Infection Takes Out Pennsylvania Hatchery Trout

WARREN, PA-A disease outbreak has prompted the removal of more than
700,000 trout from Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Fish Hatchery, and
officials say many of the fish might need to be destroyed.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced last week that lake
trout and brook trout at the hatchery had tested positive for the
infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, which causes hemorrhaging of
internal organs. The infection is highly contagious in fish and can
cause up to 90 percent mortality in young fish. There's no known cure or
treatment, but the virus doesn't affect humans.

The hatchery is home to 720,000 juvenile lake, brook and rainbow trout
and 2,500 lake trout broodstock. The fish are stocked in lakes Erie and
Ontario and around the Allegheny National Forest. Hatchery staff are
working to remove the fish and disinfect the facility.

Win $100 In Angler Survey

ALEXANDRIA, VA-You can win a $100 gift certificate and help the
sportfishing industry by taking a new online survey each month. The
study, developed by Southwick Associates, Inc., will survey a panel of
several thousand U.S. anglers each month about their angling activities
and purchases. This information will be used to develop new products and
better services to enhance the angling experience.
"The information to be produced by (the survey) will provide an
important piece of the puzzle explaining where the industry and resource
agencies need to focus our efforts to improve sportfishing opportunities
and fish populations," says Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the
American Sportfishing Association.

Anglers need register only once, and the typical survey takes about two
minutes to complete. Participants will be asked about their angling
activities in the previous month, species pursued, products purchased,
opportunities desired and more.

The results will become available to the public in early 2006. For more
information, contact Southwick Associates, (904) 277-9765,

North Carolina Catman Calls Shot On Record Flathead

RALEIGH, NC-Late last year, North Carolina angler Brian Newberger
predicted to friends and family that he'd set a new state flathead
catfish record by the end of 2005. Shortly after midnight on September
17, his prediction became reality when he landed a 78-pound, 52-inch
flathead while fishing the Cape Fear River above Lock and Dam No. 3 in
Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Arizona Boating Access Grants Now Available

PHOENIX, AZ-The Arizona Game and Fish Department (GFD) announced last
week that it has $600,000 available in grant money to improve access to
Arizona lakes and waterways.
"If you enjoy boating on Arizona waters, this money is specifically for
improving that kind of recreation," says the GFD's Ron Christofferson.
"Every year, the GFD makes grant funds available to applicants who have
projects with a boating access focus that otherwise might not receive
funding. This is the time of year to apply for that money."

In related news, recreational boating access will be improved next year
at 10 sites throughout Ohio thanks to more than $3 million in grants
awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of
Watercraft.

Columbia River Anglers Must Release Chinooks

OLYMPIA, WA-The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) has
announced that anglers must now release any chinook salmon they catch on
the mainstem Columbia River from the mouth of the river to the U.S. Hwy.
395 Bridge at Pasco.
The announcement follows an agreement between fisheries managers from
Washington and Oregon to close two sections of the Columbia River where
the sport fishery has taken its portion of the allowable fall chinook
salmon protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Delaware Offering Fly Fishing Workshop For Women

SMYRNA, DE-Female anglers who want to learn how to fly fish or to
sharpen their fly fishing skills are invited to the Beyond Becoming an
Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop Oct. 15 at the Delaware Division of Fish
and Wildlife's (DFW) Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna.
The event begins at 9:15 a.m. Flies, reels and rods will be available,
but participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment as well as
a bag lunch. Snacks will be provided, and participants will be returned
to the Aquatic Resources Education Center by 3:45 p.m. The workshop fee
is $15.

Interactive Lake Erie Watershed Maps Now Available Online

SANDUSKY, OH-Interactive maps of Ohio's Lake Erie watershed and the
first edition of the "Ohio Coastal Atlas" are now available online on
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.

New Jersey fall trout stocking

Week 1 (October 4 - 7)
Although the prolonged spell of dry weather has resulted in unusually
low stream flows, during Week 1 most of the streams slated for stocking
were stocked with their full allocation of trout. Some individual
stocking locations may have received fewer (or no) trout than usual if
existing conditions were unsuitable (shallow water present or pools
absent) at the time of stocking.

