Tennessee Angler Recognition Program
The Tennessee Angler Recognition Program (TARP) gives anglers an opportunity to have their trophy fish recognized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Anglers of any age, who catch any of the 27 qualifying fish species and lengths may apply. See the "Qualifying Species and Length Chart".
The TWRA Fisheries Management Division sends those accomplished anglers certificates featuring color ©copyrighted reproductions of fish artwork by renowned wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri. You can view and purchase Tomelleri's artwork by visiting his website at http://www.americanfishes.com/
The program is designed to acknowledge anglers for outstanding sport fishing accomplishments, encourage catch-and-release of trophy-size fish, and provide the TWRA with information on large fish caught throughout the state.
TARP should not be confused with the Tennessee State Record Fish program that recognizes anglers who catch a new Tennessee State Record Fish (largest fish recorded, by weight, for that species in the state.) Instead, TARP recognizes anglers who catch trophy-size fish, by length, that are not necessarily state records. If you believe your catch exceeds the current state record for that species, you should immediately contact a TWRA Fisheries Biologist for positive identification of the fish and the appropriate application.
TARP features six levels of angler recognition.
- Any angler catching one of any of the 27 qualifying fish species that meets or exceeds the minimum "trophy" length requirements (see chart below), will receive a Trophy Fish Certificate, depicting the species.
- Anglers submitting five (5) fish species in any combination receive a Master Angler level I certificate and patch at no cost (See examples below).
- Anglers submitting five trophy-size fish of different species receive a Master Angler level II certificate and patch.
- The Master Angler III level will be awarded to anglers submitting ten different trophy species. In addition to a certificate and patch, the angler will receive a "gift card " courtesy of Bass Pro Shops-Kodak, Tennessee.
5. The Master Angler IV certificate will be awarded to anglers submitting fifteen different trophy species. The award will consist of a certificate, patch, and a trophy.
6. The newest level, Master Angler V, will be awarded to anglers submitting twenty different trophy fish, and will receive a certificate, patch, and engraved plaque.
How Do You Qualify?
- The fish must meet or exceed the minimum lengths listed in the table on this page (Qualifying Species and Length)
- Persons 13 years of age or older must be licensed anglers and must provide their license number (TWRA#) on the application.
- The fish must be caught legally (in accordance with Tennessee Sportfishing Regulations) in Tennessee waters, by sportfishing methods only (rod and reel or cane pole).
- The length of the fish must be verified by either a witness or a photograph. The witness must complete the section on the application and/or the photo must be of the fish lying flat on top of or beside a flat measuring rule or tape and included with the application. Note that photographs of the angler holding their catch may be used in TWRA publications, including the Agency's website. Note that a picture of the fish may be requested/required for any submitted application at the discretion of TWRA.
How Do You Apply
An application form may be obtained by clicking this link (Adobe Acrobat Reader required) or by contacting the TWRA Fisheries Management Division at (615) 781-6575. Complete one application for each fish you are registering. You may include more than one application form per envelope. If the fish length is being verified by photo, the picture must be enclosed with the application. For each Trophy Fish application, a $5.00 processing fee, must be enclosed and mailed within 90 days from the date of catch. Make check or money order payable to TWRA and mail, with the application(s), to the address at the bottom of the application. The processing fee is non-refundable for non-qualifying applications.
