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Presentation Title | POSTER: At First Glance: TWRA Winter Trout Stocking at Bicentennial Greenbelt Park, Maryville, TN |
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Presenting Author Name | Jeff Stevens |
Presenting Author Affiliation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
Presenting Author Email | Email hidden; Javascript is required. |
Presenting Author Social Media Handles | Twitter- @JeffPft33 |
Presentation Number | 16 |
Unit Meeting | Tennessee Chapter |
General Topic | freshwater, salmonids, creeling, R3 |
Type of Presentation | Poster |
Abstract | Recently, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has expanded their winter trout stocking program into Region IV to increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation of anglers. Historically, Region IV has not heavily participated in a winter trout stocking program due to its abundant trout fisheries. However, high, unpredictable flows and cold temperatures leave the region with few winter trout fishing opportunities. Therefore, this past winter (December 2019 - February 2020), Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were stocked into Pistol Creek and Greenbelt Lake of Bicentennial Greenbelt Park, Maryville, TN. A roving creel survey was conducted to evaluate the stocking program and compare creel statistics between Greenbelt Lake and Pistol Creek. The objective of the creel survey was to determine if TWRA should continue stocking these locations and, if so, at what rate. Angler use at Greenbelt Lake (1,754 h) was higher than Pistol Creek (1,124 h), however catch rates were higher for Pistol Creek (1.41 fish/h) than Greenbelt Lake (0.25 fish/h). Angler satisfaction was higher for Pistol Creek (76%) than Greenbelt Lake (71%). Comparisons were made to other Tennessee winter trout stocking locations to determine appropriate stocking rates. Greenbelt Lake was stocked at 125 fish/ha, which is lower than other Tennessee lakes stocked in the winter program. Therefore, based on angler use, satisfaction, catch rates across the state we recommend continued stocking at both locations while keeping the current stocking rate at Pistol Creek and raising Greenbelt Lake stocking rate. |
Presentation Link | fisheries.org |