A study of bait and snag lines was conducted in the TVA lakes of Alabama from December, 1958, through December, 1'959, to determine species composition of the catch, the effectiveness of bait and snag lines for taking fish and the effectiveness of various types of bait used on baited lines. Data were obtained by accompanying the fisherman as he removed the fish from his lines. Bait line catches were, by weight, 92 percent catfish and 4 percent buffalo and carp. Grasshoppers were the most effective bait used while threadfin shad were used on 47 percent of the baited hooks. Snag line catches were, by weight, 77 percent catfish and 21 percent buffalo and carp. Both bait and snag lines were selected for the taking of catfish; but they were considered ineffective for the taking of carp, buffalo and other non-game forage fish.
