Abstract
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) coordinates with the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) on for fisheries management and research projects. Lake Mattamuskeet waters are jurisdictional waters with licensing requirements, as well as length and creel limits set by the Commission for the lake’s freshwater sportfish species. Important recreational fisheries for Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Sunfish Lepomis sp., and White Perch Morone americana exist in Lake Mattamuskeet and associated canals. His presentation will focus on recent research collaborations on fisheries surveys and aquatic vegetation at Lake Mattamuskeet. Kevin will provide insight on largemouth bass research to address angler concerns, as well as common carp removal and aquatic vegetation enhancement to improve water quality in association with the Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan.

Bio
Kevin Dockendorf is the coastal fisheries research coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.  Kevin grew up in New Hampton, Iowa, a small town in Chickasaw County in northeast Iowa, where he garnered his appreciation for nature through fishing ponds and rivers. With insight from his high school guidance counselor on a Fisheries and Wildlife Biology program, Kevin attended Iowa State University and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1996. Following graduation, Kevin worked for the Chickasaw County Conservation Board, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Illinois Natural History Survey. With an opportunity to attend the 1999 American Fisheries Society meeting in Charlotte, NC, Kevin met with Dr. Mike Allen from University of Florida that led to study black crappie at three Florida lakes. Kevin received his Master of Science from the University of Florida in 2002 and was hired as the assistant District 1 fisheries biologist in 2003. Kevin was promoted to the District 1 Fisheries Biologist in 2004 and then to his current position in 2009. Kevin has a diverse background in fisheries management and research in coastal North Carolina with a current focus on freshwater resident sportfish populations, freshwater and brackish habitats, and the anglers that pursue these fish in those habitats.