TVA invites anglers to help survey sport fish

TVA is inviting anglers in the Tennessee Valley to help survey the sport fish population in main Tennessee River reservoirs this spring.

2009 Spring Sportfish Survey Schedule
Reservoir	Date
Wilson	March 17-18
Nickajack	March 19
Chickamauga	March 24-26
Guntersville	March 31-April 2
Wheeler	April 7-9
Pickwick	April 14-16
Watts Bar	April 21-23
Ft. Loudoun	April 28-30
Douglas	May 12-14

Beginning in mid-March and continuing through April, TVA will collect data on sport fish such as bluegill, black bass, and crappie as part of its annual spring sport fish survey.

Fish will be caught using boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment. The units stun the fish momentarily, and they float to the surface for evaluation. Information such as abundance, distribution, age, relative weight, and general health is collected and recorded.

Once weighed, measured, and counted, the fish are released unharmed. Results from TVA’s fish surveys are used by state agencies to protect and improve sport fishing.

Volunteers with life jackets may join survey crews in TVA boats, or they can follow in personal boats.

The TVA survey has been conducted in the Tennessee River since 1995. If you are interested in participating, call TVA’s Environmental Information Center at 1-800-882-5263 or send an e-mail using the EIC Web site.

 

This just in…

Guntersville Reservoir was termed “one of the top fisheries in North America” after 21 anglers brought in five-bass limits weighing over 20 pounds in the first day of the FLW Tour season opener on February 12. FLW, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world.