Watts Bar WMA

Directions and Description

Site Directions: To Thief Neck Island lake access: From US 70 in Kingston, take Hwy 58 south 3.6 miles to River Road (Hwy 304), turn right and follow River Road along the eastern shore.  Also, from Rockwood, take US 27/ Hwy 29 south to Spring City for access to the western shore. Thief Neck Marina is reached via Valley and Winton Chapel Roads.  Lat: 35.81045°N Long: -84.66071°W

Directions to Long Island Lake Access:  From US 70 in Kingston, take Hwy 58 south 3.6 miles to River Road (Hwy 304).  Turn right and follow River Road along the eastern shore.  Also, from Rockwood, take US 27/ Hwy 29 south to Spring City for access to the western shore. Lat  35.82752, Long: -84.50711

Duck Island, Watts Bar - Lat: 35.40'20.21 Long: N -84 50'30.68"

The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, note hunting seasons.   License fees may apply.  

TWRA Contact Information: Region 3 Office 1-931-484-9571, Toll-Free: 1-833-402-4698, E-mail the office, TWRA Area Manager: Rob Klippel 1-423-693-6791

The entire Island except juveniles may use shotguns or muzzleloaders during the statewide Young Sportsman hunt. Island access via boat only.  In spring and summer, Osprey are common nesting birds across the lake.  They nest on poles and structures and can be viewed best by boat; however please keep a safe distance from nesting pairs to avoid disturbing them and their young.  In winter, waterfowl and Bald Eagles are common.

Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Cattle Egret, and Great Egret nest on islands in the lake.  White-tailed deer, raccoon, muskrat, fox, and coyote are common around the lake.

Regulations & Dates

Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - same as statewide season, except as noted. Waterfowl hunting is allowed from temporary blinds only. No blinds, blind materials, boats, or decoys may be left overnight.

Quail - Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 15, 2025.

Dog Training - Sept. 1, 2024 - March 15, 2025.

IRON HILL ISLAND; LONG ISLAND UNIT; THIEF NECK ISLAND UNIT

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Small game hunting is open with statewide seasons, except it is shotgun archery only. During the deer season, small game hunting is closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on Thief Neck Island.

Deer - Archery equipment only for deer except juveniles may use shotguns or muzzleloaders during statewide Young Sportsman hunts. Centerfire rifles are prohibited.

Quail - Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 15, 2025.

Trapping - Same as statewide season, except no trapping during the duck season on the Long Island Unit.

Photos