Henderson Island Refuge
Directions and Description
Site Directions: From I-40 take exit 417, take TN-92 South for 2.3 miles, turn right onto Gay Street for 0.1 miles, then turn right onto West Main Street and travel for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Old Nichols Ferry Road then drive across the Lake bottom to the gate (during early fall and spring) Lat: 36.005017°N Long: -83.434348°W
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, with access dependent on hunting seasons. License fees may apply.
Henderson Island is closed to all entry from 15 November through the last day of February. The WMA is primarily accessed by boat via Douglas Reservoir from spring to early fall. Vehicle access to the gate is permitted when TVA drops Douglas Reservoir down to the winter pool. Henderson Island is foot travel only.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 4 office: 1-423-587-7037, Toll-Free: 1-800-332-0900, Email the office, TWRA Area Manager: David Sams 1-423-235-4882
Description: Located near the town of Dandridge. Henderson Island is a 525-acre Refuge located on Douglas Reservoir. A six-acre impoundment has been used as a waterfowl refuge since 1990. In 2001 renovations began to modernize the impoundment so it could be used for fingerling production. An electric pump and diesel generator were installed to pump water up a 100-foot bluff for the impoundment and adjacent wetland. For the birdwatcher, Henderson Island is a good place in east Tennessee area to find a large variety of hawks, sparrows, waterfowl, and neotropical migrants.
Regulations & Dates
Closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15 - the last day of Feb. Public entry and fishing are permitted while in the main river channel passing through the refuge.
Horses prohibited.
Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for small game hunting as posted.
All small game hunting is Youth/Adult only. Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 years or older, who may also hunt.
Blaze orange is required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts (excluding spring turkey).
Big game and small game are the same as statewide seasons, except as noted.
All small game hunting and dog training, excluding raccoon and opossum, closes at 4 p.m. Quail season is closed.
Rabbit - Nov. 1-14, 2024.
Dog training - Rabbit and Quail - Oct. 1 - Nov.14, 2024. All other: March 1 - Oct. 31
