Trout in the Lake???

[rsimms]

Okay, somebody answer me this. Made a quick little foray after work this evening. Went above Chickamauga Dam (from the shore) fishing the turbine intakes. There was good current because they had all four generators cranked up. Mainly I was after shad for catfish bait. No shad... but I started catching several stripe (white bass)... decent sized ones on a tiny Yo-Zuri minnow imitation.
And then, lo and behold, I caught a trout!
Then, lo and behold, I caught another one! One about 9-inches, the other about 11-inches... and I lost a couple more. I was stunned!
Where did they come from?
Of course TWRA stocks Lake Junior with trout early in the year. I'm guessing they came from that stocking but did a) TWRA dump some in the lake... b) somebody catch some and then release them in the lake... or c) come from somewhere else?
It's a mystery to me. I never thought I'd see a trout caught in Chickamauga Lake. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[capt]

It is rumored that there is a flume or cave connecting lake junior to the dam. Hmmmm

 

[rsimms]

Yea, I've always heard that, but never believed it since Lake Junior doesn't fluctuate with lake.... but now I wonder???

 

[capt]

It seems like they USED to. I am not sure BUT someone (who would know) told me that lake junior did not exist until they filled chickamauga. Ergo: "lake Jr"

 

[polo-dog]

Trout in Nickajack is not very common as far as I know but I could imagine trout from many sources getting into the tailwaters below Chickamauga dam. There are many confluent streams and rivers, mostly up north. that are stocked with trout. In the winter when the water is cooler, trout could migrate to the tailwaters. There are even stranger fish that would seem out of place in the TN river, Atlantic Needlefish, very common on the coast and fun to catch on a flyrod, have been found in the TN river. A buddy of mine caght one near a steamplant. Here's a link to one of the articles. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=324. These fish are limited by the water being too cold but with warm water outflows from steam plants and reactors and the like, can survive the winters and are able to reproduce in fresh water. Trout however from what I know cannot live in warm water without high oxygen contents and they survive in tailraces in warmer times of the year because of the oxygenation below the dams from the turbines. Interesting stuff eh?

 

[rsimms]

Thanks for info... but just to clarify, these trout were ABOVE Chickamauga Dam, not below.

 

[polo-dog]

Hmm, I'll have to think about that one. Water temps are in the upper range for the species I would say. Last time I looked the temp was in the upper 60's but by now should be in the low to mid 70's. Hmm. Here's a link that I found that says that trout have a tough time in temps in the 70's. http://www2.luresext.edu/aquaculture/cage trout.htm Is there a spring in Lake Jr that the fish could get to to keep them cool or do they all die off in the summer?

 

[nimrod777]

There are no trout above the dam at Chickamauga. There are no trout above the dam at Chickamauga. There are no trout above the dam at Chickamauga. There are no trout above the dam at Chickamauga. There are no trout above the dam at Chickamauga.

When I snap my fingers you will awaken feeling refreshed and rested, and you will only remember that there are no trout above the dam at Chickamauga.

Alright people, let's keep it moving! Nothing to see here!

 

[polo-dog]

Kieth, you can't mesmerize me that easily. Now where were those trout????????

 

[capt]

tried to swim to the bottom of lake Jr when I was about 18 or so. I could not. Also notice that the water level varies quite a bit. Could someone with scuba gear please find the secret cave or whatever and settle this.

 

[nimrod777]

polo-dog - 6/2/2005 9:47 PM

Kieth, you can't mesmerize me that easily. Now where were those trout????????

Hey, you should know I can be bought!