While on patrol on Chickamauga Lake Saturday, Tenessee Wildlife Resources Agency Officers Christy Twilla and Matt Majors noticed what appeared to be a commercial fishing net floating just under the surface of the water. Upon closer inspection, the net had numerous dead and rotting fish in it. It also held several coots that had become entangled.
Majors said the net was twisted, not set properly and had obviously been abandoned and was a danger to other boaters.
Majors and Twilla hauled the net into the Wolftever Creek boat ramp. They found the net was not tagged with the owners name as required by law.
"The net appeared to be a legal sized net," said Majors. "However it was pulled in because it was damaging the fish populations and certain waterfowl. Once we pulled the net out of the water with the use of a truck, we found numerous catfish, drum, bass, and over 10 coots were all in the net, dead of course."
Majors went on to say, "In my experience, most commercial fishermen do tend their nets frequently. The nets are expensive and commercial fishing may be their livelyhood. However this is an example of how just one net can damage the resource."
Majos said all sportsmen and boates are encourcaged to call TWRA to report suspicious activity.
"Many of our violations are a direct result of attentive hunters and fishermen providing good tips to our officers," said Majors.