While paddlefish populations are declining in parts of the country, Oklahoma’s numbers remain strong thanks to decades of conservation work by state wildlife experts.

The prehistoric American paddlefish, found in several Oklahoma lakes and rivers, including the Arkansas and Grand Rivers, continues to thrive under the management of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Fisheries biologist Jason Schooley, who helped lead the state’s paddlefish conservation program, said Oklahoma’s natural conditions have played a big role in sustaining the species.

"We have paddlefish that reproduce readily in Oklahoma," Schooley said. "While dams have caused populations to decline in other locations, we’re fortunate that they’ve somehow managed to still reproduce and grow and get world record

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