In Bristol, Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the United States Wildlife Services have agreed to continue the popular trout stocking program. The program focuses on funding for three federal fish hatcheries that have been providing both the state of Georgia and Tennessee with millions of trout.
The programs funding for the hatcheries began in 2013, witch have been managed by “the Service,” consisting of Dale Hollow and Erwin in Tennessee, and Chattahoochee Forest in Georgia. After the Service, the fish are then put into these main rivers and reservoirs: Apalachia (Hiwassee River), Blue Ridge, Boone, Cherokee, Fort Patrick Henry, Normandy, Norris, South Holston, Tims Ford and Wilbur. Trout-stocked reservoirs in the plan include Fort Patrick Henry, South Holston, Parksville, Watauga and Wilbur reservoirs. The TVA has already listed the trout stocking days through March of 2022.
Allen Clare, the Vice President of the TVA said, “Anglers (fishermen) come from all over the country to fish on TVA-managed lakes and rivers, and with this partnership TVA will continue its role in making sure people will continue to enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the country.”
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency said that last year the partnership provided more than 1.1 million brook, brown, lake and rainbow trout to TVA waters. More than 256,000 anglers are estimated to fish for trout in Tennessee and Georgia waters each year, spending about $73 for every $1 invested in the hatchery program, and producing an economic impact of about $45 million.
In 2017, the town of Dayton, Tennessee saw about $14 million from angler tourism. The mayor of Dayton, Gary Louallen was one of the men to launch the town’s fishing program. Having grown up on Dayton, Louallen knew that fishing could help his hometown.
The town of Dayton had been struggling since the recession, but after Louallen was elected and able to focus on tourism it’s been having a great economic growth. According to the mayor, the average fisherman spends around $1,100 a week, and some of their fishing tournaments can bring in hundreds of fishermen.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has listed on their website locations for trout fishing, along with areas that were recently stocked with trout. They also have helpful tips for catch and release methods, and links to obtaining a fishing license. Their website also states that: If you take fish or attempt to take fish (including crayfish) by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid fishing license.
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Morgan Nicole Veysey is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
