The Tennessee River ranks extremely high among great catfish rivers. The largest tributary of the Ohio River commonly gives up blue catfish topping 100 pounds and giant flatheads approaching that plateau.
What is the biggest catfish in Tennessee?
112 pounds
The Tennessee state record blue catfish weighed 112 pounds, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It was caught in 1998 by Robert Lewis in the Cumberland River. Graham, who is from Knoxville, caught the behemoth using live white bass as bait.
What’s the biggest fish in a Tennessee River?
1. Lake Sturgeon. The lake sturgeon thrives within freshwater systems such as lakes, ponds, and rivers of Tennessee.
Where is the best catfishing on the Tennessee River?
Good catfishing can be found in parts of virtually all major reservoirs in Tennessee, but some of the lakes best known for their abundant channels are Reelfoot, Old Hickory, J. Percy Priest, Woods and Douglas lakes.
What is the largest catfish ever caught?
The Mekong giant catfish
The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a nine-foot-long individual caught in northern Thailand in 2005 weighted an astounding 646 pounds, making it the largest exclusively freshwater fish ever recorded.
What is the biggest bluegill ever caught in Tennessee?
New record! A bluegill weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces was caught in Obion County, Tennessee by angler Harry McCracken.
Are there sturgeon in the Tennessee River?
An inhabitant of large rivers and lakes, the lake sturgeon is one of three native sturgeon species found in Tennessee. While they were formerly found in the Cumberland, Mississippi, and Tennessee rivers, lake sturgeon populations have dramatically declined and are listed as endangered in Tennessee.
What lives in the Tennessee River?
Recreationally important species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and black crappie dodge the lures of eager anglers. Smaller, colorful fish like the redline darter and rainbow darter dash in and out of rocks in search of food.
Are there Muskie in Tennessee?
Musky can be found throughout East Tennessee, most notably Melton Hill which is partially located in Knox county. Additional musky fishing opportunities abound throughout the state on such lakes as Norris, Douglas, Dale Hollow, Center Hill and Rock Island.
Where can you catfish on the Tennessee River?
You can find guides throughout the entire river that will take you catfishing. Chattanooga, TN is one of the most popular destinations. The Chickamauga Dam, Tennessee Riverpark, Booker T. Washington State Park, Lookout Creek, and Chester Frost Park are all excellent spots for catching big Catfish.
Do catfish bite in cold weather?
how do you target and catch them during cold weather? Catfish do bite in cold weather and eat the same baits they did during the warmer months. While they are somewhat lethargic in cold water and often seek refuge in deep water when temperatures drop, catfish still need to feed.
How do you catch a giant flathead catfish?
Flathead catfish hang out in deep cover near the current. When they come out of cover to feed, they will move into the current while staying on the bottom. A good technique for catching flatheads is to drift the bait next to the current in river bends.
What is the best catfish bait?
Best Catfish Baits
- #1. Nightcrawler. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species.
- #2. Gizzard Shad.
- #3. White Suckers.
- #4. Skipjack Herring.
- #5. Stinkbait.
- #7. Bluegills.
- #8. Punchbait.
- #9. Chicken Livers.
Where is the best catfishing?
Best Catfish Rivers
- Rock River, Dixon, IL.
- Cumberland River, Clarksville, TN.
- Alabama River, Selma, AL.
- Altamaha River, GA.
- Colorado River (Lower Colorado)
- Red River, Alexandria, LA.
- Apalachicola River, FL.
- Illinois River, Peoria, IL.
What do giant catfish eat?
Adult giant catfish largely feed on plants and algae. The juvenile feeds on tiny animals floating in the water.
What’s the biggest catfish in the United States?
blue catfish
The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 165 cm (65 in) and a weight of 68 kg (150 lb). The typical length is about 25–46 in (64–117 cm). The fish can live to 20 years.
What is the record crappie in Tennessee?
late on the evening of May 15, 2018, angler Jam Ferguson landed the fish of a lifetime when he caught a 5-pound, 4.6-ounce black crappie. The fish was weighed on TN Toad Scales that night, and the scales were later certified and the fish reweighed on May 16, 2018 by TWRA officials.
What is the largest crappie caught in Tennessee?
5 pounds, 7.68 ounces
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has verified through genetic testing that the crappie caught from a Loudon county pond last month is indeed a black crappie and the new state record. Lionel “Jam” Ferguson from the East Tennessee community of Philadelphia landed the 5 pounds, 7.68 ounces trophy fish on May 15.
What is the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in Tennessee?
22 pounds, 4 ounces
Official Largemouth World Record: George Perry’s Undefeated Bass. On June 2nd, 1932, George Perry caught the current world record bass out of Lake Montgomery, an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River in southern Georgia. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces.
Can you eat sturgeon fish?
Sturgeon has a refined flavor and consistency. That charm is why eating it raw is the best way to eat it. You can enjoy the charm of the fish meat by eating it as sashimi, sushi and marinading it. Even when boiled, you can enjoy the tender texture of sturgeon.
How big do sturgeon get?
Appearance. Atlantic sturgeon can grow to approximately 16 feet long and can weigh up to 800 pounds. They are bluish-black or olive brown dorsally (on their back) with paler sides and a white belly. They have five major rows of dermal “scutes,” or bony plates, along the length of their body.