CARBONDALE, Ill. — A three-degree graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale who has left quite a mark on fishery research is happiest when he’s casting for his favorite species.

But his catches now aren’t for research. These days, Roy Heidinger simply loves fishing and does as much as he can since he retired from SIUC as its Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center director.

“I love to go after a lot of different fish, but among my favorite is the snook, in Florida, and I also love Oscar. I love to eat both, in addition to yellow perch and bluegill,” Heidinger said.

While he said he eats fish at least two or three times a week, he remains a big catch-and-release fisherman and is a researcher at heart. For his decades of work, the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is giving  Heidinger its special recognition award for 2012.

James E. Garvey, current director of SIUC’s center, said Heidinger is world-renowned for his contributions to fisheries management in freshwater, especially for lakes and large rivers in the Midwest.

“His research on largemouth bass, one of the most important sport fish in the U.S., is classic,” Garvey said. “Roy retired in 2000 but remains active in fisheries research and training at the university. His students have become managers within natural resource agencies and fisheries educators across the country.”

Heidinger received his doctorate in zoology in 1970, and taught at SIUC until he was appointed the aquaculture center director in 1986. During his tenure, he promoted the expansion of the laboratory’s research scope and facilities, including a “wet lab,” a pond research complex and special buildings to house fisheries equipment and boats.

The Hayward, Wis.-based Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame promotes education and recognition fresh-water sportfishing. The group recognizes people, organizations and institutions that have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport; it also compiles and publishes all sportfishing records.

Heidinger traveled throughout North America conducting research on black bass management practices, even working with Cuban officials in the 1970s to strengthen several largemouth bass reservoirs. His work with the fish culminated in his writing its synopsis for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Heidinger’s research and teaching of fish-aging methods to more than 50 graduate students that have become biologists for many state agencies promoted the alteration of aging techniques for many fish species across North America. He helped develop a chemical marking method (oxytetracycline), now widely used for fish marking; investigated the use of threadfin shad, gizzard shad and inland silversides as prey for sport fishes; and was instrumental in developing strategies for stocking ponds with hybrid sunfish.

“He is an avid fisherman, spending much of his spare time with a fishing pole in our local rivers,” Garvey said. “He’s a passionate advocate for sportfishing and an integral, valued member of our program here at SIU Carbondale.”