TWRA Offices

Tennessee's Lake Sturgeon Project

Lake sturgeon are a primitive species that can grow to 8 ft. in length, weigh up to 300 pounds, and live for 150 years. Since 2000, over 300,000 lake sturgeon have been stocked into the French Broad and Holston rivers near Knoxville and the Cumberland River near Nashville. These stocking efforts are designed to restore reproducing populations of this primitive species. This species is known to travel long distances, so it is very likely that anglers could catch lake sturgeon in other waters of the state.

Angler reports are important to TWRA because they provide important information needed to monitor the success of Tennessee’s lake sturgeon program.

If you catch a lake sturgeon, please be as careful as possible not to harm the fish-avoid holding the lake sturgeon by their tails and remember fish cannot breathe while they are out of the water. Lake sturgeon are endangered in Tennessee and should be released immediately. If possible, note an approximate length before the fish is released. Additionally, a photo of your catch would be appreciated if you can do so without harming the fish.

You can email details (including photos) of your catch to [email protected] or your local regional office number. In appreciation of your efforts, you will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the TWRA.

What can you do to prevent the spread of whirling disease?

• CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY. Clean all equipment, such as waders, fishing gear, boats, trailers, and float tubes of mud before leaving an area when fishing. Careful cleaning using disinfectants such as bleach will kill this parasite and many other aquatic nuisance species. Drain water from all motor units, live wells and buckets.
• DO NOT transport live fish from one waterbody to another.
• DO dispose of fish parts carefully when cleaning fish (dry disposal in garbage is best).
• CONTACT US if you observe signs of whirling disease in fish.
  [email protected]
  Please provide a location and picture of the fish if possible.

Contaminants

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Division of Water Pollution Control issues advisories for the consumption of fish from certain Tennessee waters. The following information is subject to change and was copied from TDEC’s site. Concerned individuals should visit TDEC’s site for more information about these advisories, bacteriological advisories, and tips on how to reduce risks from contaminated fish.

For specific information regarding aquatic contaminants or affected waters, contact:

TDEC’s Water Pollution Control Office

615-532-0703

https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/watershed-stewardship/bacteriological-and-fishing-advisories.html

Tennessee First Fish Award—FREE!

The First Fish Award is designed to commemorate that special moment in every boy or girl’s life—the landing of their first fish.

The award is an 8.5 x 11 certificate, suitable for framing, identifying the child, the fish caught, and other details of that special moment. Size of the fish and age of the angler have no bearing, only that the fish is their first and that it was caught in Tennessee.

Visit www.tnwildlife.org or call
(615) 781-6575 for further information.

Show Your Support with a TWRA License Plate!

Money from the sale of specialty plates is available to the TWRA to fund wildlife habitat protection and enhancement programs, provide public hunting and fishing access, support law enforcement efforts, and improve youth education projects.

TWRA’s smallmouth bass license plate is available at county clerk’s offices throughout the state. This plate features a smallmouth bass created by renowned wildlife artist Al Agnew from a print titled “Sunlight on Bronze.”

As with other specialty license plates, such as the ones mentioned above, the new smallmouth bass plate will cost $35.00 above the regular cost of registering a vehicle.