87-lb paddlefish tagged in 2007 caught again at 98 lbs, 18 years later

An impressive paddlefish, initially tagged in 2007, made headlines when an angler recaught it after an astonishing eighteen years. This ancient species revealed invaluable long-term growth data to scientists, adding eleven pounds and increasing its length by three inches. Such recaptures are pivotal, offering critical insights into fish survival and migration, underscoring the necessity of sustained fish tagging initiatives for conservation efforts.