According to the press notification the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has asked the authority to not open more waters to commercial paddlefish netting until further studies have been conducted. Bobby Wilson, fisheries division chief for the TWRA, informed the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission that the current paddlefish population, along with the possible harm that could come with sport fish being caught in the nets used to catch paddlefish, were key factors in the recommendation.
Commercial fishermen have asked that additional waters be opened to paddlefishing on Old Hickory, Cordell Hull, Melton Hill, Norris, Watts Bar and Tellico reservoirs. Wilson said during the meeting at Ellington Agricultural Center, that the TWRA is mandated by the commercial fishing law to develop a plan to study the opening of new waters for the possibility of paddlefish harvest.
He added that until further studies are completed no new water would open to paddlefish. The new studies are done to determine status of the paddlefish population as well as the potential effects on sport fish, the agency does not recommend the opening of any new waters at this time. The TWRC approved an amendment to allow more wild hogs to be killed during deer hunting seasons at Wildlife Management Areas of Alpine Mountain, Skinner Mountain and Standing Stone State Forest.