Major departures from the normal Week 1 stocking routine were as
follows:

Big Flatbrook - Most of the allocated trout were stocked in the river,
however, due to low water conditions approximately 150 - 200 trout (out
of the 4,120 trout allocation) were diverted and stocked in Lake
Ocquittunk. Several locations above Lake Ocquittunk (Stokes SF) could
not be stocked due to low water.

Black River - Flow was so low that the river could not be stocked, and
the Lamington River was stocked instead.

Rockaway River - Most of the allocated trout were stocked in the river,
however, due to low water conditions approximately 400 trout (out of the
3,070 trout allocation) were diverted and stocked in Mt. Hope Pond.

S/Br. Raritan River - All of the allocated trout were stocked, however,
due to low water conditions no stocking occurred upstream of the Rt.
513/Rt. 517 bridge in Long Valley.

Wallkill River - All of the allocated trout were stocked, however, due
to low water conditions no stocking occurred upstream of West Mountain
Road (Sparta).

Week 2 (October 11 - 13)
No changes have been made or are expected. Stocking will occur as
originally scheduled.

The stocking schedule can be found on the Division of Fish and Wildlife
website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/flstk05.htm.

Commission approves 2006 big game hunting regulations

SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at its regular monthly
meeting today in Salem approved big game hunting regulations for 2006.

Major changes include a 5-percent increase in spring bear hunting tags
statewide, to 6,778 tags. A new spring bear hunt in the Hood Unit is
added.

The statewide cougar harvest quota is increased, from 580 to 668. The
check-in requirement is expanded from 72 hours to 10 days, recognizing
the needs of hunters in remote areas and those on extended hunting
trips.

Bighorn sheep hunters will see five new hunts throughout existing units.
Rocky Mountain goat hunters will have an additional four days in their
hunts. A second hunt for pronghorn antelope is added in the Whitehorse
Unit, with 80 tags estimated for 2006.

Archery elk bag limits will be changed for 2006. The standard bag limit
will be a legal bull, except in units where herd levels allow antlerless
harvest. Biologists will propose units for antlerless animals to be
included in the bag limit, following herd surveys each spring. A list of
proposed "antlerless or legal bull" units will be available by May 1.

The Ochoco Management Unit, east of Prineville, will become a controlled
archery hunt for elk in 2006. Bow hunters will need an Ochoco archery
elk tag to hunt deer in the unit. The tag also will be good in general
season areas.

Details soon will be available on ODFW's Web site, www.dfw.state.or.us

Evacuees living in Arkansas may hunt, fish free

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in September waived
hunting and fishing license fees through Dec. 31 for some of the
Hurricane Katrina evacuees living in Arkansas.

Evacuees who take advantage of free hunting and fishing must be able to
show they reside in Arkansas. Those who have returned to specific
counties and parishes of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi to live are
not eligible.

All state wildlife regulations apply to eligible temporary Arkansas
residents. Arkansas hunting and fishing regulations are outlined in AGFC
hunting and fishing guidebooks available at license vendors across the
state and online at www.agfc.com.

Hunters who pursue waterfowl are required to have a Federal Waterfowl
Stamp, and hunters who pursue migratory game birds must register with
the Harvest Information Program.

Hunters who take big game under this privilege will be required to tag
their game and check it as outlined in the Arkansas Hunting Guidebook,
2005-06. They may make their tags or use tags provided in the guidebook.

GET INTO NEW HAMPSHIRE'S GREAT OUTDOORS ON WILDLIFE JOURNAL TV SERIES

CONCORD, N.H. -- Come face-to-face with wild things; meet fascinating
outdoor experts; and explore New Hampshire's most remote and pristine
places when the award-winning Wildlife Journal television series kicks
off its fourth season Thursday, October 6, 2005 @ 9 p.m. The popular
series, co-produced by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and
New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV), is part of NHPTV's new Thursday
night local programming line-up.

In this season's Wildlife Journal episodes, viewers will visit New
Hampshire's great trout streams, follow the Connecticut River through
the heart of the Granite State and learn about loons, black bears,
woodcocks, and more! Cameras capture animals in the wild and transport
viewers to remote and ruggedly beautiful places across the state. Hosts
Willem Lange and Lisa Densmore introduce viewers to fascinating people
and local experts -- all deeply connected to the natural world through
wildlife research, fishing, hunting and other outdoor pursuits. Each
half-hour program includes two top features and a Wild Ways and a Wild
Places segment. Wild Ways offers "how-to" tips on a variety of outdoor
activities. Wild Places features areas of scenic or recreational
interest in the Granite State.