| Species | Minimum Length (inches) |
| Largemouth Bass | 22 |
| Spotted Bass | 18 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 20 |
| Striped Bass | 40 |
| Cherokee Bass (Hybrid Striped Bass) | 28 |
| White Bass | 18 |
| Yellow Bass | 11 |
| Crappie (Black or White) | 14 |
| Bluegill | 10 |
| Redear Sunfish | 11 |
| Rock Bass | 10 |
| Sauger | 20 |
| Walleye | 28 |
| Yellow Perch | 11 |
| Muskellunge | 40 |
| Brook Trout | 10 |
| Brown Trout | 26 |
| Rainbow Trout | 24 |
| Lake Trout | 28 |
| Channel Catfish | 28 |
| Blue Catfish | 36 |
| Flathead Catfish | 36 |
| Common Carp | 34 |
| Freshwater Drum | 28 |
| Bowfin | 26 |
| Longnose Gar | 45 |
| SPECIES | QUALIFYING LENGTH (inches) | TOTAL SUBMITTED | LARGEST (inches) | WATERBODY | COUNTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK CRAPPIE | 14 | 577 | 19.75 | MELTON HILL | KNOX |
| BLUE CATFISH | 36 | 901 | 61.00 | NICKAJACK | MARION |
| BLUEGILL | 10 | 254 | 14.25 | CENTER HILL | DeKALB |
| BOWFIN | 26 | 5 | 30.00 | W.C. JOHNSON PARK LAKE | SHELBY |
| BROOK TROUT | 10 | 499 | 19.00 | OBEY RIVER | CLAY |
| BROWN TROUT | 26 | 198 | 35.00 | S. F. HOLSTON RIVER | SULLIVAN |
| CHANNEL CATFISH | 28 | 123 | 44.25 | BARKLEY RESERVOIR | STEWART |
| CHEROKEE BASS | 28 | 114 | 38.75 | FT. LOUDOUN RESERVOIR | BLOUNT |
| COMMON CARP | 34 | 152 | 51.25 | PRIVATE LAKE | WASHINGTON |
| FLATHEAD CATFISH | 36 | 308 | 60.00 | BARKLEY RESERVOIR | MONTGOMERY |
| FRESHWATER DRUM | 28 | 257 | 39.00 | GUNTERSVILLE | MARION |
| 39.00 | NICKAJACK | HAMILTON | |||
| 39.00 | NORRIS | CAMPBELL | |||
| LAKE TROUT | 28 | 51 | 34.75 | WATAUGA LAKE | CARTER |
| LARGEMOUTH BASS | 22 | 756 | 29.00 | PRIVATE LAKE | HAYWOOD |
| 29.00 | LAKE SHERWOOD | CUMBERLAND | |||
| 29.00 | PARKSVILLE LAKE | POLK | |||
| LONGNOSE GAR | 45 | 19 | 56.50 | KENTUCKY RESERVOIR | HARDIN |
| MUSKELLUNGE | 40 | 116 | 53.40 | MELTON HILL | ANDERSON |
| RAINBOW TROUT | 24 | 126 | 34.50 | WATAUGA RIVER | CARTER |
| REDEAR SUNFISH | 11 | 457 | 14.50 | CENTER HILL | DeKALB |
| 14.50 | OCOEE LAKE | POLK | |||
| ROCK BASS | 10 | 272 | 14.50 | DUCK RIVER | BEDFORD |
| SAUGER | 20 | 59 | 24.50 | PARKSVILLE RESERVOIR | POLK |
| SMALLMOUTH BASS | 20 | 1393 | 28.00 | CHEROKEE | JEFFERSON |
| SPOTTED BASS | 18 | 157 | 23.25 | PARKSVILLE | POLK |
| STRIPED BASS | 40 | 399 | 51.00 | CANEY FORK RIVER | SMITH |
| WALLEYE | 28 | 79 | 34.00 | CORDELL HULL | JACKSON |
| WHITE BASS | 18 | 70 | 24.00 | MISSISSIPPI RIVER | SHELBY |
| WHITE CRAPPIE | 14 | 938 | 18.75 | CHICKAMAUGA | HAMILTON |
| YELLLOW BASS | 11 | 57 | 14.00 | CLINCH RIVER | ANDERSON |
| YELLOW PERCH | 11 | 233 | 16.00 (3) | CHILHOWEE LAKE | BLOUNT/MONROE |
TARP Certificates & Patches
Master Angler II
Anglers submitting five (5) different fish species
Master Angler II certificate
Master Angler II patch
Master Angler III
The Master Angler III level will be awarded to anglers submitting ten different trophy species.
Master Angler III certificate
Master Angler III patch
Master Angler IV
The Master Angler IV certificate will be awarded to anglers submitting fifteen different trophy species.
Master Angler IV certificate
Master Angler IV patch
Master Angler V
Master Angler V is forthcoming and will be awarded to anglers submitting twenty different trophy fish, and will receive a certificate, patch, and engraved plaque.
Downloadable TARP List
Master Angler I Master Angler II Master Angler III Master Angler IV Master Angler V
