The study will help the department learn how many catfish fishermen catch, as well as other statistics, like the size of the fish and how far the fish swim.

The department tagged more than 6,000 blue and flathead catfish. Fishermen who catch a catfish with a pink tag can get $150, while green tags are worth $25.

"Fishing's fun. And you know, if you can come out and fish and catch a fish with a tag on it, you know and get some money out of it...That's gotta be even more fun," fisherman Mike Cooper said.

Cooper thinks the study might even encourage people to fish.

"I think the program that the conservation department is doing is really good for people's awareness of fishing on the Missouri River and will bring people out here and they'll have a good experience and they'll want to come back." Cooper said.

To help in the study, fishermen need to report where and how they caught the fish and its length.

The 5-year study ends in 2010.