Thread: Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing?

Originally Posted by howferg

I have heard that there was some problems with watts bar from coal or something , Hope that doesn't kill off too many fish.

You're quite right, Howferg ... the coal sludge retention pond that collapsed was up around the river end of Watts Bar. It would be somewhere between Kingston Tn & Harriman TN, on the Emory River. The Emory is ONE of the rivers that empties into Watts Bar Lake. The "main" river that makes up Watts Bar, is the Tenn River. Haven't heard anything about a "fish kill", but that would be secondary news compared to the contamination aspect, so it might never even be checked on/reported. The increase in arsenic concentration, in the water, from the coal dust ... is the biggest concern, currently (well, as far as the lake & water table is concerned). The lake already has PCB problems. Consumption advisories and signs around the lake ... all point to Catfish & Black Bass as the fish to avoid, or eat sparingly. Haven't seen Crappie included in any of the Consumption Advisories for Watts Bar ... but, I will be checking on it, nonetheless

... cp

I didn't know it was that bad at watts bar , our thoughts and preyers go out to all the locals there .