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Tennessee

Fishing

Fishing

Region 1

Reservior full pool elevation is the boundary between reservoir and tributary streams or rivers for harvest restrictions.

Statewide regulations apply for any species not mentioned under each listed reservoir section.

Region 1

Tennessee Region 1 Reservoir Regulations Map.

Barkley

Includes the following dewatering areas—Barkley Unit 1 (also known as Dover Bottoms) and Bear Creek WMA. The dewatering areas are closed to fishing 5 days prior to and during the late waterfowl season.

  • Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass: 5 per day in combination.
  • Largemouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Spotted Bass: no length limit.
  • Crappie (all species): 20 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit.
  • Catfish (all species): No creel limit for fish 34 inches and less in length; only one fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
  • Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: 2 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
  • Yellow Bass: no creel or length limit.
  • Walleye: 5 per day, 16 inch minimum length limit.
  • Sauger: 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Paddlefish: 2 per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
  • Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
  • Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: no creel or length limit.

Kentucky Lake

Includes the following dewatering areas—West Sandy, Big Sandy, Gin Creek, Camden Bottoms, Duck River Bottoms, Busseltown, Perryville, and Gumdale. The dewatering areas are closed to fishing 5 days prior to and during the late waterfowl season.

  • Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass: 5 per day in combination.
  • Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Spotted Bass: no length limit.
  • Crappie (all species): 20 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit—this includes all dewatering areas.
  • Catfish (all species): No creel limit for fish 34 inches and less in length; only one fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
  • Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: 2 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
  • Yellow Bass: no creel or length limit.
  • Walleye: 5 per day, 16 inch minimum length limit.
  • Sauger: 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Paddlefish: 2 per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
  • Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
  • Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: no creel or length limit.

Pickwick

  • Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass: 5 per day in combination.
  • Largemouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Spotted Bass: no length limit.
  • Crappie (all species): 30 per day in combination, 9 inch minimum length limit.
  • Catfish (all species): No creel limit for fish 34 inches and less in length; only one fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
  • Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: 2 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
  • Yellow Bass: no creel or length limit.
  • Walleye: 5 per day, 16 inch minimum length limit.
  • Sauger: 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Paddlefish: 2 per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
  • Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
  • Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: no creel or length limit.

Reelfoot

Preservation Permit required for lake users except those under 16 years of age, residents 65 years or older, and lifetime or sportsman license holders. The use of gasoline powered boats is prohibited in TWRA posted areas April 1 through May 31.

  • Largemouth/Spotted Bass: 5 per day in combination.
  • Largemouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Spotted Bass: no length limit.
  • Crappie (all species): 30 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit.
  • Catfish (all species): No creel limit for fish 34 inches and less in length; only one fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
  • Yellow Bass: no creel or length limit.
  • Paddlefish: 2 per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
  • Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
  • Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: no creel or length limit.