Biologists, fishermen conduct annual fish survey

TVA biologists and local fishermen this morning headed out from Harrison Bay on Chickamauga Lake to conduct the annual spring sport fish survey.

Donny Lowery, TVA fisheries biologist, said the survey in Tennessee Valley reservoirs helps to determine the number, age and general health of sport fishing species populations such as bass and crappie.

“It gives us a good aquatic picture of organisms in the reservoir when you can study the bass species, which are top predators on top of the food chain,” Mr. Lowery said.

“It is a good indicator of the health of the reservoir, water quality,” he added. “... by their condition factors we can tell if they are getting enough to eat.”

Using boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment, two boats conducted 30 minute runs throughout the morning. The first run collected 158 fish per hour, a really good start Mr. Lowery said.

After the fish are collected, the biologists and contractors measure, weigh, count and inspect the fish for any bacteria or parasites before returning them unharmed back to the water.

Dalton, Ga., resident Stan Stamey, a contractor who has helped with the survey for seven years, said the fish captured this morning looked healthy and robust.

“We had a wide range of sizes, they looked nice,” he added.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.