Anglers are reminded of a fishing from a boat closure in a section on the lower end of Cherokee Lake which is in effect from July 15 through September 15, says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
The closure applies to a zone enclosed by lines from the TVA boat ramp at the south end of the dam across the lake to Point 2, from Point 2 to Point 3, and from Point 3 back across the lake to the TWRA boat ramp at the north end of the dam. A map of this zone can be found on page 6 of the 2002 Tennessee Fishing Brochure.
All bank fishing will be open and the coves along the southeast shoreline will be open to fishing from a boat, but no fishing for any species will be allowed from a boat in the described zone from July 15 through Sept. 15.
This closure is necessary because of the excessive catch and release mortality on striped bass that was taking place in that section of the lake during the hot summer months. Even though the fish were being released, many were dying from stress.
The closure does not prohibit fishermen from transporting fish, which were caught in other portions of the lake, across the zone.
Fishing for striped bass and all other species remains open over the rest of Cherokee Lake.