By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Buchanan, Tenn.–Thousands of fingerling Florida bass were released into Kentucky Lake, and Benton and Humphreys County waterways Monday.
American Sport Fish from Alabama bred the fish and coordinated the release, which started early Monday morning at Paris Landing State Park.
Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said the fish release is part of the three-year contract with the Henry County Tourism Authority, with at least 300,000 bass to be stocked each year for the three years. The first fingerling release was conducted May 26, 2020 at the same locations.
Henry County Commissioner Monte Starks helped with yesterday’s fish release and said the Tourism Authority plans to review the program soon and determine whether the contract should be renewed.
The plan to replenish local waters with bass, which have been declining in recent years, was brought to Henry and Benton County officials last year by Charlie Ingram of Humphreys Co. and Bob Cathey of Paris, who have been spearheading the project.
Benton County Mayor Brett Lashlee was at the fish releases Monday morning and praised the program, which he said “will allow expansion of our sports fishing and will promote tourism” for the local area.
On Monday, some 500,000 bass were released into the local waterways.
American Sports Fish officials said, “Today we’re so glad to be a part of helping KY lake get back to it’s glory days. We’re releasing 500,000 fingerling Florida strain bass bred by American Sport Fish into KY lake! They should be ready for a ride in tournament livewells within a couple years.”
Photo by American Sport Fish.