TN Net Regulation Changes Aimed At Asian Carp

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a change that could help fishermen catch more invasive Asian carp. Last week, the commission approved allowing wider gill net openings aimed at snaring more of the fish, which spread rapidly and crowd out native species. The commission heard a report on a recent Asian carp fishing tournament on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in which more than 83,000 pounds of the non-native species were removed in two days. They also approved longer commercial fishing hours on Kentucky Lake embayments and the addition of black carp to the list of species that can be fished commercially. The changes will become effective once they’re filed with the secretary of state's office.