Delayed harvest season for trout starts across Eastern Tennessee today. However, due to above average water temperatures trout stocking in the Hiwassee River will be postponed until water temperatures are consistently below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sections of Buffalo Creek, Paint Creek, Tellico River and Hiwassee River will be catch and release only beginning Oct.
1. The Doe River and Piney River delayed harvest areas begin NoV. 1. During this time only artificial lures are permitted and the use or possession of bait is prohibited. These streams will be stocked with quality trout to provide a unique trout angling experience.
Trout require cold water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit to survive. Unfortunately the Hiwassee River is too warm to stock trout at this time, with temperatures fluctuating between 69 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Travis Scott, TWRA Region 3 streams fisheries biologist, sAId, “TWRA has a lot invested in producing these quality trout and want to be sure conditions are favorable before stocking to ensure longevity of the resource as well as prolonged opportunities for anglers.”
TWRA has funded a USGS temperature gauging station on the Hiwassee River. Biologists are monitoring the situation, and when temperatures reach favorable conditions stocking will begin.
Anglers can find stocking schedules at tnwildlife.org and view the temperature gauge at:https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tn/nwis/uv/?site_no=03556590&PARAmeter_cd=00400,00095,00010,00300,63680