TWRA Responds to Carroll Lake Concerns

McKENZIE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which owns and operates Carroll Lake, has provided some insight into concerns about the fish population following the extreme weather earlier this month and the preemptive drainage of the lake ahead of the flooding conditions.

Carroll Lake was partially drained on Wednesday, April 2 in anticipation of the predicted heavy rains over the following few days.

The Banner reached out to the TWRA and received the following response from Jason Harmon, Communications Manager for TWRA Public Relations:

“With the forecasted severe weather, the necessary actions were taken to ensure the operation of the dam and reduce risk of damage to the levee. We will know more about the impacts of the extreme condition of the storm on the fish population in Carroll Lake in coming months following our spring sampling period.

“Appropriate measures will be taken to manage the fish population as needed to provide continued fishing opportunity at Carroll Lake.

“Often, we are faced with environmental conditions that can complicate our management of fisheries across the state. TWRA staff use all the tools available to us to manage for quality fishing.

“At this time, we are not planning any restrictions. Results of spring sampling will better inform any additional management required.”

In June 2014, extreme heavy rains caused flooding at the lake, which left the flood gates heavily damaged. The lake had to be emptied, and it remained that way for 32 months until the gates were repaired.

The process of refilling began in January 2017. Once the water reached a certain level, the TWRA began stocking the lake with a variety of species. The lake reopened for fishing in May 2020.