"We have spectacular natural resources in New Hampshire," said Jon
Charpentier, educational and broadcast media manager for the New
Hampshire Fish and Game Department and executive producer of the
program. "Wildlife Journal brings it all together, helping viewers
across New England explore and understand our wildlife heritage and what
it means to our quality of life."

"We're delighted to offer a fourth season of Wildlife Journal," said
Peter Frid, NHPTV's General Manager and CEO. "The program's spotlight on
the state's wildlife and beautiful outdoor spaces is a favorite with our
viewers. And we're pleased that professional and peer organizations
continue to honor our work, including four regional Emmy Awards."

The Wildlife Journal program schedule, with airdates and episode
descriptions, is available at http://www.wildlifejournal.tv.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department protects and manages wildlife
and habitat, informs and educates people of all ages and provides
opportunities for people to use and appreciate the state's natural
resources. Visit www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV
is a leader in education and community outreach. For more information
about NHPTV programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit
www.nhptv.org/pressroom. NHPTV serves Northern New England on Channels
11 Durham, 15 Hanover, 18 Pittsburg, 49 Littleton, 52 Keene, and on
Digital Channels 57 Durham, 48 Littleton and 49 Keene.

DNR seeks comments on experimental walleye regulations on Rainy Lake

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a
public input meeting this fall to gather input on walleye regulations on
Rainy Lake. The meeting will be held in International Falls at Rainy
River Community College on October 18, 2005 at 7:00 pm. The forum is
intended to provide background information, answer questions, and take
public input on walleye regulations on Rainy Lake.

For more information, click here:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/releases/index.html?id=1128444319 .

Man dies after fishing accident

Kent County, October 5- An elderly Kent County man is dead after being
involved in a boating accident during a fishing trip.

It happened around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday on Lincoln Lake in Spencer
Township.

The Kent County Sheriff's Department says 84-year-old Raymond Edward
Fisher of Nelson Township and his 55-year-old son, Joe Allen Fisher of
Newaygo, were in a fishing boat.

Joe told officers that the boat's anchor started to drop into the water
as they headed across the lake. Joe immediately slowed the boat, but
before they could pull up the anchor, the drag factor of the anchor in
the water caused the boat to take on water, flipping it over.

The men ended up under the boat with their heads above the water. The
men had life jackets with them, but did not have them on.

Joe said he asked his father if he was okay, and Raymond said yes.

Moments later, Raymond was not responding. His son pulled him from under
the boat, keeping his head above water, and called for help.

Two citizens heard Joe's call for help and went to assist them. They
were able to bring the two men back to shore where rescue crews took
over.

Raymond was transported to Spectrum Butterworth where he later died.
Investigators say he had a heart attack.

N.J.'s 2006 Fish Art and Writing Contest

Elementary and Middle School science teachers take note: The 2006 Fish
Art and Writing Contest information is now posted on the Division of
Fish and Wildlife website. Your students in grades 4 - 8 can learn about
NJ's fish while honing their artistic skills. The division's website
also has lots of online resources that your students can search to learn
about NJ's fish as they do the research for the biography piece. Please
feel free to share this contest with your school's art and language arts
teachers for this interdisciplinary activity.

The Aquatic WILD activity "Fishy Who's Who" can be used to introduce the
contest to students. The activities done through the contest help meet
NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science 5.5 (Grade 4) A.1,
(Grade 6) B.1, (Grade 8) B.1, B.2, B.3, and Science 5.10 (Grade 6), A.1.

The winning entrants in each grade are invited to the Pequest Trout
Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford (along with
their immediate family and their teacher!) to fish at the education pond
on Opening Day of Trout Season, 2006 and to receive their awards at a
special luncheon. The contest is sponsored by NJ chapters of Trout
Unlimited.

For more information, see http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishart.htm

WILDLIFE ACTION GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS

CONCORD, N.H. -- Teachers interested in starting wildlife habitat
projects can apply to the Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program at New
Hampshire Fish and Game for start-up funds. The program provides
mini-grants of up to $300 -- or $600 with matching funds -- for projects
allowing students and educators to enhance habitat for people and
wildlife. The deadline for submitting proposals is November 15, 2005.
For a proposal packet, write to Marilyn Wyzga, Public Affairs Division,
N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301;
email mwyzga@wildlife.state.nh.us; or call (603) 271-3211.

The Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program is designed to support
student environmental action that can be measured in acres improved or
protected for wildlife. Activities can include hands-on schoolyard or
community habitat improvement or projects influencing community
attitudes about maintaining or protecting wildlife habitat.

The grant program is funded by the Conservation License Plate fund,
through the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at Fish and Game.
Each applicant may request up to $300, or up to $600 if a
dollar-for-dollar match can be provided by the school or organization
for any amount over the initial $300. A match is not required for the
first $300.

Grants are available to educators working in cooperation with Project
HOME or Project WILD. Project HOME is an award-winning schoolyard
habitat program coordinated by Fish and Game. Project WILD provides
teachers with wildlife materials through interactive, interdisciplinary
workshops about wildlife and the environment.

Who can apply for the Wildlife Action Grants?
* Project HOME facilitators;
* Teachers and educators trained in Project WILD; or
* Any teacher with a member of one of these programs on the project
team.

"We're looking for student-driven action projects that will directly
benefit wildlife," says Marilyn Wyzga, coordinator of the Project HOME
schoolyard habitat program at Fish and Game. "Projects with the best
chance of long-term success involve schools assembling a team of staff,
students, community members and resource professionals."

EXAMPLES OF PAST PROJECTS funded by Wildlife Action Grants include:

* Berlin High School installed 10 bat boxes along the Dead River and
planted grasses for vegetative cover in runoff areas.

* Holderness Central School used the award to help establish native
shrubs and perennials for birds and butterflies as part of a Quiet
Courtyard restoration project.

* Beaver Meadow School in Concord established 4 pollinator gardens
using seeds and young plants that host butterflies and other insects and
birds. They also replaced 6 invasive burning bushes with appropriate
native plants.

* Milan Village School received a second grant to continue a school
wide project to reestablish habitat that was removed for a new school
addition. Development and enhancement of this habitat area will include
native trees and shrubs as well as bird boxes, and a bird feeding and
watering station, to supplement planned outdoor classroom elements. They
provided a thorough report of the initial phase of the project, for
which they had received a $250 grant in 2003-04.

Grant applications will be evaluated by staff from Project HOME and
biologists and educators from the N.H. Fish and Game Department. Grant
recipients are required to evaluate the progress of their project at the
end of the school year. Recipients may apply for grants in subsequent
years if additional funding is necessary, and also may apply for funds
for new projects.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the
state's fish, wildlife and marine resources. Visit online at
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

PETA objects to fishing show

For the sake of all fish, Eli Lilly and Co. should bail out of its
sponsorship of Bassmaster fishing tournaments, says People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals.
In a letter to the Indianapolis drug maker, PETA says Lilly is "paying
for cruelty to animals on a massive scale" through its one-year
sponsorship of Bassmaster University's weekly fishing television show.
Lilly and Icos Corp. use the sponsorship to promote their co-marketed
male impotence pill Cialis.

"Eli Lilly would never sponsor tournaments that involved impaling dogs
or cats with hooks through their mouths," the PETA letter says.
"Treating fish this way is no better."
Lilly had no comment on the letter. The company referred to a statement
on its Web site that says "we have an ethical and scientific obligation
to ensure the appropriate treatment of animals."

FISH FROM PRIVATE HATCHERY INFECTED WITH WHIRLING DISEASE STOCKED IN COLORADO WATERS

A southwest Colorado man who stocked waters in New Mexico, Utah and
Colorado with trout raised in his private fish-production facility that
was infected with whirling disease has pleaded guilty to several federal
charges and will pay nearly $30,000 in fines and restitution fees.

Dwight Babcock, 59, owner of Cannibal Canyon Ranches in Marvel, Colo.,
pleaded guilty in federal court in Durango on Sept. 30 to seven criminal
counts of knowingly selling, transporting, and stocking wildlife
illegally in New Mexico and Utah. As part of the plea agreement, Babcock
also acknowledged that he stocked fish from his hatchery into rivers in
Colorado at least 125 times between 1997 and 2003.

The investigation showed that he stocked fish in at least 72 locations
in rivers and streams in La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma and Dolores
counties. He is known to have stocked fish along private sections of the
Piedra, San Juan, West Dolores, Animas and Rio Blanco rivers. Babcock
was paid by landowners to stock the fish.

