How Does Historic Rainfall Affect Fish Populations?

[rsimms]

TVA has announced that, besides COVID, 2020 also brought the highest rainfall amount in Tennessee Valley HISTORY. Think about that - more rain than we've EVER had before (since we learned how to measure). What does that mean to fish that live in the Tennessee River. Here's some answers for you from a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency biologist: https://newschannel9.com/sports/out...rainfall-potential-impact-on-fish-and-fishing

 

[MoonMan]

Great write up Richard. It was interesting about which fish are helped and hurt.

 

[rsimms]

MoonMan - 12/17/2020 8:34 AM

Great write up Richard. It was interesting about which fish are helped and hurt.

Thanks!

 

[Spinnerbait165]

Richard, I might humbly add that fluctuating and/or turbid water may adversely effect the native and non-native vegetation in the river. That can really take a toll on feeding opportunities as well as hiding places for fry of all species.

All in all, I have come to the conclusion that over my 50+ years of fishing the area, TVA and TWRA has done a great job trying to balance their efforts between fisheries management and flood control.

 

[rusty50576]

Chattanooga has been flooding since they built the city, the fish adapt. Building the dams certainly hurt some fish like sauger but it’s better than being constantly underwater

 

[rusty50576]

Chattanooga has been flooding since they built the city, the fish adapt. Building the dams certainly hurt some fish like sauger but it’s better than the city being constantly underwater

 

[Biofisher I]

That's really good info. The shell Cracker info explains a lot of what's happening in the lake. I wish some of those walleye would show up on the lower end of the lake. Keep the fishing info flowing brother.

 

[rsimms]

Spinnerbait165 - 12/17/2020 12:28 PM

Richard, I might humbly add that fluctuating and/or turbid water may adversely effect the native and non-native vegetation in the river. That can really take a toll on feeding opportunities as well as hiding places for fry of all species.

All in all, I have come to the conclusion that over my 50+ years of fishing the area, TVA and TWRA has done a great job trying to balance their efforts between fisheries management and flood control.

I agree!