Little Tennessee Native Fish Conservation Area
A designation of the Little Tennessee Native Fish Conservation Partnership
Jim Herring, aquatic biologist on the Cherokee National Forest, shared some information on the buffalo run that should be helpful to folks looking to venture to Citico Creek and bear witness to this fish phenomenon. Here’s a summary of Jim’s data on the timing and scale of past events, which can hopefully help you time your visit to this year’s event.
Each April Buffalo fish make a massive spawning run up East Tennessee’s Citico Creek, creating one of the most impressive animal spectacles in the Southern Appalachians. Check out this video of the event from Conservation Fisheries, Inc., and contact Jim Herrig at the Cherokee National Forest (423/476-9751) for information on how you can go watch the run.
Power companies, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and state and federal agencies have come together to conserve the sicklefin redhorse, a fish found in only six Appalachian counties worldwide and being considered for the federal endangered species list.
Sicklefin redhorse, credit: Steve Fraley
Read more about it over at the Fish and Wildlife Service website