Babcock entered the plea following a two-year joint investigation by
more than a dozen wildlife and law enforcement officials from the
Colorado Division of Wildlife, Utah, New Mexico, the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, and the United States Attorney's Office in
Colorado.

According to court documents, Babcock's fish-production facility first
tested positive for whirling disease in 1997. It tested positive again
in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

Whirling disease, which is devastating to trout, is caused by a
microscopic parasite that infects the soft cartilage of young fish. The
disease kills most young fish that it infects. In fish that survive
whirling disease causes severe deformities that cause fish to swim in
aimless circles. Whirling disease has no affect on human health.

Mike Japhet, an aquatic biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife
in Durango, said Babcock's stocking could have serious negative effects
on Wild Trout waters and important Cutthroat Trout Conservation Waters
in southwest Colorado.

"Once whirling-disease positive fish are released, there's not much we
can do. The only place we can logically control the disease is at the
hatchery," Japhet said.

Whirling disease was introduced accidentally into Colorado during the
1980s when a private hatchery stocked rivers with infected fish. The
infestation caused a collapse of Rainbow trout populations in several
self-sustaining high-country waters. Native Cutthroat trout also are
susceptible to the disease.

The disease eventually spread to hatcheries operated by the DOW. The
agency was forced to spend approximately $11 million to modernize trout
hatcheries that raise fish for mountain waters. Those hatcheries now are
free of whirling disease. In addition, the DOW has spent about $500,000
per year since 1995 to study the disease.

"The disease devastated many high-quality trout fisheries," said Eric
Hughes, statewide aquatic manager for the DOW. "We continue to be
concerned about the release of whirling-disease positive fish."

Private hatcheries that stock trout must be certified as
whirling-disease free.

The DOW certified Babcock's hatchery as being free of whirling disease
in early 2005. He will not be allowed to stock any waters in New Mexico
or import any fish to that state. He will be allowed to stock waters in
Colorado. He also can sell fish to restaurants and food retailers.

Babcock's fines included: $4,800 to the federal government; $15,000 to
the state of New Mexico; and $10,000 to the Colorado State University
Research Foundation to be used for whirling disease research. He is also
on probation for three-years with the U.S. Justice Department.

Japhet urged landowners who are considering stocking private waters to
be cautious. All private hatcheries are inspected once each year by
state officials. Land owners who are considering buying fish from
private firms should request to see the state-issued certificate that
proves the hatchery is certified as negative for whirling disease.

"Responsible trout growers won't mind showing a document that proves
that their hatcheries are free of whirling disease," Japhet said.

Anyone who is concerned that fish infected with whirling disease are
being stocked in high-country trout waters should contact Operation Game
Thief at 1-877-265-6648, or the closest DOW office.

Caledonia DNR forester receives national honor

Valiree Green, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
forester at Caledonia, is one of eight foresters nationally to be
honored for work with private landowners.

Green was selected by the Society of American Foresters to receive a
Presidential Field Forester Award during the Society's annual meeting in
Fort Worth, Texas. The award is meant to recognize foresters who have
demonstrated excellence in forest management through professional
contributions, innovative methods and a demonstrated commitment to the
profession of forestry.

Tom Romaine, DNR regional staff forester at New Ulm, said Green has
earned a reputation among her peers for her "outstanding ability and
determination to develop helpful relationships with private landowners.
This genuine desire to help landowners has resulted in numerous high
quality forest stewardship plans in Houston County."

Romaine said Green was also one of the key promoters behind the idea of
expanding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) into
portions of southeastern Minnesota.

Green, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, began her DNR
career in 1988. She has been stationed at Caledonia for the past 15
years.

"This is a great job," Green said. "I get to visit some wonderful pieces
of property that many people never get the chance to see and I have some
very talented and thoughtful colleagues. And I am incredibly fortunate
to have some very dedicated contractors in Houston County to implement
the forest practices that I prescribe."

Media Contact:
Valiree Green
(507) 724-5264 ext. 5.

2006 BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES GAINS ITS FIRST ANGLER

Skeet Reese, Angler and Businessman, Registers for Season
CELEBRATION, Fla. - In September, Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., made
history by becoming the first professional angler to register for the
Bassmaster Elite Series, an 11-event competition that will award nearly
$7.5 million in cash and merchandise.

