Jack Swearengin Named TWRA Fisheries Biologist of the Year

NASHVILLE --- Jack Swearengin has been named as the 2008 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Fisheries Biologist of the Year. Swearengin received the award at the November meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission.

Swearengin is a Region III Wildlife Manager with the streams crew out of the Crossville office. He is a resident of Jackson County.

For the past two years, Swearengin has worked diligently on evaluating the river muskellunge population. The muskellunge fishery has existed in the area for years, but very little was known, biologically, about its populations. Swearengin’s efforts have proven successful at documenting numerous fish from the Collins and Caney Fork watersheds. The data collected will be used to evaluate distribution, stocking rates, age, growth and fishing pressure.

Swearengin has expanded his search to the Emory and New River watersheds in order to document Cumberland Plateau muskie as well. This data will be used to formulate a statewide muskie management plan. During this time, Swearengin’s other duties have included trout data collection from three major tailwaters, technical assistance on farm ponds, and data collection from small reservoirs and state park lakes.

Other endeavors have included Swearengin playing a key role in the establishment of new winter trout stocking sites and new free fishing day sites. He also has located lands for river access such as the construction of the fishing pier/walkway on the Caney Fork River, the Calfkiller River access and the Boils Wildlife Management Area on Roaring River.

Swearengin has worked through the years in public relations to help promote fishing and hunting in the state. He works annually with county fairs, civic and school groups concerning a variety of programs that stress stream stewardship, sport fishing and hunting.