GALLATIN, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A new state record fish has been caught in the mid-state.
On December 27, Barry Parker hauled in a 6 pound, 5.5 ounce 22.5 inch tilapia from Old Hickory Lake. Recently fishermen have been reporting surprising catches of this non-native fish, on Old Hickory near the Gallatin Steam Plant. On the day of the record catch, Barry caught a total of 75 tilapia.
Lately, creel surveys have documented several catches in excess of 100 tilapia form this area. The warm water discharge from the steam plant provides a thermal refuge for tilapia. Native to Africa, they can only survive in warmer climates. Their minimum temperature tolerance is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit which is limiting to most aquatic habitats in Tennessee. Suitable winter habitat probably doesn’t exist away from the steam plant discharge in Old Hickory.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wants anglers to keep any tilapia that are caught from Old Hickory Reservoir so that they are removed and will no longer contribute to the population. There is no limit of any kind on tilapia.
“We believe they were introduced to Old Hickory by escaping from farm ponds during the big flood of 2010. Tilapia have been used by private pond owners to provide alternate forage for largemouth bass, aid in vegetation control, and as a food source,” Region II Fishery Manager Todd St. John said. “We do not encourage these farm pond stockings since escape and the introduction to other water bodies is always possible. They are invasive and undesirable and have the potential to compete with native species.”
The TWRA wants to remind everyone that the stocking of any fish or crayfish into public waters is strictly prohibited.