Musky harvesting on the Nolichucky

[jkilday4]

I was at the lot below the dam here today and an old timer struck up a conversation as I was heading to do some bank fishing for muskies; he showed me four or so photos of good muskies he'd harvested.  Contrary to some opinions about them not being a good fish to eat, this guy told me they were a fine eatin fish (and I've heard that elsewhere)...it was supposedly sustenance to this guy on Social Security PLUS he offered the likely excuse that they needed to be taken out of here 'cause they were cleaning out the smallmouth.

I assumed musky would target suckers etc rather than smallies because they seem like they would be easier to catch.  There sure are way more suckers than smallies here.   I wonder if there have been any studies on what musky eat and if it's a high percentage of smallmouth.  But even if muskies eat smallies or smallie fry, I don't think it's a bad thing because folks around here have always commented on how the numbers of smallies here are high but the size are below average (compared to Holston for instance).  Thinning out would be a good thing in my book.

I think it's time for a special longer musky length reg, for around the dam anyway...

[MN Fishing Bum]

I have ate plenty of northern pike in my life.  Very similar to Muskie.  They are a great eating fish when caught in cold clean waters.   

If I was fishing for food, Muskie would be my last choice.  They take so long to catch I would go hungry.  That is the same as saying I need meat but will only shoot a Boone and crocket buck... 

[SAMMY74]

TWILES... Go to the store just down from the dam . Greeneville sporting goods I think. Wall is covered with pictures of muskies on tailgates. Up around a section near your house I have seen a few guys drag strings full in the last few years out of the river.

[TWiles]

Must be catching them during the spring run.  It's a shame...musky will be the one fish I'll never harvest, unless gut-hooked and surely dying.
It's just a good reminder to keep your musky stretches quiet.  There's too many folks who post videos and photos with revealing landmarks.....that's how I've found many good fishing spots.

If you lead the wrong folks to the fish, it only takes a few "bubbas" and a bucket of creek minnows to clean em out.  I've met many country folks who would love to slaughter a musky... It just means more fillets to fry.

[SAMMY74]

I know what you mean about the pictures. Me and a friend caught 152 up to 51 inches in 2010-2011, I never post pics anymore. Since someone broke into my house and stole all my gear in December, looks like a few more years till I get back into it..

[fishfindergeneral]

The TWRA is definitely interested attracting out of state traffic to Tn. for funds and you will find out that they are very approachable when it comes to change of the status quo. After all, we are the ones putting the time on the water. For instance, the out of date, antiquated regulations on Dale Hollow for winter trout harvest was put in place to protect the lakers, years ago, that no longer exist in the lake. I'm made a call to David Young, trout biologist and after a long conversation, he agreed it was time for a change. The following year, the restrictions were lifted.
  People will always harvest fish for the table, they always have. I must say, I am guilty of keeping the first legal Muskie I caught in Dale after years of trying to figure them out. We also harvest trout and walleye on a put and take basis. What can I say, I love fresh fish.
  Things can be done to protect the muskies like an off season around spawn runs or a state wide higher limit, maybe dare I say, a state wide 50 inch limit. If the parties concerned contacted the TWRA, you will be surprised how easy it would be to effect change. After all according to InFisherman, we have a top ten fishery here.

[jkilday4]

Things can be done to protect the muskies like an off season around spawn runs or a state wide higher limit, maybe dare I say, a state wide 50 inch limit. If the parties concerned contacted the TWRA, you will be surprised how easy it would be to effect change. After all according to InFisherman, we have a top ten fishery here.

After my e-mailing him of the situation, TWRA Officer Bart Carter called me earlier this week.  We talked  for a good fifteen minutes or so; he was very receptive to my concerns and interested in furthering the musky fishery.  He said that they are continuing to try to get as many fingerlings as possible from NC hatcheries; too bad TN doesn't have a hatchery program.  They are planning on stocking the French Broad more this year.  He was definitely aware of the increasing popularity of musky fishing in general and knows it means $$.  He was of the opinion that relatively few muskies are actually being harvested.

I would like to see a local reg below the dam but am sure not enough folks are griping yet.  Also, I initially thought a local spawning run reg in a fishery where reproduction does not occur would not get traction, but it should because of the fact that they still congregate in spawning areas - whether they false-spawn or not - and become more of a target.  I will keep pushing it here to see if others will lean on TWRA.  Who knows, maybe we could at least get more license checks and creel surveying in this highly-fished area.

[grumpy]

As of last year TN did have a Musky program, can't say for sure about this year.

[jkilday4]

As of last year TN did have a Musky program, can't say for sure about this year.

That is promising news.  Is it a fledgling program that's just started?  Or one that is stocking very selectively?