Reese, 36, didn't know he was going to be the first. He was just
thinking sensibly. "I knew the deadline was coming and wanted to get my
deposits in," he said. "My intent is to fish BASS, without a doubt.
That's where I created my livelihood and saw my career blossom."

The six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier has earned nearly $600,000 on
the BASS circuit since he entered in 1997. Today, his branding includes
major endemic sponsors Lucky Craft Lures, Champion Boats, Mercury
Marine, Terminator Lures and Berkley.

Now, four months before he fishes the Bassmaster Classic on Lake
Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla. and five months before beginning the
Bassmaster Elite Series, Reese is deep in preparation. He's meeting with
sponsors to secure a wrap on his boat and truck, researching lakes he
will fish and - like friends Marty Stone and Gerald Swindle - seizing
media opportunities to promote himself and his brand among what will be
a smaller group of the world's most premier anglers.

"We take advantage of every bit of media so we can expose ourselves to
other potential sponsors," Reese said. "Sometimes we're criticized for
being on TV too much but we're doing our jobs and too many anglers don't
see the business standpoint of fishing."

Indeed, Reese is more than an angler. He's a family man and business
entrepreneur and consciously juggles those roles with his fishing. It's
not uncommon for Reese to conduct a media interview with a newspaper
like the Wall Street Journal and then break away to compliment his
2-year-old daughter on her Halloween costume ("LeaMarie is a snow
angel," he says proudly.) He takes his wife Kim and daughter on the road
about two weeks each season, just enough time before they get tired of
traveling. He's also regular on the ESPN2 show Bass Tech. One would
imagine that Reese doesn't support an expanded Elite Series schedule,
but ironically, he does.

"I'm a big fan of the expanded Elite Series schedule," Reese said. "We
thrive on competition and that's what drives us. Fishing three months of
out the year doesn't quite cut it."

Reese says he "understands and respects" the major changes BASS has
implemented for the 2006 season, but isn't surprised that others don't
agree. Though change can be frightening, Reese is turning it into his
most valuable tool in his tackle box. "I believe the things you struggle
with the most are the things that make you grow the most."

BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than
20,000 events through the BASS Federation annually.
Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard
for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it
has for nearly 40 years.

BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and
culminates with the Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth
programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia
platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and
support to its nearly 550,000 members. The organization is headquartered
in Celebration, Fla.

ESPN OUTDOORS BASSMASTER SERIES EXPANDS IN 2006

Local Anglers Receive 40 Additional Weekend Tournaments
CELEBRATION, Fla. - Anglers who fish in the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster
Series in 2006 should be prepared for more opportunity on the water and
bigger prize purses.

Next year, BASS is increasing to six the number of regions and
increasing to five the number of divisions in the ESPN Outdoors
Bassmaster Series. Each division will now have four tournaments instead
of five. The changes mean another 40 one-day tournaments for total of
120. And because they stretch from Texas to Maine, BASS will reach more
local anglers than ever before.

The divisional tournaments will continue to host 200 boaters and
non-boaters each and the top 30 boaters and non-boaters in each division
advance to the regional tournament, where the field will be narrowed to
the top eight. Those eight boaters and non-boaters from each region will
advance to the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series National Championship
whose winner will advance to the 2007 Bassmaster Classic.

"We are very excited about the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series for
2006," said Bruce Mathis, director of ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
and the Women's Bassmaster Tour. "Based on the feedback we received from
anglers throughout the 2005 season, we have expanded our schedule to
cover a much larger area of the country and reach an even greater number
of anglers."

With more opportunity comes a larger prize purse. Boaters and
non-boaters will compete for a total prize purse of $55,055 in cash and
merchandise at each event, including a $7,500 boater top prize and
$3,750 non-boater top prize. Overall, BASS will pay 30 percent of the
field in 2006, up from 20 percent in 2005.

Additionally, BASS is enhancing its shared-weight program between
boaters and non-boaters in the Series. In 2006, non-boaters will need to
catch at least one bass to be eligible to share the weight of their
boaters. "We listened to angler feedback and they indicated the
importance of this new standard," Mathis said.

