Norris Lake - Gill Netting 2012
Sampling Date: January 10 – 12, 2012
Species collected in survey (21 net nights):
Walleye - 172
Striped bass - 13
Sauger - 7
White bass - 73
The TWRA uses winter gill netting to determine the status of the Norris walleye and striped bass fisheries. The effectiveness of our stocking program and growth characteristics of the fisheries are monitored with this sampling procedure.
During the late 1990’s, Tennessee Technological University determined the Norris walleye fishery was failing due to limited natural spawning. TWRA responded with an aggressive stocking campaign and have stocked 5 to 10 walleye per acre each of the past 14 years. The fishery has recovered tremendously as a result. More information about the Norris walleye fishery can be found on this web page.
This 2012 sample suggests the walleye fishery remains relatively stable. The walleye gill netting catch rate declined in 2007, but bounced back up to normal in 2008-2012. One can see in the length frequency below that a high percentage are greater than harvestable size (15-inches). For some reason, our recent creel surveys indicate that anglers are having an increasingly difficult time catching walleye.
The striped bass fishery has rebounded since a die-off of large fish in the summer of 2003 and the stocking moratorium from 1996 through 1998. The TWRA presently stocks approximately three striped bass per acre which is sufficient to maintain a substantial fishery.
White bass appear to be making a come back. Seventy-three were netted in 2012 which is far and above what had been collected for the past several years in TWRA's gill net samples.
You may wish to view the presentation posted on the Norris Lake Fisheries Advisory Committee page for a complete summary of the status of Norris Lake's fisheries.
Walleye length frequency
Walleye gill netting catch rates
