The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission heard several topics concerning commercial fishing and also approved the 2012 sport fishing regulations among business at its October meeting which concluded Friday.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency staff responded to the recommendations from the Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee that was established recently by the Tennessee General Assembly. The volunteer CFAC committee is entirely comprised of nine members of the commercial fishing community and made several recommendations to the TWRA at its initial meeting in August 2011.
Among the CFAC recommendations were eliminating the size limit restriction on big catfish and the opening of six new waters to commercial fishing. These waters are Norris, Watts Bar, upper Old Hickory, Cordell Hull, Melton Hill, and Tellico reservoirs.
The TWRA responded that the big catfish regulation also affects sport fishing. Therefore, the agency recommends seeking more input from the sport fishing public.
“We will consider this recommendation by the CFAC in our discussion at our annual fisheries biologists meeting in May 2012,” said Bobby Wilson, TWRA Fisheries Division chief.
Commercial fishermen are only seeking the harvest of paddlefish in five of the six new waters CFAC recommends opening. Paddlefish are sought after primarily for its roe which is sold as caviar in this country and abroad.
“The TWRA is mandated by the commercial fishing law (T.C.A. Section 70-2-301) to develop a plan to study the opening of new waters for the possibility of paddlefish harvest," said Mr. Wilson. "Until the plan is developed and studies are completed to determine status of the paddlefish population as well as the potential effects on sport fish, the agency does not recommend the opening of any new waters at this time.”
The TWRC previously asked TWRA staff to explore the options concerning the possibility of establishing a fishing guide license. TWRA staff presented three options concerning a possible fishing guide license during its September meeting held in Jackson. At this month’s meeting, the TWRC elected to postpone taking any action at this meeting. However, the guide license will be addressed after a comprehensive review of all user groups in tailwaters and streams.
The 2012 sport fish regulations were approved by the commission. The regulations feature only slight changes from last year concerning size and creel limit at selected locations.
Among the changes for 2012:
Increase the creel limit on largemouth bass at Gibson County Lake in West Tennessee from 5 to 10 fish per day.
At Lake LaJoie and Lake Placid at Chickasaw State Park in West Tennessee, replace the current 15-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass with a 14-18 inch slot limit and a creel limit of 10 fish per day, only one of which can be over 18 inches.
At Ft. Patrick Henry Reservoir in East Tennessee, place an 18-inch minimum size limit on walleye with a creel limit of five fish per day.
Redefine the Boone Reservoir boundary in East Tennessee for fish regulation purposes on the South Fork Holston River Arm from the Highway 11E Bridge to the Highway 37 Bridge at Bluff City.
In other business at the meeting, a proclamation was approved to establish the McGlothin Largen WMA. Gerald Largen has donated approximately 112 acres to TWRA and the WMA name is a combination of the family names of his parents. The McGlothins and Largens have owned the property for almost 50 years. The property is located in Roane County along the main channel of the Tennessee River downstream from Kingston. An official dedication ceremony will be announced for a later date.
TWRA staff presented information about a recent public meeting in Kingsport and on written comments received about duck hunting near residences in the Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir area. The TWRA recommended increasing more public awareness, mainly through the erection of signs, reminding hunters of the allowed area and distances for hunting.
The TWRC also heard a presentation from Don McKenzie, a representative of the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, on the restoration of the bobwhite quail population. Jon Jordon, a local trout angler, made a presentation on the trout management on the Caney Fork River.
The TWRC approved an amendment to a proclamation to authorize the taking of wild hogs in conjunction with deer seasons at three additional Wildlife Management Areas. The three WMAs are Alpine Mountain, Skinner Mountain and Standing Stone State Forest, all located in TWRA Region III.
The TWRC final meeting of the calendar year will be held Dec. 8-9. The December meeting will also be held at TWRA Region II Ray Bell Building in Nashville.