We used to spend a lot of time and manpower on creel checks; interviews conducted at boat launches and fishing areas to determine what people are catching or not catching. This info provides for better management of natural resources but isn't always as thorough as desired. A new type of fishing tournament WDFW is partnering on could help gather this information much more efficiently and accurately. With the Bass Battles Newman Lake tournament in Eastern Washington, you can fish anytime over two weeks. Instead of a weigh in, you upload a photo of each fish caught to an app. You can see at all times who is in the lead. The data from all fish caught will be analyzed to produce a species population estimate for Newman Lake. This format of tournament is starting to be used around North America and could change what we know about each state's lakes.

Information on this tournament will also be presented at the American Fisheries Conference in Spokane in August.

So have fun, do some fishing, and help science!