Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tellico Hatchery in Monroe County has wrapped up the 2015 Rainbow Trout stocking season with record numbers. The stocking season for Tellico River and Citico Creek extends from mid-March through mid-September. A grand total of 97,647 fish were released from the hatchery, significantly enhancing angling opportunities.
“We take great pride in growing healthy, sizable fish” said Travis Scott, Tellico Hatchery manager. “Roughly 850 of the fish released had reached an average of three pounds.” Mr. Scott and the other employees at the hatchery enjoy hearing from the many anglers catching these quality fish. “It is very rewarding to know we positively impact angling experiences in Tennessee.”
The Tellico Hatchery, a cold water hatchery, was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1930 and 1941. Tennessee’s only native trout, brook trout, along with rainbow and brown trout are grown at the hatchery. Total hatchery numbers for rainbow trout during the 2015 stocking include 66,660 rainbow trout with a combined weight of 44,010 pounds, stocked into the Tellico River and 30,987 rainbow trout with a combined weight of 21,496 pounds, stocked into Citico Creek. In addition, 850 trout were Tellico Trophies. Tellico Trophies are brood fish from Erwin National Hatchery that are sent to Tellico Hatchery and grown to larger sizes, 3-6 pounds or more, and stocked throughout the season.
A Tellico/Citico permit Type 98 is required and both the Tellico River and Citico Creek are closed Thursday and Friday through Sept. 15. Delayed Harvest season begins Oct. 1, on Tellico River. From Oct. 1 until March 14 the area from North River to the NC state line is catch and release and only artificial lures are permitted. Tellico Hatchery will stock this section of river with plenty of nice rainbows for anglers. Green Cove Pond will continue to be stocked weekly. Green Cove Pond is located in the Cherokee National Forest and is open to children under age 13, adults 65 and older and persons that possess any of the resident permanent licenses, Type 197, 189, 198, 199 or 169. A Tellico/Citico Type 98 permit is required to fish Green Cove Pond and Green Cove Pond is closed Thursday and Friday all year. Tellico Hatchery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information visit tnwildlife.org.