TVA Invites Anglers To Help Survey Sport Fish

March 7, 2008

TVA is asking anglers in the Tennessee Valley to help survey the sport fish population in the Tennessee River this spring.

Beginning in mid-March and continuing through May, TVA will collect data on sport fish such as bluegill, black bass and crappie as part of its annual spring fish survey.

Fish will be caught using boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment. The units stun the fish momentarily and bring them to the surface for evaluation. Information such as abundance, distribution, age, relative weight and general health is collected and recorded.

Once weighed, measured and counted, the fish are released unharmed. Results from TVA’s fish surveys are used by state agencies to protect and improve sport fishing.

From March 11 through May 15, TVA fisheries biologists will leave designated boat ramps throughout the Valley at 7:30 a.m. and survey the fish until mid-afternoon. Participants with life jackets may join survey crews in TVA boats, or they can follow in personal boats.

The TVA survey has been conducted in the Tennessee River since 1995. To participate, call Ginger Seeber at (865) 632-6401 or email her at gseeber@tva.gov by March 10.

See schedule.

Media Contact:

Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom