A Glimmer of Hope for Stream Fisheries in Mississippi

Abstract

Abstract Channelization and related flood control works have severely affected most stream fisheries in the Yazoo River basin of western Mississippi. However, recovery processes appear to be quite advanced in some of these streams. A prime example is the Yalobusha River, which is one of the principal tributaries of the Yazoo River. The Yalobusha River was channelized in 1953 but stock assessments conducted in the 1980s have documented excellent fisheries in this system. Exploitable commercial and sport fishes collectively contributed 63.5–78.0% to the biomass of hoop net samples collected during 1986–88. Renewed dredging, clearing, and snagging of the Yalobusha River and other headwater streams in the Yazoo River basin are components of an overall Yazoo River basin flood control plan. These operations, if carried out, would impact the region's stream fishery resources once again. A recent statewide survey indicated that most Mississippi anglers prefer to fish in streams. Strong public opposition to the fl...