Cherokee Gill Netting 2008
Sampling Dates: January 29 and 30, 2008
Species collected in survey (6 net nights):
Hybrid striped bass - 94
Striped bass - 13
Walleye - 3
White bass - 2
Impressive numbers of hybrid striped bass continue to be collected in TWRA's winter gill netting efforts and the population is thriving on the abundant shad resources. These fish are attracting anglers from all over the southeast and are providing some fantastic fishing opportunities. Hybrids are more tolerant of low oxygen levels and higher temperatures than are striped bass so are not prone to the summer die-offs seen with Cherokee Reservoir stripers. Approximately 571,000 hybrids have been stocked since 2000. They are doing so well that the annual stocking rate has been reduced to approximately 1 to 2/acre/year.
Striped bass (rockfish) have been placed in the reservoir for many years and approximately 1,143,000 were stocked from 1998 to 2007. Only 13 were collected in 2008, but that does not mean a quality fishery does not exist. Sometimes they are just not located adjacent to where the nets are set. Striped bass have been stocked at approximately 5/acre/year since 2005 to help boost the population.
Walleye are popular with local angers. Few were collected in our 2008 effort, but they are fairly abundant in the reservoir. Approximately 682,600 walleye were stocked between 1999 and 2007.
Hybrid striped bass length frequency - 2008
A 29-inch, 19-pound Tennessee hybrid striped bass (Cherokee bass)
