Integrating standardized fisheries data to allow informed management decisions in Ohio's inland reservoirs

In the mid-1990’s, the Ohio Division of Wildlife began standardizing sampling equipment and survey design for characterizing inland reservoir fish populations.  The goal of creating a standardized Inland Management System (IMS) was to provide data for fisheries managers that allowed for valid interpretations and comparisons between and among lakes throughout the state.  This process evolved from focusing on standardization of equipment and sampling design to include standardized data management and reporting.  Sharing and archiving the data were acknowledged as critical components of a successful standardized sampling program, so the Ohio Fisheries Information System (OFIS) database was developed.  Originally designed as a Microsoft Access® database, OFIS developed through time into a suite of applications and technologies for storing, analyzing, and summarizing data on a statewide, standardized, level that provides fisheries managers and researchers necessary tools for informed resource management.  Through the vertical integration of fisheries data, managers can efficiently analyze data on a statewide perspective, providing insight for fisheries management decisions and highlighting opportunities for anglers.