The Vision and Purpose of the Indiana Striped Bass Association
By Dwight Scifres - Charter President of the ISBA June 2006

The Indiana Striped Bass Association (ISBA) is an independent and self-governing group of anglers dedicated to the conservation of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilus), Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilus x M. Chrysops), and their respective fisheries in the
State of Indiana.  The ISBA was formed as a non-profit organization and legal non-profit status is pending.

In plain language the ISBA is all about helping sustain, conserve, and expand the current striper and hybrid bass populations in Indiana waters.  We want to maintain the current fisheries in Indiana that have excellent striper and hybrid striped bass (wiper) fishing such as Cecil Harden and Monroe Reservoirs.  We want to be a positive influence in rebuilding marginal striper fisheries such as Brookville.  We want to educate fishermen at the newer striper and wiper fisheries such as Patoka Reservoir and Hardy Lake, and explore the possibility of introducing striped bass or hybrid striped bass in new fisheries that may benefit from the presence of these species.  We understand the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the key player in obtaining these goals, and consider ourselves an organization in a voluntary and friendly partnership with the IDNR.

The ISBA is an organization that may from time to time sponsor striper or wiper fishing tournaments.  However, we wish for it to be clearly understood by all that we are not now, nor do we ever intend, to be, a “tournament-oriented organization”.  For us at the
ISBA we view tournaments simply as a fundraising tool to help us achieve our goals of conserving and expanding the current striper and wiper populations in Indiana.  Therefore, we have the goal of conducting all tournaments as 100 percent “No-Kill” tournaments. This attitude is also reflected in our bylaws, press releases and our website.  We feel conducting tournaments in any other manner would be counter-productive to our stated goals.  

The Indiana Striped Bass Association has tasked itself with several key areas:

First, the preservation of current Striped Bass and Hybrid Bass Fisheries in Indiana

Second, the expansion of the Indiana Striped Bass Association has tasked themselves with expanding the Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass fisheries in the State of Indiana by working in conjunction with the Indiana DNR to identify public waters that are suitable habitat for Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass and that would also benefit from the introduction of these species.  These benefits would include, but are not limited to, stabilizing the fish population in the lake by controlling populations of various species of shad, and providing anglers with expanded angling opportunities, that would generate funds the Indiana DNR and respective local economies.  Also, the ISBA will concern itself  with water quality issues of public waterways that impact the Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass fisheries.

The Indiana Striped Bass Association has also tasked itself with promoting Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass fishing in the State of Indiana. This will be done by:

• Advocating and educating Indiana anglers on proper catch and release procedures

• Sharing information on effective tactics for Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass angling, among members and non-members alike

• Educating Indiana anglers on proper fish identification of Temperate Bass species;

• Working with the Indiana DNR by providing feedback on bag limits and size restrictions on specific fisheries; and

• Raising funds for research and stocking of Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass and assisting the Indiana DNR with said funds and manpower to help manage the resource.

By understanding and staying focused on the goals and vision outlined here, the Indiana Striped Bass Association shall be the key player in the successful continuance of the Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass fisheries in Indiana.