Project Description
Paddlefish request are made annually at stocking meetings held between the USFWS and the Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife (LDWFP). Paddlefish restoration efforts are aimed at certain river systems within the State of Louisiana. The responsibility of producing fingerling paddlefish for this effort is a shared responsibility of the Booker Fowler State Fish Hatchery, the Pvt. John Allen NFH and the Natchitoches NFH. Paddlefish brood are collected by the LDWFP, spawned at the Booker Fowler SFH and distributed to this facility for growout. Paddlefish production at this facility is carried out in three 4,000 gallon modular raceways. The raceways are fed from a reservoir pond that is supplied water by means of a deep water ground source well. The reservoir pond is filled 28 days prior to receipt of paddlefish fry. The raceways are filled one day prior to stocking. Cultured specimen feed on a planktonic diet that is supplemented with artificial feed. Paddlefish that are grown in this manner undergo a series of grading processes that ensure uniform growth. Typical growth periods range from 140 to 150 days. Ten inch fish are then harvested from the raceways and transported back to Booker Fowler SFH for tagging and stocking. All fish go through a fish health screening prior to distribution. This screening is performed by the Warm Springs Regional Fish Health Lab.
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