Cherokee Lake - Gill Netting 2010
Sampling Dates: January 20 and 21, 2010
Species collected in survey (8 net nights):
Hybrid striped bass - 90
Striped bass - 45
Walleye - 8
White bass - 2
Sauger - 1
Impressive numbers of hybrid striped bass ("Cherokee bass") continue to be collected in TWRA's winter gill netting efforts and the population is thriving on the abundant shad resources. These fish are attracting anglers from all over the southeast and are providing some fantastic fishing opportunities. Hybrids are more tolerant of low oxygen levels and higher temperatures than are striped bass so are not prone to the summer die-offs seen with Cherokee Reservoir stripers. Approximately 742,000 hybrids have been stocked by the TWRA since 2000. They are doing so well that the annual stocking rate has been reduced to approximately 2.4/acre/year. The average weight of hybrids collected in 2010 was 5.9-pounds
Striped bass ("rockfish"/"stripers") have been placed in the reservoir for many years and approximately 1,144,000 were stocked by the TWRA since 1998. A good sample of 45 stripers was collected in 2010, confirming a significant fishery exists. Striped bass have been stocked at approximately 4.2/acre/year since 2000 to help maintain the population. The average weight of stripers collected in 2010 was 7.2-pounds.
Walleye are popular with local angers. Few were collected in 2010, but they are fairly abundant in the reservoir. Approximately 930,500 walleye have been stocked by the TWRA since 1999.
Hybrid striped bass length frequency
Striped bass length frequency
A 29-inch, 19-pound Tennessee hybrid striped bass (Cherokee bass)
