CROSSVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)’s Division of Biodiversity held the 2026 Bat Blitz in late September, a two-night biological survey that provides an intense snapshot of bat species living in an area. Two federally endangered bats and one proposed endangered species were reported.
BRISTOL, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Fisheries Division presented the final draft for the 2027-36 Tennessee Black Bass Management Plan and also introduced a preview of the Tennessee Trout Management Plan among agenda items at the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s October two-day meeting held at Bristol Motor Speedway.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced it will follow its comprehensive black bass management model to develop the state's upcoming 2028–37 Tennessee Trout Management Plan. The announcement came at the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s October meeting in Bristol.
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn.-- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is temporarily closing Browns Creek Lake and Browns Lake Road in Natchez Trace State Park for parking renovation of the area beginning Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, 2026.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TWRA) will hold its October 8-9 meeting at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Bruton Smith Building Banquet Room. The committee meetings begin Thursday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. (EDT), with full Commission proceedings continuing Friday at 9 a.m. To watch both days of the meeting, visit the TWRA YouTube Channel.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is proud to announce the official naming of Bill Dance Lake at the newly established Herb Parsons Wildlife Refuge, honoring two legendary Tennesseans whose contributions have shaped outdoor recreation and heritage across the state. The naming was previously approved by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission and officially announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on September 30.
NASHVILLE--- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the National Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
TRENTON, Tenn. - The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is actively working to address issues at the Gibson County Lake boat ramp. Low lake levels have caused prop wash from boats loading onto trailers to create large holes at the end of the ramp. This can damage trailers and make it difficult for everyone to launch their boats. TWRA personnel are filling these holes with rock as a temporary solution so anglers can continue using the lake.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is celebrating Gov. Bill Lee’s proclamation highlighting National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD), observed on Saturday, Sept. 26. NHFD also coincides with the launch of the 2026 statewide fall archery season for deer and the fall archery season for turkey in select counties.
NASHVILLE ---The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) reminds hunters that the state’s 2026 archery-only, white-tailed deer season and the fall turkey season open on Saturday, Sept. 26.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced the application period for the 2026 Early Season (Tier 2) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Waterfowl Hunts will be open from Sept. 23 through Oct. 13.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. --- Registration for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s (TWRA) Tennessee Biodiversity Summit will remain open, with walk-ins accepted on the day of the event until capacity of 900 attendees is reached. Those interested in attending must register before Oct. 1 to receive lunch at the event. Those registering after Oct. 1 will not receive lunch with the registration package.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is pleased to report no boating-related fatalities over the Labor Day holiday weekend. The TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division compiled the holiday statistics after receiving reports from the Agency’s four regions.
NASHVILLE--- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) biologists held their second annual Benthic Blitz covering 123 sites from 10 watersheds within the Upper Cumberland River Basin. They included the Caney, Collins, and Calfkiller Rivers. A benthic blitz is critical for maintaining wildlife diversity and aims to fill data gaps and targets rare animals such as bottom-dwelling snails, mussels, crayfish, and fish. Healthy aquatic ecosystems should have a wide range of species.
NASHVILLE--- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced the return of Mike Bell to the Agency as Special Assistant to the Executive Director after a two-year stint as the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention. Prior to his previous role with the state, Bell served as TWRA’s Legislative Director from 2022-2024.