Tennessee Valley Authority
Spring Sport Fish Survey
TVA conducts its annual spring sportfish survey to help determine the number, age, and general health of black bass and crappie populations in TVA reservoirs. The results of the survey are used by state agencies to protect and improve sport fisheries.
2010 Survey
The 2010 spring sportfish survey was conducted on 12 Tennessee River reservoirs from March through May. The survey included twelve 30-minute electrofishing runs covering the various habitat types present. An electric current was used to temporarily stun the fish so that they floated to the surface, where they were collected by TVA crews. The fish were then weighed, measured, and released.
This approach to determining fish abundance is used by state game and fish agencies and academia. In addition to accommodating state databases, the surveying method aligns with TVA Watershed Team objectives, since the sample sites are selected using the shoreline habitat characteristics employed by the Watershed Teams.
The survey predominantly targets three species of black bass — Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted bass — and Black and White crappie.
Summary of 2010 results
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12 reservoirs were sampled in 2010: 9 Main-stem Tennessee River reservoirs and 3 Tributary reservoirs.
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A total of 11,043 black bass and 1,047 crappie were collected.
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An overall catch rate of 63.7 fish per hour was achieved.
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Numbers of black bass collected 3 pounds (723), 4 pounds (295), 5 pounds and over (94).
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Guntersville reservoir recorded the highest numbers of fish in the 3, 4, and 5 pounds and over range. (3 pounds 167 fish - 4 pounds 80 fish -5 pounds and over (20)
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Pickwick reservoir recorded its highest catch rate to date (77.1)
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Watts Bar reservoir recorded its highest catch rate since 1995 (76.2).
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Guntersville reservoir recorded the highest catch rate to date (92.3).
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The highest catch rates were observed on Guntersville reservoir (92.3 fish per hour) and Wilson reservoir (89.6 fish per hour).
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The largest fish in the 2010 survey was a 9.3 pound largemouth bass from Pickwick reservoir (Forebay area).
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The average weight of all black bass collected 10 inches and longer was 1.6 pounds for the fourth year in a row.
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Nickajack reservoir and Guntersville reservoirs had the highest average weight (2.2-1.9 pounds) for all black bass over 10 inches.
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Fontana and Parksville reservoirs continue to exhibited significant numbers of spotted bass
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An abundance of forage fish was observed in main-stem reservoirs.
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112 anglers and observers participated in the 2009 survey
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Pickwick reservoir had the most Smallmouth bass (171)
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Parksville reservoir had the most Spotted bass (254)
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Guntersville reservoir had the most Largemouth bass (1,587)
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Watts Bar reservoir had the most crappie (244)
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Watts Bar reservoir had the most White crappie (162)
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Chickamauga reservoir had the most Black crappie (152)
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Guntersville reservoir had the most fish sampled (1,706)
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Guntersville reservoir had the most Largemouth bass over 4 pounds (80)
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Chickamauga and Guntersville reservoirs had the most Largemouth bass 5 pounds and over (20 and 25)
Top reservoirs in each category (numbers of fish)
View tables of sport fish survey results for individual lakes.