The 2015-16 state commercial fishing regulations were approved by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission at its September meeting which concluded Friday.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had made its proposals to the commission for 2015-16 during last month’s meeting. Fisheries Division Assistant Chief Frank Fiss made a presentation to review the proposals during this month’s committee meeting session. The commercial fishing regulations go into effect in November.
On the Hatchie River in West Tennessee, hoop nets, fyke nets, trap nets, and pound nets with a mesh size of one inch or smaller and/or three inches or larger on the square may be fished only during the months of October through April.
Species including the fathead minnow, golden shiner, inland silversides (dead only), and brook silversides (dead only) were added to the list of commercial fish species.
The TFWC voted to change the minimum pickup float dimensions to 8x5x2 inches and not allow the use of black and gray as colors. Hobbling limits were added to the definition of a gill net - A gill net may not be hobbled to less than two thirds of the net height. The definition of a turtle trap net was amended.
The commercial paddlefish season on the Mississippi River will now open at noon on Nov. 14. This is a change from the current starting date of midnight on Nov. 15.
The Daily Commercial Roe Fish Harvest Report was modified to include the recording of the raw drained egg weight from each fish.
In another agenda item, the TFWC approved a proclamation closing a section of Chilhowee Reservoir in East Tennessee because the reservoir will be drained 40 feet for dam inspection. The Little Tennessee River and its tributaries outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park from its confluence with Abrams Creek upstream to Calderwood Dam will be closed to fishing.
The 2016-17 sport fishing regulations will be set at the October meeting in Chattanooga. The TWRA continues to seek public comment on sport fishing recommendations made at the August meeting.
The TWRA is also seeking comment on a recent proposal that would extend the current regulations on smallmouth bass at Fort Loudoun and Tellico reservoirs into their headwater rivers. Currently there is an 18-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass on these reservoirs.
The proposal would extend the existing reservoir regulation for smallmouth bass upstream to Cherokee Dam on the Holston River, Douglas Dam on the French Broad River, and Tellico Plains at Highway 360 Bridge on Tellico River. No changes are proposed to the current bass creel limits in the reservoirs or rivers. On the Holston, French Broad and Tellico rivers, smallmouth bass are currently managed with a 13-17 inch protected length range allowing only one fish over 17 inches. The Agency has extended the deadline for comments to Oct. 9, 2015.
The first segment of the state’s dove hunting season began Sept. 1. An update of the opening segment was given by Mark Gudlin, acting chief of the Wildlife and Forestry Division. TWRA staff checked about 4,100 hunters on TWRA wildlife management areas and leased lands on opening day through the Labor Day holiday weekend. Hunters averaged a harvest of about 3.6 birds.
Roy Grimes, president of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) was at the meeting to review the TWRA’s support and work at the 2015 World NASP tournament held in Nashville in late July. TWRA Information and Education Division Assistant Chief, Don Crawford, gave a presentation on the latest statistics for NASP.
Jim Elkins, who has been employed with the TWRA, was recognized on Thursday for his 65 years of service. Mr. Elkins, who worked in TWRA’s Engineering Division, retired from the Agency in August.
Andrew Peercy, from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, gave an overview of last season’s Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target program. Several award winners were recognized during the meeting.