Red Deer River anglers are being asked to share their fish stories.

The Red Deer River Angling Study was launched by three fish and game associations in 2012 to gather information on catches, including numbers and sizes of fish and where they were caught.

It is also hoped to get some more information on how many anglers are on the river to get a sense of “angler pressure,” on the resource, said Kelsey Kure, secretary of the Dickson Fish and Game Association

“When setting fishing regulations and limits and changes to regulations those are pretty important to know what your (fish) mortality rate would be.”

Fishers are also asked to rate their experiences on the river: Was it easy to catch fish? Was it a good experience, aggravating? Were the fish a good size?

“If they are having problems angling the Red Deer River we want to know about the common issues,” said Kure.

Data collected, either online, through smart phones or by dropping off questionnaire cards at a dozen collection baskets at popular fishing holes, will be used for the Red Deer River Fisheries Management Plan, which is being updated by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Kure said the study was to wrap last year but has been extended another season because last year’s flooding kept anglers off the river for weeks of prime summer fishing time.

Dickson, Drumheller and Red Deer Fish and Game Associations are all participating in the study and have representatives on the province’s Red Deer River Fisheries Management Committee.

The Dickson group has gathered about 100 responses so far and the other two associations combined have roughly the same number. More responses would be welcomed.

“The more data the better,” said Kure.

To get more information on the survey, including locations of collection points go to www.outdoorsmenforum.ca and click on fishing discussion.

pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com