Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State

10/23/2026

Feel Good Friday 😊🍩

Nothing makes us smile more than seeing students engaged, learning, and having fun! From doughnuts and conversations to hands-on lessons in the classroom and learning experiences outdoors, moments like these remind us what makes the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State such a special place.

We're grateful to be part of a community where curiosity is encouraged, friendships are formed, and every day brings new opportunities to learn and grow. Seeing these smiling faces is one of the best parts of being part of ! 💚

10/21/2026

🐟🌎 Mississippi State University is leading a new international effort focused on strengthening aquatic food systems through research, innovation, and collaboration.

Supported by a five-year award from the U.S. Department of State, including $8 million in first-year funding, the new Fish Innovation Lab will advance research that strengthens global aquaculture and fisheries while creating benefits for U.S. agriculture, industry, and food security.

Housed within MSU's Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security, the lab will support work in aquaculture, fish health, nutrition, food security, and sustainable fisheries.

We're proud to have our Drs. Wes Neal and Sandra Correa contributing to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State component of this effort. Dr. Neal serves as a technical lead, working in collaboration with Dr. Correa. The team plans fisheries management and aquaculture development initiatives in Ecuador and potentially other target countries. Their contributions will help advance science-based solutions that improve food security, support sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, and benefit communities around the world.

📖 Read more from Newsroom at the link in the comments.

10/20/2026

🐟🌊 Students in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State recently gained hands-on experience in fish sampling during a workshop hosted by the Mississippi State University American Fisheries Society student sub-unit on the Luxapallila River!

Participants learned how to use seine nets to collect fish, practice standardized sampling techniques, calculate catch per unit effort (CPUE), and prepare voucher specimens. Specimens collected during the workshop will become part of Mississippi State University's ichthyological collection.

The group also explored the remarkable biodiversity of the Mobile Basin and discussed the importance of conserving its native aquatic communities. From pulling seines to identifying native fish species, students had the opportunity to build practical skills while experiencing fisheries science in the field.

Experiences like these help prepare the next generation of fisheries professionals through hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world research opportunities.

Photos taken by grad student Paul Kameen.

10/16/2026

🦌🎙️ Be sure to catch Dr. Eric Michel and Dr. Jacob D***s from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State on Mossy Oak GameKeepers!

From velvet shedding and bachelor groups to early-season deer behavior and new population data, they cover a wide range of deer research topics while offering a preview of an exciting new research project coming soon from the MSU Deer Lab. 🦌

🎙️ Watch the full episode at the link in the comments! 🔗

10/16/2026

🦌 MSU Deer Lab Students Share Research at Clark Fest 2026

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State graduate students Parker Kreie and Logan Maier recently represented the MSU Deer Lab at Clarke Fest in Quitman, Mississippi. Formerly known as the Clarke County Forestry and Wildlife Festival, the event is reconnecting with its roots in forestry, wildlife conservation, and natural resource education.

The festival provided a valuable opportunity for community members to connect with MSU Deer Lab students and learn more about deer management, food plots, deer movement, and deer foraging habits.

Opportunities like Clarke Fest are one of the many ways Mississippi State University students apply their knowledge beyond the classroom. Parker and Logan engaged directly with landowners, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts while sharing research-based wildlife management information with the public.

We're proud of our students for serving as ambassadors for the MSU Deer Lab and helping connect science with the communities it serves.

10/15/2026

🎣🐟 Ready to prove you're the top angler on campus? Join the Fishissippi State 2026-27 Fishing Competition, hosted by Mississippi State University American Fisheries Society!

From September 11, 2026, through May 3, 2027, Mississippi State University students can compete for scholarship prizes while exploring Mississippi's incredible fish diversity.

🏆 Competition Categories
• Most Species Caught - $50 Scholarship Prize
• Largest Fish (Any Species) - $50 Scholarship Prize
• Largest Bass (Hook & Line Only) - $50 Scholarship Prize

✅ Who Can Participate?
Current MSU students enrolled during the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semesters.

✅ How to Qualify
• Pay your annual club dues ($15) and receive a competition pin at no additional cost, OR
• Purchase a competition pin for $3 through MSU AFS.

📸 How to Enter
This competition uses iNaturalist for submissions.

• Photograph your catch with the competition pin visible.
• For length-based categories, place the fish on a measuring board or next to a tape measure with the left side facing up.
• Upload your observation to the Fishissippi State iNaturalist project and include the fish's length in the description when applicable.

👉 Use the submission QR code to upload your photos and observations.
📖 Use the rules QR code to register and view the complete competition guidelines. 🎣🐟

🎓 Whether you're fishing on weekends, conducting fieldwork, or volunteering on fisheries projects, every observation can help you climb the leaderboard. Get outside, explore Mississippi's waters, and start logging your catches! 🎣🐟🏆

Grab your rod, explore waters, and start logging your catches!

10/14/2026

🐢 Can working forests help conserve the Gopher Tortoise, one of the South's most iconic species?

The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State's Dr. Scott Rush and research associate Duston Duffie co-authored a study with the Weyerhaeuser Company, the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. (NCASI), and the State of Louisiana examining how forest management practices affect Gopher Tortoise populations in private working forests across Louisiana and Mississippi.

Because nearly 70% of potential Gopher Tortoise habitat is privately owned, understanding how these threatened reptiles use managed forest landscapes is critical to their long-term conservation. The study found that tortoises can thrive in working forests where suitable sandy soils are present and forest stands are managed with relatively low tree density.

The findings demonstrate how sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation can work hand in hand to support Gopher Tortoise populations across the region.

📖 Read the article, "Habitat Associations of Two Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Populations Within Private, Working Forests in Louisiana and Mississippi," published in Ichthyology & Herpetology, at the PDF link in the comments.

10/13/2026

🦆🌿 Another great Wetlands Ecology field trip is in the books!

Students in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State recently traveled to the Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center at the Memphis Pyramid as part of Dr. Brian Davis's Wetlands Ecology class for a day of learning, conservation, and fun.

The class explored the history of Ducks Unlimited, heard from DU scientists about wetlands conservation and waterfowl management, got a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast studio, and wrapped up the trip with lunch at Huey's.

Experiences like these help connect classroom concepts to real-world conservation while giving students the opportunity to learn directly from professionals in the field.

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

🌱 Can you identify 10 plant species in the field? 🌱

Students in Dr. Ray Iglay's Wildlife Plant ID (WFA 4223/6223) course in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State recently put their knowledge to the test during a hands-on plant identification quiz. After studying more than 50 plant species throughout the semester, students worked in teams to survey assigned quadrants, identify plants, and discuss key characteristics, differences among species, and their occurrence across the landscape.

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the student experience at , where classroom knowledge is reinforced through real-world application in the field.