The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the 2016-17 state sport fishing regulations at its October meeting which concluded Friday.
The 2016-17 regulations will go into effect March 1, 2016. Several of the changes that will be on tap for anglers include size and creel limits on rivers and reservoirs across the state. Changes also will include state and agency lakes in West Tennessee.
The commission also heard a status report on elk in Tennessee located at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. Elk were reintroduced to the area in 2000 and December 2015 marks the 15th anniversary of the first elk release.
Steve Bennett, TWRA biologist at North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, and the Elk Restoration Project leader and Dan Gibbs, TWRA Region IV biologist, made the presentation. The report indicated that the elk herd is slowly increasing its numbers. New techniques are currently being studied to evaluate the populations.
The TWRA recognized the Tennessee Valley Authority, a long-time partner with the TWRA and TFWC. Recent significant topics include the financial assistance on access areas, birding trails, and the funding for two federal fish hatcheries in the state. On hand representing the TVA to receive a resolution noting the federal agency’s contributions and assistance to the TWRA, was Rebecca Tolene, TVA Vice-President of Natural Resources.
The annual awards for the Fisheries Division and the Wildlife and Forestry Division were presented together this year during the meeting. Glenn Brian, who works primarily in southern Middle Tennessee, was named the Fisheries Technician of the Year. Travis Scott, manager of Tellico Fish Hatchery, was the Fisheries Biologist of the Year.
The Wildlife and Forestry Division recognized its two annual award winners. Both come from TWRA Region III. Jeff Womac is the Wildlife Technician award winner while James “Wally” Akins is the Biologist of the Year.
In addition, Allen Herald who earlier was named the part-time Boating Officer of the Year, was introduced at this month’s meeting. It was the third time that he received the award.
The TFWC was given a presentation on the Quail Forever Farm Bill Habitat biologists program. There are now three biologists assisting landowners in the effort to help establish habitat for quail.
Also, an update was presented on the Moment of Free project. Shane Hall, who leads the project, said that more than 20 hunting blinds have been established since it was initiated and that close to $20,000 has been raised in contributions for the project so far in 2015.
Representatives from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation gave a report on the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program. The TFWC provides a grant to help fund the program. More than 2,100 currently participate in the program.
The meeting will be the TFWC’s last scheduled until a one-day meeting in Nashville on Friday, Dec. 11.
2016-17 Sport Fishing Changes
Region I
Pin Oak Lake (Natchez-Trace State Park)-Black bass: 12-16 inch PLR (slot limit), creel limit of 10 bass per day.
Beech River Watershed Lakes
Pine Lake: Largemouth bass - Creel limit of 10 bass per day
Dogwood and Redbud lakes: Largemouth bass – 12-16 inch PLR (slot limit), creel limit of 10 bass per day.
Region II
Elk River and its tributaries from Tims Ford Dam downstream to I-65 Bridge
1. 20-inch minimum length limit for Brown Trout, 1 fish daily.
2. Creel limit of 7 trout per day (all species in combination).
Campbell Lake (Maury County)
Grass carp may not be harvested.
Region III
Cordell Hull Reservoir
Largemouth bass- 15-inch minimum length limit, creel limit of 5/day in combination with other bass species.
Parksville Reservoir
Largemouth bass- 15-inch minimum length limit, creel limit of 5/day in combination with smallmouth bass.
Watts Bar Reservoir
Paddlefish - Reduce creel limit from 2 to 1 per day.
Region 4
Douglas Reservoir
October 16-May 31: 15-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass with a creel limit of 5/day in combination with other bass species.
June 1-October 15: 18-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass. Only one smallmouth bass may be harvested as part of 5/day bass creel limit.
Smallmouth bass regulations on Douglas Reservoir will be extended upstream to the Highway 321 bridges on the French Broad and Pigeon rivers.
Cherokee Reservoir
October 16-May 31: 15-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass with a creel limit of 5/day in combination with largemouth bass.
June 1-October 15: 18-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass. Only one smallmouth bass may be harvested as part of a 5/day creel limit in combination with largemouth bass.
Smallmouth bass regulations on Fort Loudoun Reservoir will be extended upstream on the French Broad River to Douglas Dam.
Crayfish Restrictions
Crayfish harvested for food from the French Broad, Holston, and Clinch rivers and their tributaries shall not be possessed alive away from the body of water from which they were harvested. Crayfish harvested for bait in these watersheds may be used as live bait, but may not be moved from the water body of capture.