Trout Fishing & Stockings

NOTE: Fall trout stockings may be delayed in Carter, Greene, Hamilton, and Unicoi Counties.  Check our TN Trout Socking Report https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/fishing/trout-information-stockings.html#report to see if locations have been stocked.  This report is updated twice a week.

Email sign up link

Catch and Release Methods


If practicing catch and release, follow these steps to ensure the best chance of survival:

  •  Land the fish as quickly as possible.  Do not play the fish to exhaustion.
  •  Use shallow landing net with soft, knotless mesh or rubber netting.
  •  Keep fish in water when handling & removing hooks.
  •  If deeply hooked, cut the line. Do not pull hook out.
  • Release fish only after it has recovered.  If necessary, gently hold the fish facing upstream in slow moving current.

Trout Stocking Schedules 

Trout Stocking Report

This list identifies where adult Brook, Brown, or Rainbow trout were recently stocked into Tennessee waters.

Note: The stocking report is updated bi-weekly through stocking season.  The dates listed next to the water body are representative of when the water was last stocked as information is available. There are many factors that may impact when fish can be stocked, so the scheduled stocking dates are subject to change.

NOTE: Fall trout stockings may be delayed in Carter, Greene, Hamilton, and Unicoi Counties. 

Region Destination Stocking Date

Tennessee Trout Regulations


(PLR) Protected Length Range Definition 

PLR is a Protected Length Range. Fish in this length range may not be harvested. To promote growth of bigger bass in these lakes, anglers are encouraged to harvest their daily limit of bass shorter than the listed PLR.

Statewide Trout Regulations

Any combination of trout species:

•   Daily Limit: seven (7)
•   Minimum Length Limit: None

Exceptions:

•   Only two (2) trout in a creel may be Lake Trout
•   See the following information for specific regulations in some locations

Delayed Harvest Areas

In the areas listed below, the harvest or possession of trout is prohibited during the catch-and-release season. During the catch-and-release season, only artificial lures are permitted and the use or possession of bait is prohibited.

Big Soddy Creek: Upstream of Back Valley Road.

•   Catch-and-release season Oct. 1 through Feb 28.

Buffalo Creek: Mill dam downstream to Buffalo Springs WMA boundary.

•   Catch-and-release season Oct. 1– Jan. 31.

Doe River: Roan Mountain State Park boundaries.

•   Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1– Feb 28.

Hiwassee River: Appalachian Powerhouse downstream to L&N Railroad Bridge.

•   Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1 - through Feb 28.

Paint Creek: Paint Creek Campground downstream to mouth at French Broad River.

•   Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1 - through Feb 28.

Piney River: Cumberland Trail State Park downstream to Highway 27 Bridge.

•   Catch-and-release season is Nov. 1 - through Feb 28.

Tellico River: Mouth of North River upstream to the Tennessee - North Carolina state line.

•   Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1 - through Feb 28.

Special Trout Regulations

Caney Fork River: Center Hill Dam to Cumberland River, including tributaries.

•   Total daily creel of all trout (rainbow, brown, and brook) in combination is Five (5) fish.

•   Rainbow Trout: Five (5) per day, 14–20 inch PLR, only one fish over 20 inches may be harvested.

•   Brook Trout: Five (5) per day, 14–20 inch PLR, only one (1) fish over 20 inches may be harvested.

•   Brown Trout: One (1) per day, 24-inch minimum length limit.

•   Cutthroat Trout: Five (5) per day, 14–20 inch PLR, only one (1) fish over 20 inches may be harvested.

Elk River: Tims Ford Dam to I-65 bridge, including tributaries.

•   Brown Trout: 20-inch minimum length limit, one (1) per day.

•   Total daily creel limit of all trout species in combination is seven (7) trout.

Clinch River: Norris Dam. downstream to Hwy. 61 bridge, including tributaries

•   14–20 inch PLR on all trout.

•   Seven (7) trout creel limit, only one (1) trout may be greater than 20 inches.

Clear Creek: tributary to Clinch River—Anderson Co.

•   From Hwy. 441 upstream to the second dam (adjacent to the city of Norris water tower), closed from Nov. 1–Mar. 31. all fishing, harvest of bait, and possession of bait harvest gear is prohibited.

Buffalo Creek and tributaries within the WMA boundary (Grainger County).

•   From the mill dam upstream — closed year-round to all fishing and harvest of bait. Possession of bait harvesting gear is prohibited.

•   From the mill dam downstream—open to fishing year-round by rod and reel method only. Closed year-round to all harvest of bait. Possession of seines, cast nets and minnow/crayfish traps is prohibited.

