TWRA First Fish Award

First Fish Award Example Image

The First Fish Award is designed to commemorate that special moment in everybody's life-the landing of their first fish. The award recognizes this special moment with a frameable certificate identifying the angler, the fish caught, and other details of that moment. The size of the fish and age of the angler have no bearing, only that the fish is their first, and that it was caught in Tennessee.

How to Get Your First Fish Award?

There are 2 ways an angler can receive their first fish award. There is no charge for using either method.

  1. You can download this Printable First Fish Award Certificate (unsigned), which you can then fill out and print, giving you an unsigned First Fish Award at home by yourself.
  2. Or you can use our online First Fish Award Certificate Request Form to request a signed award certificate and/or submit a picture of the catch to be placed on the webpage below. We will fill out the award certificate, print it, have it signed by the Chief of Fisheries, mail it to the angler, and add any images submitted below.
  3. Or you can download, fill out, print, and mail our First Fish Award Certificate Request Form, found above, to request a signed award certificate and/or submit a picture of the catch to be placed on the webpage below.  Please mail the request form to the TWRA Fisheries Management Division at the address on the form (instructions included).  We will fill out the award certificate, print it, have it signed by the Chief of Fisheries, mail it to the angler, and add any images sent below.   
  4.  Check out some photos of some first catches. 

Congratulations On Your First Fish!

Caleb Breaux caught a Catfish at Papa's Dock in Gallatin, TN, on July 18, 2025.  Congratulations Caleb!
Caleb Breaux caught a Catfish at Papa's Dock in Gallatin, TN, on July 18, 2025. Congratulations Caleb!
Sebastian Steeves caught a Bluegill at Cumberland Mountain State Park on March 08, 2026.  Congratulations Sebastian!
Sebastian Steeves caught a Bluegill at Cumberland Mountain State Park, TN, on March 08, 2026. Congratulations Sebastian!
Wade Ruth caught a Rainbow Trout at Chilhowee Lake, Cherokee National Forest, on April 20, 2025.  Congratulations Wade!
Wade Ruth caught a Rainbow Trout at Chilhowee Lake, Cherokee National Forest, on April 20, 2025. Congratulations Wade!
Parker Pool caught a Trout at Rock Creek Park, TN on June 11, 2025
Parker Pool caught a Trout at Rock Creek Park, TN, on June 11, 2025. Congratulations Parker!
Enslie Bodine shows a Largemouth Bass caught  on Rocky Ford Road, TN on September 27, 2025.
Enslie Bodine caught a Largemouth Bass on Rocky Ford Road, TN, on September 27, 2025. Congratulations Enslie!
Adelaide McClanahan caught a Bluegill at Malone Pond in Brighton TN, on April 18, 2025.
Adelaide McClanahan caught a Bluegill at Malone Pond in Brighton TN, on April 18, 2025. Congratulations Adelaide!
Jay Nolan McIntosh shows a Bass caught at Gibson County Lake, Trenton, TN on November 20, 2025.
Jay Nolan McIntosh caught a Bass at Gibson County Lake, Trenton, TN, on November 20, 2025. Congratulations Jay!
Mina Jones shows a Bluegill caught at Center Hill Lake, TN, on July 06, 2025.
Mina Jones caught a Bluegill at Center Hill Lake, TN, on July 06, 2025. Congratuations Mina!
Damon Fox shows a Green Sunfish, caught at Center Hill Lake, TN, on August 17, 2025.
Damon Fox caught a Green Sunfish at Center Hill Lake, TN, on August 17, 2025. Congratulations Damon!
Gwenyth Haley shows a Stripe Bass caught in Gallatin TN, on Nov 04, 2025 .
Gwenyth Haley caught a Stripe Bass in Gallatin, TN, on November 04, 2025. Congratulations Gwenyth!
Walter Lomax caught a Bluegill at Rotary Park in Gallatin Tennessee on November 1, 2025.
Walter Lomax caught a Bluegill at Rotary Park in Gallatin, TN, on November 1, 2025. Congratulations Walter!
Aedan O'Brien shows a Brim caught at Tim's Ford Lake in Tennessee on October 15, 2025.
Aedan O'Brien caught a Brim at Tim's Ford Lake in TN, on October 15, 2025. Congratulations Aedan!
Levi Ragsdale caught a Brim at Tim's Ford Lake in Tennessee on October 15, 2025.
Levi Ragsdale caught a Brim at Tim's Ford Lake in TN, on October 15, 2025. Congratulations Levi!
Alexander Ilgenfritz shows a Bluegill caught in Crossville, TN, on October 05, 2025.
Alexander Ilgenfritz caught a Bluegill in Crossville, TN, on October 05, 2025. Congratulations Alexander!
Michael Davis shows a Bluegill caught at Louisville Point Park in Louisville TN on October 21, 2025.
Michael Davis caught a Bluegill at Louisville Point Park in Louisville, TN, on October 21, 2025. Congratulations Michael!
James Howe shows a Smallmouth Bass caught at Louisville Point Park in Louisville TN on October 21, 2025.
James Howe caught a Smallmouth Bass at Louisville Point Park in Louisville, TN, on October 21, 2025. Congratulations James!
Burgess Lee shows a Bluegill caught  at the East Tennessee Nursery in Delano TN on October 10, 2025.
Burgess Lee caught a Bluegill at the East Tennessee Nursery in Delano, TN, on October 10, 2025. Congratulations Burgess!
Peyton Terry shows a Redear Sunfish caught in Tazewell TN, on October 15, 2025.
Peyton Terry caught a Redear Sunfish in Tazewell, TN, on October 15, 2025. Congratulations Peyton!
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