University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division

Finding Public Bodies of Water In Bluegrass Region That are Eligible For KDFWR FINS Program

Presenter Hometown

Independence

Major

Biology

Department

Geosciences

Degree

Undergraduate

Mentor

F. Tyler Huffman

Mentor Department

Geosciences

Abstract

The design of this project is to identify potential public bodies of water that could be converted to Fishing In Neighborhoods (FINs) lakes. This program is run by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources; (KDFWR) created the FINs program in 2006 to provide quality fishing opportunities near cities of all sizes throughout the state. The current 45 lakes are regularly stocked with catfish and rainbow trout throughout the year, the sunfish and bass populations are also regularly sampled to ensure natural reproduction is meeting the needs of anglers. This project could potentially improve socially disadvantaged anglers by providing greater access and opportunities. This connection or reconnection with nature has been shown to benefit improved mental health and therefore positively impacting citizens of the Commonwealth. While directly working in the FINs program at Peter W. Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery (near Frankfort), during the summer of 2021, a comprehensive understanding of program requirements was obtained. In taking part of both fish management (spawning, growth, and development) and also transporting/stocking species for the FINs program lakes, an evaluation of the body of waters was performed. That evaluation resulted in a profile of the needs of a successful project. In order to qualify and evaluate conditions of each body of water in the project area, these parameters were determined and then calculated in ArcGIS using spatial analysis tools such as extract, overlays, and proximity. These results were then prioritized using previous knowledge and were assigned varying levels of potential success that would meet KDFWR’s guidelines.

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Finding Public Bodies of Water In Bluegrass Region That are Eligible For KDFWR FINS Program

The design of this project is to identify potential public bodies of water that could be converted to Fishing In Neighborhoods (FINs) lakes. This program is run by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources; (KDFWR) created the FINs program in 2006 to provide quality fishing opportunities near cities of all sizes throughout the state. The current 45 lakes are regularly stocked with catfish and rainbow trout throughout the year, the sunfish and bass populations are also regularly sampled to ensure natural reproduction is meeting the needs of anglers. This project could potentially improve socially disadvantaged anglers by providing greater access and opportunities. This connection or reconnection with nature has been shown to benefit improved mental health and therefore positively impacting citizens of the Commonwealth. While directly working in the FINs program at Peter W. Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery (near Frankfort), during the summer of 2021, a comprehensive understanding of program requirements was obtained. In taking part of both fish management (spawning, growth, and development) and also transporting/stocking species for the FINs program lakes, an evaluation of the body of waters was performed. That evaluation resulted in a profile of the needs of a successful project. In order to qualify and evaluate conditions of each body of water in the project area, these parameters were determined and then calculated in ArcGIS using spatial analysis tools such as extract, overlays, and proximity. These results were then prioritized using previous knowledge and were assigned varying levels of potential success that would meet KDFWR’s guidelines.