trout purchased for the event. Unsustainable deep-well irrigation may be to blame and only emphasizes the struggles the west is having with water management in recent years. [SPOKESMAN]

10 bullfrogs

July comes in high anticipation for some Pennsylvania reseidents. July 6th marks the opening of frog and turtle season in the Keystone State. Managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, bullfrogs and northern greem frogs can be caught at a rate of 10 per day while snapper turtle hunters can bag 15 per day. The season runs until October 31st. [MAINLINEMEDIANEWS]