Blue Catfish Population Characteristics and Standard Sampling Methods in Tennessee Reservoirs

Catfish are important components of sport and commercial fisheries in several Tennessee reservoirs. In 2014, catfish were the third most pursued recreational species in the state behind black bass and crappie. However, catfish have received scant attention because they were not classified as a sport fish until 2007. The lack of knowledge regarding catfish populations in Tennessee reservoirs and how to effectively sample them presents many research opportunities. A primary focus of this research is to develop unbiased and standardized Blue Catfish sampling protocols using a variety of gears. Low-frequency electrofishing in 2015 resulted in the collection of only 159 Blue Catfish. Tandem hoop nets and trotlines provided data on lengths, weights, and ages of more than 450 Blue Catfish. Population characteristics are being compared within and among three study reservoirs. Kentucky Lake and Chickamauga Lake support the two largest catfish fisheries in Tennessee; whereas Blue Catfish in Fort Loudoun Lake experience much lower fishing mortality due to a fish consumption advisory and commercial fishing ban. Future goals are to model the response of Blue Catfish populations to different management scenarios and to assess the potential for growth and recruitment overfishing in Tennessee reservoirs.