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July 13, 2006
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| Otha G. Hamm, left, and
Fisheries Biologist Maurice Jackson with Hamm's record rainbow
trout. |
New Alabama freshwater fish records were recently set for the
rainbow trout and the skipjack herring. Both fish were caught in
Tuscaloosa County.
Otha G. Hamm of Alexandria caught a 9-pound, 1-ounce rainbow trout
from Mud Creek in Tannehill State Park on April 22, 2006. The
previous rainbow trout record was a 7-pound, 4-ounce fish caught in
2004.
Shawn A. Melvin of Tuscaloosa caught a 2-pound, 14-ounce skipjack
herring from below Oliver Lock and Dam in Tuscaloosa County on March
17, 2006. The previous record fish, caught in 2005, weighed 1 pound,
7 ounces.
The rainbow trout occurs naturally in Pacific Coast drainages from
Alaska to northwestern Mexico. It has been stocked extensively
worldwide, and in North America it now occurs throughout Canada, the
Great Lakes region, the Appalachians, the Ozarks, and central
Mexico. In Alabama, rainbow trout are stocked in spring-fed Mud
Creek in Tannehill State Park through a cooperative agreement
between the park and the Buffalo Rock Company. Rainbows from the
Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery in Tennessee are stocked in cold
tailwaters below Lake Lewis Smith Dam. Occasionally, rainbow trout
are caught in the Little River in DeKalb and Cherokee counties from
stockings in Georgia.
“Alabama’s major rivers and streams are considered warm water
systems, which greatly limits potential trout stocking waters. Deep
water hydropower discharges, cold water springs or utilizing
selected public water sites in the winter offer few successful
stocking sites,” said Fisheries Section Chief Stan Cook.
Skipjack herring are often found in or near the swiftest waters.
Herring have a streamlined shape and deeply forked tail typical of
fish that rely on speed in open water. Skipjack herring often attack
fast, flashy lures. Anglers enjoy catching skipjack herring, as they
frequently jump during the fight. The shape and coloration of the
jaw of the skipjack herring are keys to distinguishing this fish
from other members of the herring family. The lower jaws of skipjack
herring protrude considerably in front of its upper jaws, and the
edges of the jaws are completely pigmented. The jaws have an upward
slant allowing skipjack herring to better feed upwards in the water
column.
To be considered for the Alabama state freshwater record, a fish
must be caught on pole and line or rod and reel and weighed on
certified scales. An approved fisheries biologist must verify the
correct species and weight, so the fish must be available in a fresh
or frozen state. An official application with a photograph must be
submitted to the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.Check out the other
Alabama Fishing Records |
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