Tennessee Fishing Guide and Regulations
What's New for 2026-27
Regulations
Region 1 (West TN)
Herb Parsons Lake
• Proclaimed Herb Parsons Refuge and Bill Dance Lake State Fishing Area
Travis McNatt Lake at Big Hill Pond State Park
• Black Bass: Catch and release only.
Region 2 (Middle TN)
Woodhaven Lake at Montgomery Bell State Park
• Black Bass: Catch and release only.
Region 3 (Cumberland Plateau)
Piney River
• Removed delayed harvest regulations.
Big Soddy Creek
• Moved the start of delayed harvest season from October 1 to November 1,
Catoosa WMA
• All streams and ponds are open to fishing except during deer hunts and wild hog control seasons.
Basic Laws
• Under no circumstance shall live fish, crayfish, or salamanders be intentionally released or stocked into Tennessee waters away from the waters from which they were harvested.
• Explosives, chemicals, and electrical shocking devices are strictly forbidden, and their use carries heavy penalties.
• Shooting with any type of firearm or air gun to injure or take fish or turtles is prohibited.
• All boaters and passengers must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket within the area designated and appropriately marked as a hazardous area below any dam and/or lock.
• It is illegal to take any fish, crayfish, salamander, or turtle that is listed as endangered, threatened, or in need of management.
• It is illegal to sell or offer to sell fish or turtles without a commercial fishing license.
Definitions
Bait: Any living or dead organism, or prepared substance designed to attract fish by taste or odor. For the purpose of this proclamation, bait includes, but is not limited to, fish, fish eggs, crayfish, worms, grubs, crickets, corn, cheese, bread, pork rinds, putty or paste-type products, and flavors or scents applied to or inserted into artificial lures.
Culling: The removal of a fish from the creel limit and replacing it with another fish of the same species. The released fish must be a live, healthy specimen that should be expected to survive once it is returned to its natural environment.
Gigging: The taking of fish by means of a handheld pole or spear with a tip consisting of a single, sharpened point or one (1) or more sharpened barbed points. This includes, but is not limited to, gear known as the Hawaiian sling.
Single hook: A hook with only one (1) point.
Snagging: The taking of fish using one (1) or more single, double, or treble hooks that are manipulated or jerked through the water in such a manner as to impale or hook fish.
Spear gun: Any device designed to propel a spear through water and is drawn or held by a mechanical device.
Notice of inspection Law
It is the duty of every person participating in the privileges of taking or possessing wildlife to permit agency officers to ascertain whether the requirements of this title are being faithfully complied with, including the possession of a proper license. It is a violation of law to refuse such inspection or to interfere with an officer attempting such inspection. TCA 70-6-101(b)(1)
(PLR) Protected Length Range
PLR is a Protected Length Range. Fish in this length range may not be harvested. To promote the growth of bigger bass in these lakes, anglers are encouraged to harvest their daily limit of bass shorter than the listed PLR.
Contaminates
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Division of Water Pollution Control issues advisories for the consumption of fish from certain Tennessee waters. The following information is subject to change and was copied from TDEC’s site. Concerned individuals should visit TDEC’s site for more information about these advisories, bacteriological advisories, and tips on how to reduce risks from contaminated fish.
For specific information regarding aquatic contaminants or affected waters, contact:
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Water Pollution Control website
Call: TDEC Office 615-532-0703
