TWRA reports Genetic Testing Confirms New Tennessee, Possible World Record Black Crappie

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has verified through genetic testing that the crappie caught from a Loudon county pond last month is indeed a black crappie and the new state record.

Lionel “Jam” Ferguson from the East Tennessee community of Philadelphia landed the 5 pounds, 7.68 ounces trophy fish on May 15th. After a fisheries biologist visually identified the species and weight was verified with certified scales, a small fin clip was sent for genetic testing to confirm that the fish was not a hybrid.

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