TWRA - Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Fall Trap Netting Surveys for Crappie

Every fall the TWRA uses trap nets to aid in the evaluation of crappie populations in Cherokee, Douglas, and Norris Reservoirs. Netting efforts are designed to catch both adult and "young-of-the-year" (YOY) crappie and provides information concerning spawning success and adult densities. The data helps determine the population characteristics, growth, and relative condition of crappie. Trap netting is a critical tool in the proper management of these important fisheries.

Trap nets are like big minnow traps and allow the catch and release of live fish. Nets are set throughout each reservoir and the same sites are used each year. They are checked every day and each site is fished for two consecutive nights.

The pictures below show TWRA employees running a net on Douglas Lake. The crappie are emptied from the nets into a livewell and then measured, weighed, and released back to the general area where they were captured.