Tennessee state record paddlefish caught in Cherokee Lake
A state record paddlefish, which measured more than six feet in length, was caught in Cherokee Lake by a Kingston, Tennessee man.
Henry Dyer hooked the huge fish, which weighed 149 pounds and measured 79 5/8-inches in length and 44 3/8 inches in girth.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials confirmed the record.
👀 BIG FISH ALERT! 🎣 Tennessee angler Henry Dyer of Kingston with the new STATE RECORD paddlefish from Cherokee Lake! 149 lbs., 79 5/8” length, 44 3/8” girth. #tnwildlife #tntrophyroom #staterecord pic.twitter.com/DO012oe3C6
— TWRA (@tnwildlife) April 18, 2023
The previous record of 120 pounds was set on April 14, 2022 and was also caught in Cherokee Lake by Chad Collins. That fish measured 75.5 inches in length and 41.5 inches in girth. It was certified by TWRA fisheries biologist John Hammonds.
The world record paddlefish weighed 164 pounds and was caught in Oklahoma on Keystone Lake in 2021.
Anglers are only allowed to catch one paddlefish per day in Tennessee. There is no length limit.
American paddlefish are also known as spoonbills. This family is most closely related to sturgeons. The median age for most populations of paddlefish is five-to-eight years, however, some of the larger fish reach 14-to-18 years.
Cherokee Lake is located near Knoxville and is best known for its bass fishing.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: State record paddlefish caught in Cherokee Lake