Plus, a second-chance tournament will be offered to those anglers who
paid to fish in all four one-day tournaments in their division, but did
not qualify for the regional tournament. The top eight boaters and
non-boaters from the second-chance tournament also will advance to the
National Championship and have a chance to qualify for the 2007
Bassmaster Classic.

Boater entry fees in 2006 will be $250 for each tournament. Non-boater
entry fees will be $125.

2006 ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series Schedule:

Northeast Region:

Ohio Valley
Columbus, Ohio Alum Creek 4/9/2006
St. Mary's, Ohio Grand lake 4/30/2006
Columbus, Ohio Alum Creek 6/11/2006
Sandusky, Ohio Lake Erie 9/10/2006

Liberty
Warren, Pa. Kinzua Reservoir 6/18/2006
Tafton, Pa. Lake Wallenpaupack 7/16/2006
Erie, Pa. Lake Erie 8/13/2006
Jamestown, N.Y. Chautauqua 9/17/2006

Capitol
Charles County, Md. Potomac River 4/24/2006
South Hill, Va. Lake Gaston 5/7/2006
Charles County, Md. Potomac River 5/21/2006
Charles County, Md. Potomac River 6/4/2006

Adirondack
Seneca Falls, N.Y. Cayuga Lake 6/25/2006
Plattsburgh, N.Y. Lake Champlain 8/6/2006
Clayton, N.Y. 1000 Islands 9/24/2006
Syracuse, N.Y. Oneida Lake 10/8/2006

Patriot
Plattsburgh, N.Y. Lake Champlain 7/9/2006
Mayfield, N.Y. Great Sacandaga 7/23/2006
Plattsburgh, N.Y. Lake Champlain 8/20/2006
Catskill, N.Y. Hudson River 10/1/2006

Northern Region:

North Star
Alexandria, Minn. Lake Le Homme Dieu 6/4/2006
Cross Lake, Minn. White Fish Chain 7/16/2006
Grand Rapids, Minn. Pokegama Lake 8/6/2006
Excelsior, Minn. Lake Minnetonka 9/17/2006

Badger
Pepin, Wis Mississippi River (3-4) 6/25/2006
Oshkosh, Wis. Winneconne Chain 7/30/2006
Madison, Wis. Madison Chain 8/13/2006
Hayward, Wis. Chippewa Flowage 10/1/2006

Wolverine
Grand River, Mich. Grand River 6/18/2006
Mt. Clement, Mich. Lake St. Clair 7/23/2006
Trenton, Mich. Detroit River 8/27/2006
Bay City, Mich. Saginaw Bay 9/24/2006

Prairie
Benton/West City, Ill. Rend Lake 4/2/2006
Shelbyville, Ill. Lake Shelbyville 4/30/2006
Ft. Madison, Iowa Mississippi River 7/9/2006
Savanna, Ill. Mississippi River 8/20/2006

Indy
Bloomington, Ind. Monroe Reservoir 4/9/2006
Bloomington, Ind. Monroe Reservoir 5/7/2006
Cannellton, Ind. Ohio River 6/11/2006
Jasper, Ind. Patoka Reservoir 9/10/2006

Midwest Region:

Hawkeye
Ft. Madison, Iowa Mississippi River 4/23/2006
Dubuque, Iowa Mississippi River 6/11/2006
TBD Mississippi River 7/16/2006
Burlington, Iowa Mississippi River 8/6/2006

GLOC
Grove, Okla. Grand Lake 3/12/2006
Grove, Okla. Grand Lake 5/21/2006
Grove, Okla. Grand Lake 6/25/2006
Grove, Okla. Grand Lake 9/17/2006

Jayhawk
Grove, Okla. Grand Lake 3/19/2006
Junction City, Kansas Milford Lake 4/9/2006
Wilson, Kansas Wilson Lake 9/10/2006
Eldorado, Kansas Eldorado Lake 10/1/2006

Show Me
Kimberling City, Mo. Table Rock Lake 3/26/2006
Stockton, Mo. Stockton Lake 4/30/2006
Warsaw, Mo. Truman Reservoir 8/27/2006
Lake Ozark, Mo Lake of the Ozarks 10/8/2006

Pioneer
Gilbertville, Ky. Kentucky Lake Side 4/2/2006
Eddyville, Ky. Lake Barkley Side 5/7/2006
Gilbertville, Ky. Kentucky Lake Side 8/20/2006
Eddyville, Ky. Lake Barkley Side 9/24/2006

