Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be conducting a voluntary survey of trophy largemouth bass at Lake Arlington. The survey is scheduled to continue through Sept. 30, 2004.

Parks and Recreation Department officials say the survey will help TPWD biologists keep track of the population trends of larger fish in Lake Arlington. Information obtained from the survey will also help improve the management of the largemouth bass population.

According to TPWD Assistant Fisheries Biologist Thomas Hungerford, a similar survey will also be conducted at Lake Fork in east Texas, which is known for its large populations of trophy bass. The surveys are being conducted by the TPWD Inland Fisheries Office in Fort Worth.

The survey involves volunteer anglers or fishermen who catch largemouth bass five pounds and heavier or 18 inches and longer. They are being asked to report their catch to the Lake Arlington Office located at 6300 W. Arkansas Lane.

When Lake Arlington officials are not available, anglers can report their catch by using a form, which can be deposited in a drop box located at the Lake Arlington Office. Anglers also have the option of maintaining catch records by using a reporting sheet designed by TPWD. The reporting sheet is available at the Lake Arlington Office or at www.aceacorn.com.

Reporting sheets should be returned to the Lake Arlington Office or mailed to the TPWD at 6200 Hatchery Road, Fort Worth, TX 76114. The Lake Arlington Office has a certified scale and measuring board to assist fishermen with weight and length estimates.