[tkwalker]

As per TWRA Fishing Regs. Page 8. The season for paddle fish is April 24th thru May 31. With no culling in all river fisheries ...Exceptions are three land locked lakes, Center Hill, Watts Bar, and Cherokee. They are primarily fished for with nets in rivers..

In the 80's I use to commercial fish for Paddlefish during the Russian Embargo on Cavier .. Which is harvested from Sturgeon... Contrary to belief Paddlefish are not of the catfish family .... They are of the Sturgeon family. They primarily are plankton feeders that is the reason for the large gills. They very seldom strike or eat any large bait ... Mainly on a small percentage, minnows. But paddlefish do get foul hooked quite frequently...

The meat is great tasting as long as the red muscle is removed. This fish would have about 30 pounds of eggs after screening and processing it would be $24 a pound in 1980 ($720) Note: Our fisheries were raped by out of state commercial fisherman during this time... This is what brought on our season of two per day ... In the 80's there were no regs. or limit on these fish..

So Beware ... The reason for no culling because they very seldom survive after being caught... You did not say that it was released ... You may want to reconsider this post <'TK><