Region 4

Reservoir Regulations

Reservoir 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.

Boone

Reservoir defined as from dam upstream to Highway 390 Bridge at Bluff City on South Fork Holston arm and upstream to new Austin Springs Bridge on Watauga arm.

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: 2 per day in combination; only one (1) may be a Striped Bass.
• Striped Bass: One (1) per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.
• Hybrid Striped Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout (all species): Seven (7) per day, 16-22 inch PLR, only one (1) over 22 inches; trout regulations extend upstream to the 11 E bridge on the Watauga arm.

Calderwood

• Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass: Five (5) per day in combination. Only two (2) less than 14 inches.
• Crappie (all species): 20 per day in combination, eight (8) inch minimum length limit.
• Catfish (all species): No creel or length limit
• Walleye: Eight (8) per day, no length limit.
• Sauger: Eight (8) per day, 15 inch minimum length limit
• Rock Bass: No creel or length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: No creel or length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout: Seven (7) per day, no length limit.
• White Bass: 10 per day, 14 inch minimum length limit.
• Muskellunge: One (1) per day, 42 inch minimum length limit.

Cherokee

Restrictions extend from Cherokee Dam upstream to John Sevier Dam.

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: 5 per day in combination. Individual species length and creel to follow.
  • Largemouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit
  • Smallmouth Bass:
    • June 1–Oct. 15: One (1) per day, 18 inch minimum length limit.
    • Oct. 16–May 31: 5 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted/Alabama Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: Two (2) per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Walleye/Sauger/Saugeye: 10 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Paddlefish: One (1) per day, no length limit. Season is open from April 1–15. Culling is prohibited. Holston River from Malinda Ferry Road (Hwy. 344) bridge upstream to John Sevier Dam is closed to snagging from March 1–31 and April 16–May 31.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.

Special Restrictions:

July 15–Sept. 15: Closed fishing zone in effect. This zone is enclosed by lines from the boat ramp at the south end of the dam across the lake to Point 2, from Point 2 to Point 3, and from Point 3 back across the lake to the TWRA boat ramp at the north end of the dam. All bank fishing will be open and the coves along the southeast shoreline will be open to boat fishing, but no fishing for any species will be allowed by boat in the described zone from July 15 through Sept. 15.

Chilhowee

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: 14 inch minimum length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted Bass/Alabama Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Sauger: 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Walleye: Five (5) per day, 16 inch minimum length limit.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout: Seven (7) per day, no length limit, only two (2) may be lake trout.
• Yellow Perch: 15 per day, no length limit.

Douglas

Restrictions extend from Douglas Dam upstream to the ENKA Dam on the Nolichucky River, Highway 321 bridge in Newport on Pigeon River, and Highway 321 bridge on French Broad River. Restrictions on Walleye and Sauger or Sauger/Walleye hybrids also include Pigeon and French Broad Rivers upstream of Douglas Dam to NC state line.

• Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass: Five (5) per day year-round.
• Oct. 1–May 31: no length limit.
• June 1–Sept. 30: Only one (1) Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass over 16 inches per day.
• Spotted Bass: No length limit, year-round.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• White Bass/Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Walleye/Sauger or Walleye/Sauger Hybrids: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Walleye: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Sauger or Sauger/Walleye Hybrids: No minimum length limit but only one (1) may be over 16 inches per day.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Muskellunge: One (1) per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.

Ft. Loudoun

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: 14 inch minimum length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted/Alabama Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) 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.
• Sauger: 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Walleye: Five (5) per day, 16 inch minimum length limit.
• Paddlefish: Two (2) per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.

Ft. Patrick Henry

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: No length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: Two (2) per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Walleye: Five (5) per day, 18 inch minimum length limit.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout (all species): Seven (7) per day; 16-22 inch PLR for Rainbow and Brown Trout, with only one (1) over 22 inches in effect from Boone Dam downstream to Louis Milhorn Bridge on Beulah Church Drive.

John Sevier

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: No length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 13–17 inch PLR, only one (1) Smallmouth bass over 17 inches per day.
• Spotted Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.

Melton Hill

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: 14 inch minimum length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted Bass: 15 per day, no minimum length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: Two (2) per day in combination, including Clinch River upstream to Highway 61 bridge in Clinton.
• Striped Bass: 32–42 inch PLR; only one (1) fish may be over 42 inches.
• Hybrid Striped Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Yellow Bass: No creel or length limit.
• Sauger: 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Walleye: Five (5) per day, 16 inch minimum length limit.
• Muskellunge: One (1) per day, 50 inch minimum length limit. Muskellunge that are not intended to be harvested must be released immediately in a manner that promotes survival of the fish. Culling is not allowed.
• Paddlefish: Two (2) per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout: Seven (7) per day, no length limit.

Norris

Extends from the dam upstream to the Hwy. 25E bridge on the Clinch River arm and upstream to Gap Creek on the Powell River arm.

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination, only one (1) Smallmouth Bass June 1 through Oct. 15
• Largemouth Bass: 14 inch minimum length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass:
  • June 1–Oct. 15: One (1) per day, 18 inch minimum length limit.
  • Oct. 16–May 31: Five (5) per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted/Alabama Bass: No creel or length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 10 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Striped Bass:
  • April 1–Oct. 31: Two (2) per day, 15 inch minimum length limit.
  • Nov. 1–March 31: One (1) per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Yellow Bass: No creel or length limit.
• Walleye/Sauger: Five (5) per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit (upstream to Grissom Island on the Clinch River).
• Paddlefish: Two (2) per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Muskellunge: One (1) per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: 30 per day, no length limit.

South Holston (TN + VA Rules)

An additional South Holston Reservoir License is available for TN residents that want to fish Virginia portion of reservoir. (See License Fees)

Restricted to 15 limblines per angler.

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: No length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted Bass: No creel or length limits.
• Crappie (all species): 15 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit.
• Catfish (all species): 20 per day in combination. Only one (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• White Bass: No harvest allowed.
• Walleye: Five (5) per day, 18 inch minimum length limit. Includes tributaries.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill: 50 per day, no length limit.
• Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout: Seven (7) per day, only two (2) may be Lake Trout.

Tellico

Tellico Reservoir boundary extends upstream on Tellico River to Big Creek Boat Ramp. The following restrictions apply to this area.

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
• Largemouth Bass: 14 inch minimum length limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted/Alabama Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: Two (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/Sauger: 10 per day in combination but no more than five (5) may be Walleye. 15 inch minimum length limit. One (1) Walleye may be 24 inches or larger. Includes tributaries.
• Paddlefish: Two (2) per day; season is open from April 24 through May 31. Culling is prohibited.
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout: Seven (7) per day, no length limit.

Watauga

• Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass: Five (5) per day in combination.
  • Largemouth Bass: 12 inch minimum length limit.
  • Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch minimum length limit.
• Spotted Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Crappie (all species): 15 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 (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
• White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit.
• Walleye: Five (5) per day, 18 inch minimum length limit.
  • Jan. 1–April 30: Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait) on the following waters: Elk River (Highway 321 bridge downstream to Row Branch), Doe Creek (Old Cabin Private Road downstream to Roan Creek), Roan Creek (Mountain Lake Estates Bridge downstream to Doe Creek), and Watauga River (NC line downstream to the end of Cowanstown Road).
• Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Redear Sunfish: 20 per day, no length limit.
• Bluegill/Warmouth and other sunfishes: No creel or length limit.
• Trout: Seven (7) per day, no length limit, only two (2) may be Lake Trout.