TVA, TWRA conducts survey of Lake Sturgeon

TVA and TWRA personnel inspecting Lake Sturgeon on the Cumberland River (Courtesy: TVA)

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- The TVA and TWRA have conducted a study on the health of Lake Sturgeon in Tennessee rivers.

This was conducted on the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee.

They caught 20 Lake Sturgeon to analyze their weight, length, and general health.

Lake Sturgeon, native to Tennessee waterways, went extinct in the 1970s, and over 400,000 of the seven feet long fish have been reintroduced into the state over the past 25 years.

TVA Fisheries Manager Lyn Williams said, “It’s part of our mission to make sure we have an amazing place to work live and play and it’s just a great opportunity to introduce people to these fish and hopefully one day we get this population back to where it’s self sustaining and and available for people to come out and catch.

The Tennessee Aquarium has an annual Lake Sturgeon release here in Chattanooga, and has baby sturgeon on display inside of their River Journey building.