Angling for Answers
Forestry-wildlife juniors Xavier Kirker and Kade Evans studied the effectiveness of different baits on different fish species as part of their WNMU Natural Sciences coursework. Over three days, the anglers tested spinners, crank baits and worms (both live and rubber). They discovered that worms increased their chances of catching a fish — a finding that they discovered relevant across all species. “It’s important to know what fish enjoy,” Evans said, “and now we do.” Zoology junior Tori Pulliam and science/business marketing senior Danielle Barba Zoology junior Tori Pulliam and science/business marketing senior Danielle Barba both like to fish. They were experienced wish a rod and reel and guessed at some best angling practices. But they wanted to formally determine whether they’d have more success with live bait or fake bait. A #WNMU natural sciences project was just the ticket. Hypothesizing that the fish would prefer actual worms to fake...