The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Fish and Boat Commission announced registration is now open for the sixth annual Black Bass Workshop, May 5-6, at Lake Wallenpaupack in Wayne County.

This year, "Assessing Black Bass Resources" will focus on black fisheries habitat management at national, state and local levels.

The workshop is designed to offer bass anglers, biologists, conservation officers, resource managers and facility managers a chance to exchange ideas, information, and knowledge pertaining to the management of bass fisheries, bass habitat, bass angling, and recreational facilities. Boat launches and weigh-in facilities also will be discussed.

Besides the PFBC and DCNR's Bureau of State Parks, other workshop co-hosts include PPL, Pa. Bass Federation Inc., N.Y. Bass Federation Inc., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Marsh Creek Bass Club Ltd.

In addition, discussions on black bass habitat management methods in lakes, impoundments and rivers in both Pennsylvania and New York are planned. Other topics to be discussed are: "Keeping Bass Alive," "Black Bass Health Issues," and "Fishing During the Spawn."

Started in 1999 and held at a different lake site each year, the workshop this year will be based at PPL's Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center. The workshop is open to anyone interested in black bass conservation. Organizers invite attendees to share their knowledge and experience with other bass anglers, tournament organizers, fisheries biologists, park managers, and state and federal agency administrators.

For registration information and other details, visit the Black Bass Workshop webpage or contact Denise Wenrich at Bureau of State Parks, 2808 Three Mile Run Road, Perkasie, Pa., 18944-2065; telephone 215- 453-5000; email dwenrich@state.pa.us .

2/24/2006