Trout fishing again is under way in Chattanooga at TVA's Lake Junior.
During daylight hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through April 30, fishermen will be standing or sitting on the shore, wading or paddling in the five-acre lake near Chickamauga Dam.
The lake is closed to fishing the rest of the year.
It was stocked with 3,000 rainbow trout on Jan. 6.
"The trout were reared at the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery in Celina, Tennessee, and ranged in size from 8 to 10 inches," said David Young, a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency biologist.
"The initial stocking also included the addition of a good number of trophy-sized rainbow trout from our Tellico Plains trout hatchery," Young added. "Another 3,000 rainbow trout from Dale Hollow hatchery will be stocked in February to make sure the good fishing will last until springtime."
He further explained that the stockings must be done in the winter -- "at a time when water temperatures are low enough for trout to survive" -- and that most of the stocked fish are "caught out" before the water temperatures reach summer levels.
There are no size or bait restrictions at Lake Junior, Young pointed out, but the statewide trout limit of seven per day applies, and anglers need a regular fishing license along with a trout license. However, sportsman license holders will need no additional licenses or permits.
"We'll go every weekend until April the 30th. It was great (last) Saturday evening," Hixson resident Robert Marshall said about his latest Lake Junior outing with Steve Boston of Dunlap.
Marshall caught his limit that day.
"We always use power bait and wax worms," he said.
The veteran fisherman said he puts his sinker on and adds 20 inches of line and then the bait.
"It makes the bait flow up. That's the trick," Marshall said.
Saturday's fishing did not turn out so well for everyone.
"I didn't do very good, and I only saw a few people catching some. I didn't seem to be getting any bites," said Chattanooga resident Melvin Lackey.
"I ain't no big fisherman. I just went because my son likes to fish," the 60-year-old added. "I'm sort of getting fed up with it. I prefer hunting."
Melvin Lackey Jr. has a different viewpoint about fishing.
"When I am not at work and my wife's not home, that is where I am," the younger Lackey said.
"I'll probably go back the next time they stock it. I usually have a better time when it gets a little warmer," said the 28-year-old, noting that the fish seem to stay in the middle of the lake and that fishing from the bank has its limits.
That assessment may have merit.
"I guess I caught somewhere in the range of 10 to 15 trout," reported Atlanta resident Noland Glenn, who with friend Mason Sims of Chickamauga fly-fished in the deeper parts of the lake while sitting in their fishing floats Saturday.
Sims, who has represented the United States in international youth fly-fishing competition, estimated that he caught close to 30 trout. He and Glenn used barbless flies and released the fish back into the lake.
"The water temperature was cold," Glenn said. "After sitting in the water for several hours, I started to lose feeling. I did not have enough socks on, and my toes got a little numb."
Added Sims: "We had our feet in the water all day. Yeah, we were pretty cold."
The two plan to return to Lake Junior to practice for a Feb. 8 event at Callaway Gardens.
TWRA requests that any violators be reported by calling 800-241-0767.
Contact Gary Petty at sports@timesfreepress.com.