Southeast Region:

Okeechobee
Okeechobee City, Fla. Lake Okeechobee 1/8/2006
Okeechobee City, Fla. Lake Okeechobee 2/5/2006
Clewiston, Fla. Lake Okeechobee 5/21/2006
Clewiston, Fla. Lake Okeechobee 6/25/2006

Cypress
Kissimmee, Fla. Lake Tohopekaliga 1/29/2006
Leesburg, Fla. Harris Chain 3/26/2006
Palatka, Fla. St. John's River 5/7/2006
Leesburg, Fla. Harris Chain 9/10/2006

Peach State
Millidgeville, Ga. Lake Sinclair 2/19/2006
LaGrange, Ga. West Point Lake 3/19/2006
Eufaula, Ala. Lake Eufaula 4/30/2006
Buckhead, Ga. Lake Oconee 6/11/2006

Palmetto
Manning, S.C. Santee Cooper 2/26/2006
Prosperity, S.C. Lake Murray 4/2/2006
Manning, S.C. Santee Cooper 4/23/2006
Prosperity, S.C. Lake Murray 6/4/2006

Granite
Seneca, S.C. Lake Keowee 2/12/2006
Seneca, S.C. Lake Hartwell 3/12/2006
Elberton, Ga. Lake Russell 4/9/2006
Thomson, Ga. Clark Hill Lake 9/24/2006

Southern Region:

Tiger
Alexander City, Ala. Lake Martin 2/12/2006
Eufaula, Ala. Lake Eufaula 4/23/2006
Columbiana, Ala. Lay Lake 6/4/2006
Selma, Ala. Alabama River 9/24/2006

Crimson
Guntersville, Ala. Lake Guntersville 3/5/2006
Rogersville, Ala. Lake Wheeler 3/26/2006
Gadsden, Ala. Neely Henry Lake 5/21/2006
Guntersville, Ala. Lake Guntersville 9/17/2006

Volunteer
Guntersville, Ala. Lake Guntersville 3/12/2006
Silver Point, Tenn. Center Hill Lake 4/2/2006
Smyrna, Tenn. Percy Priest Lake 6/18/2006
Gallatin, Tenn. Old Hickory Lake 8/27/2006

Bluegrass
Russell Springs, Ky. Lake Cumberland 3/19/2006
Scottsville, Ky. Barren River 4/30/2006
Carrollton, Ky. Ohio River 6/25/2006
Brandenburg, Ky. Ohio River 9/10/2006

Tar Heel
Henderson, N.C. Kerr Reservoir 5/7/2006
Henderson, N.C. Kerr Reservoir 6/11/2006
Lexington, N.C. High Rock Lake 7/9/2006
Henderson, N.C. Kerr Reservoir 8/13/2006

South Central Region:

Lone Star (Southeast Texas)
Huxley, Texas Toledo Bend Reservoir 3/5/2006
Huxley, Texas Toledo Bend Reservoir 5/7/2006
Jasper, Texas Sam Rayburn Reservoir 6/4/2006
Jasper, Texas Sam Rayburn Reservoir 10/1/2006

Razorback
Mt. Ida, Ark. Lake Ouachita 2/12/2006
Beaver, Ark. Beaver Lake 3/26/2006
Russellville, Ark. Lake Dardanelle 4/30/2006
Lake Village, Ark. Lake Chicot 9/24/2006

Sooner
Broken Bow, Okla. Broken Bow Lake 3/12/2006
Grove, Okla. Grand lake 4/2/2006
Wagoner, Okla. Three Forks 6/25/2006
Fort Gibson, Okla. Ft. Gibson Lake 7/30/2006

Chaparral (Central Texas)
Lewisville, Texas Lewisville Lake 3/19/2006
Willis Point, Texas Lake Tawakoni 4/9/2006
Corsicana, Texas Richland Chambers 6/11/2006
Log Cabin, Texas Cedar Creek 7/9/2006

Big River
Ridgeland, Miss. Ross Barnett Reservoir 2/5/2006
West Monroe, La. Ouachita River Basin 4/23/5006
Vicksburg, Miss Mississippi River 7/16/2006
Alexandria, La. Red River 9/10/2006

BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than
20,000 events through the BASS Federation annually. Guided by its
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BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and
culminates with the Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth
programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia
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