Bacteriological and Fishing Advisories

When the waters in Tennessee are found to have high bacteria levels or when fish are contaminated and pose a potential risk to people, we want to make sure that the citizens of Tennessee are aware of those threats to public health. The department notifies citizens when the waters are not safe to swim in and/or that the fish are not safe to eat. We do that through news releases, posting of warning signs and updating our advisories list.
For more information about streams, rivers, and reservoirs posted for bacteriological or fish tissue contamination, in addition to the contact listed below, you can always call 1-888-891-TDEC (8332) or e-mail AskTDEC .
Press Releases:
May 5, 2025
TDEC Issues Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisories:
Chester County - Lake Placid - Largemouth Bass
Dekalb & Putnam Counties - Center Hill Reservoir - Walleye 19 inches & larger
Fayette County - Herb Parsons Lake - Largemouth Bass
Hardeman County - Section of the Hatchie River - Black Bass
Hardeman County - Lake Lajoie - Largemouth Bass
Hardin County - Pickwick Lake - Catfish
Sullivan County - Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir - Catfish
TDEC Lifts Water Contact Advisory for Beech Branch
Sevier County - Beech Branch in Gatlinburg
January 15, 2025
TDEC Lifts Water Contact Advisory Following Hurricane Helene (all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga rivers watersheds)
October 2, 2024
TDEC Issues Temporary Water Contact Advisories for East Tennessee Areas Affected by Extreme Flooding
September 7, 2023
Contact Advisories:
Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisories:
- Blount and Monroe Counties - Chilhowee Reservoir - black bass (mercury)
- Cheatham & Davidson Counties - Cheatham Reservoir - catfish (PCBs)
- Coffee & Franklin Counties - Woods Reservoir - 'Do Not Consume' advisory changed to precautionary advisory for the consumption of catfish (PCBs)
- Crockett County - Davy Crockett Lake - largemouth bass (mercury)
- Gibson County - Gibson County Lake - largemouth bass (mercury)
- Van Buren County - Fall Creek Falls Lake - largemouth bass
Lifting Advisories:
Contact
Debbie Arnwine
Debbie.Arnwine@tn.gov
615-532-0703
Advice about Eating Fish
This Page Last Updated: May 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM