2012 Conservation Home Page

New Mexico BASS Federation Nation Conservation Director - Earl Conway

The mission of the New Mexico BASS Federation Nation Conservation Program is to provide conservation leadership by developing and supporting actions to protect, improve and sustain quality aquatic resources and user access. As role models, we continue to improve fishing through education, partnerships, communication and strong advocacy for sport fishing and sound natural resource management.

Breaking News - New Mexico wins the Berkley Conservation Award! The NMBFN will receive $2000 and recognition at the

2012 Bassmaster Classic for experiments with suspended spawning platforms. Special thanks to everyone that supported the project and to

Berkley and the people at Pure Fishing.

The ROSWELL Event

These aliens showed up in New Mexico around 1985 near Roswell. Millions of them now live at the Roswell Zoo

and in the Pecos river. Scientists named them .parvum but we call them Golden algae and they kill millions of fish every year in the southwest.

The Albuquerque Hawg Hunters (Earl) and the Pecos Valley Bassmasters (Russell Whited) are heading up a project to combat these critters at Spring River Park at the zoo and we are going to need some volunteers this winter and spring. The results of the project will be used to develop options for Brantley and the rest of the lower Pecos lakes. The project is supported by the New Mexico Game and Fish, the Reservoirs Fish Habitat Partnership ($10,000 grant) and the City of Roswell. This is a fantastic opportunity for New Mexico to step up and have a major impact on a national threat to bass and other warm water species. Please join in the effort.

To find out more about the project or volunteer services, supplies or otherwise donate to the cause, contact Earl Conway

Want to improve the fishing in your local lake, habitat improvement is easier to do than most people think. Feel free to give me a call or visit the National Habitat Team Share Page. There are examples of projects that range from Christmas tree piles and spider blocks to artificial engineered habitats. Of course we need to get permission from the water authorities but most of the time, that can be done.

For more information on how you can prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species go to: Quagga or http://www.100thmeridian.org/zebras.asp

Conservation Director

Earl Conway

505.610.5156

Contact Earl Conway via email

New Mexico BASS Federation Nation Conservation Program News and Tips:

New New Mexico Bass Plate -Click Plate For Order Form
Get that hook out! Recent research shows that deep hooked fish have a much better chance if the hook is removed instead of cutting the line and hoping it will rust out. New hook materials and coatings are protecting the hook from rust and digestive juices so the fish actually has to either pass the hook or ulcerate to the point the hook falls out. Either way, it is better to risk short term injury during removal than to leave the hook in the fish. The In-fisherman recently published an excellent article with diagrams on how to remove the hook. Most of us have been afraid to touch the gills, but they aren't as fragile as we once thought. Another tip if the fish does start to bleed is to pour a little carbonated citrus soda (Sprite or 7-Up) on the wound and the bleeding should stop immediately. Keep a fish survival kit in your boat with a fizzing needle, hook remover and a small bottle of Sprite. Not only will your fish live to be released, you won't see that dead fish deduction on your weigh-in slip.

Fizz Your Bass! Fizz your fish if needed but don’t over-fizz. Watch this YouTube video "Fizz your Bass" and ask Earl Conway for a deflation needle to carry in your boat if you don’t have one. He can also help you learn how to do it. This may be very important at Navajo as we may be fishing deeper than last year.

The Mussels are coming! A reference in the Mussel Wars shown on USGS mussel map. We must do everything we can to slow their invasion and prepare for the day when our waters become infested. For now, let’s do what we can to help educate others about the issue and keep a close eye out for boathouse and other recreational boats coming in from other states that may be infested. Report any suspected boats to the AIS hotline at 1-877-786-7267