Tennessee Wildcast

We couldn't leave you hanging after last week—so we're back with even more walleye wisdom from Mike Jolly, TWRA's veteran Region 3 Reservoir Fisheries Manager with over 30 years on the water. Tennessee's walleye story is one of science, dedication, and incredible success.This year alone, TWRA hatcheries produced 2.9 million walleye fingerlings (up from 2.2 million last year), making walleye the #1 species raised statewide. Why? Explosive demand and booming opportunity. These fish grow fast—reaching the 16-inch keeper size (and sexual maturity) in just 2–3 years in many reservoirs. That's lightning speed for a premium game fish!We dive into the hatchery magic: collecting March–April broodstock, hand-stripping eggs and milt, incubating in tumbling jars, then raising ravenous fry in ponds (watch out—they turn piscivorous quick, aka the polite term for "cannibalistic"). The result? Thriving populations that fill their own niche without displacing other species.Anglers are loving it. Over 16,000 targeted walleye t