Dr Luke, Iowa, Like Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and many other states have biologists that look at what is on paper only when it comes to what a fish consumes. they either refuse to accept, or never care enough to find out what many empirical examples prove. I recently had to get a "special permit" to stock Hybrid Crappie in Iowa. The first request was denied, since the "Approved Aquatic Species List" in Iowa had White Crappie and Black Crappie listed as approved, but did NOT include, "or their hybrids" as it did for Bluegill, white bass, or striped bass.
After the applicant called and argued that both white and black crappie exist together in the same waters in Iowa, there MUST be natural Hybridization occurring. He further argued he wanted Hybrid Crappie because studies show recruitment is poor and that is why the state had not KNOWINGLY discovered Hybrid Crappie as an indigenous species. After arguing his points, the application was granted.
Further, the state liked the idea of a Crappie that had less, or no fear of overpopulating smaller waters, they asked the person stocking the HBCP to keep records on reproduction so they could encourage HBCP stocking to Iowan's in the future.
