JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Can I use gamefish as bait? Yes, you can
use gamefish as bait provided the fish were
legally harvested or purchased and you obey
the daily creel and length limits.
If I am casting from my own property while
I fish, do I need a fishing license to fish in
a public lake or reservoir? Yes. You do not
qualify for a landowner exemption because
you do not own the waterbody that you are
fishing.
Can I stock fish? No! Releasing fish or any
other animal into a stream, river or reservoir
can irreversibly ruin the fishing in that
location. It is easy to imagine how an exotic
species released from an aquarium could
harm our native fish populations. But even
the release of species such as a bass that might
already live in that water body could introduce
harmful viruses or diseases. For this reason
only TWRA has the authority to stock public
waters which includes all, even privately
owned, streams and rivers, and all public lakes
and reservoirs. It is illegal to stock the waters
of Tennessee, and only privately owned ponds
may be stocked without TWRA approval.
fRe Q ueN tlY asK e D QuestioN s a ND a N sweR s
Can I clean/dress my fish in any way, while
on the water? Yes. However, it is unlawful to
possess while afield any fish which has been
altered to the extent that its species and/or
total body length cannot be determined.
Do I need a trout license if I do not plan
on keeping trout? If you are fishing for trout,
you need a trout license whether or not you
possess trout.
Do I need a fishing license to fish a private
farm pond? Yes, unless you are not required
to have a license under a landowner, age, or
military exemption. See “Who must have a
license” section on page 9.
What licenses are required to fish on
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)? No
license is required if you are under the age of
13, or are military personnel on furlough with
papers. Otherwise, you only need the proper
fishing license. Generally there are no special
WMA licenses required. However, a Tellico-
Citico permit is required for all ages on
certain waters within the Cherokee National
Forest (Cherokee WMA). In addition; certain
WMA’s are periodically closed.
tRoPHY fisH aPPliCatioN foRM
FORM MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELy. PLEASE PRINT.
Angler’s Name: _____________________________________________ Phone Number: ( ______ ) _____ - ____________
Address: ___________________________________________________ City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ________
Age of applicant: __________ Do you qualify for a Master Angler Award? ____ yes ____ No
Fishing License Number (TWRA #): ______________________________________
fisH iNfoRMatioN: KIND OF FISH (SPECIES): __________________________ DAtE CAUgHt: ____________
Length of fish (to the nearest 1/4 inch): ______________ Body of Water Where Caught: _____________ County: _____________
Bait: __ Natural __ Artificial type of Water: ___ Pond ___ Reservoir/Lake ____ River/Stream
Was the fish released? ___ yes ____ No Length Certification: (A or B)
a. Witness Signature: ______________________________________ Phone Number: ( ______ ) _____ - __________
Address: _________________________________________________ City: _______________ State: ________ Zip: __________
B. Photo: Print your name, birth date, and fish species on back of photo and enclose with application. Photos become property of TWRA and
are not returned. Photos may be used in publications.
(Angler sign here) I, __________________________________________________________ hereby affirm that the above information is true
and in taking this fish I complied with all state fishing regulations and rules of the Tennessee Angler Recognition Program and that the witness
actually witnessed the measuring of the fish and/or the photo is accurate and was not altered in any way.
Enclose a check or money
order for $5.00 payable to
TWRA and mail to:
taRP
tennessee wildlife Resources agency
P.o. Box 41729
Nashville, tN 37204
As I was cleaning a fish, I noticed a black,
white or yellow grub or worm in them.
What are these and are the fish safe to eat?
These are small parasites that are referred to as
Trematodes. Commonly known as black spot,
yellow grub and white grub, they are very
common in many fish species in Tennessee
and worldwide. The parasites have a complex
life cycle that involves fish, fish eating birds
and other invertebrates such as snails. While
the appearance may be unappetizing, fish that
are properly cleaned and completely cooked
cannot transmit any parasite or disease to
people who eat the fish. There is no known
cure for the parasites in the wild and they
usually do not affect the health of the fish
except under unusual conditions.
What is a thermocline and what effect does
it have on reservoir fish populations? As
the surface water warms in the late spring,
a distinct temperature gradient is formed
between the warm surface water and the cool
water below. This thermocline does not allow
the cold water to mix with the warm, oxygenated
water above. The cold water slowly loses oxygen
(Continued on page 47)
WR-0831
2008 Fishing Guide 45