Hiwassee River: Appalachian Powerhouse downstream to L&N Railroad Bridge.

•   March 1 through Sept. 30: Seven (7) trout creel limit, only two (2) may be brown trout.

•   Oct. 1 through Feb. 28: see delayed harvest areas.

South Fork Holston River South Holston Dam to Boone including Boone Reservoir upstream to the Hwy 11E Bridge (DeVault/Bristol Hwy. Bridge) on the Watauga arm.

•   16–22 inch PLR on all trout.

•   Seven (7) trout creel limit, only one (1) trout may be greater than 22 inches.

•   Closed to all fishing Nov. 1–Jan. 31 in the following areas:

•   Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the confluence with Bottom Creek.

•   Downstream point of Boy’s Island (first island downstream of Weaver Pike Bridge) upstream to the top of the first island above Webb Road Bridge.

Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir: Boone Dam downstream to Louis Milhorn Bridge on Beulah Church Drive.

• 16-22 inch PLR for rainbow and brown trout.

• Seven (7) trout creel limit (all species in combination), only one (1) trout may be greater than 22 inches.

Watauga River: Quality Trout:  Fishing Area Smallings bridge downstream to CSX railroad bridges.

• 14-inch minimum length limit.

• Two (2) trout creel limit.

• Use or possession of any bait is prohibited.

• Trout less than 14 inches may not be in possession.

Horse Creek: Greene County, U.S. Forest Service Boundary Line upstream to the junction of Squibb Creek.

•   Daily limit: Seven (7) trout per day, except from May 1– Sep. 30 daily limit is two (2) trout.

Slickrock Creek: That portion of Slickrock Creek which constitutes the boundary between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina.

•   Appropriate licenses from Tennessee or North Carolina are valid.

•   Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout: Daily limit of four (4) in combination with a 7-inch minimum length limit.

•   Only single-hook artificial lures are permitted. Use or possession of bait or multiple hook lures is prohibited. One (1) single-hook artificial lure separated from a legal lure by a length of line (for example, a dropper fly) is also permitted.

Dillards Ponds:

•   Four (4) trout per day.

•   Each angler is limited to one (1) rod or pole.

•   Fishing is permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.

Fort Campbell Military Reservation

Several streams on Fort Campbell Military Reservation including Dry Creek, Little West Fork and Fletcher’s Fork are stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Special fishing regulations apply and a Post Fishing Permit is required in addition to a valid Tennessee fishing license and trout stamp. For details, contact the Community Recreation Division, Hunting and Fishing Unit, Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5000; phone 270-798-9824. https://ftcampbell.isportsman.net/Permits.aspx

Tellico - Citico Permit Areas

Tellico River from its confluence with Turkey Creek upstream to the Tennessee-North Carolina state line and Citico Creek from its confluence with Little Citico Creek upstream to the confluence of North and South Forks of Citico Creek.

  • Tellico-Citico Permit required from March 1 through Aug. 15.
  • Closed on Thursday and Friday during the period March 1 through Aug. 15 (except when national or state holidays fall on Thursday and Friday). From Aug. 16 through the last day of February fishing is allowed every day and Tellico-Citico Permit is not required.
  • Daily creel limit of seven (7) trout, with no size limit.
  • Fishing is permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. 
  • The possession of fishing equipment and/or tackle is prohibited on stream banks except during legal fishing hours.
  • Each angler permitted only one (1) rod or pole.
  • Tellico River from Sourwood Campground upstream to the dam on Tellico River from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 12 p.m. is closed to fishing for individuals 17 and older on Free Fishing Day (which is the first Saturday after the first Monday of the month of June).

Green Cove Pond

  • Tellico-Citico Permit not required.
  • Daily creel limit of five (5) catfish, with no length limit.
  • Hours open – 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.
  • Each angler permitted only one (1) rod or pole.
  • Daily creel limit of seven (7) trout, with no size limit.

Wild Trout Streams and Regulations

North River and tributaries (Monroe County),

Bald River and tributaries (Monroe County).

Sycamore Creek (tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County) and tributaries.

Laurel Fork and tributaries beginning at the cable crossing ½ mile upstream from the USFS Dennis Cove Recreation Area and extending upstream to the USFS boundary (Carter County).

Beaverdam Creek and tributaries from its confluence with Birch Branch downstream to Tank Hollow Road (USFS Rd. 300) (Johnson County).

Paint Creek and tributaries from USFS campground upstream to USFS Boundary line south of Highway 70 near Munday Gap (Greene County).

Rocky Fork and tributaries upstream of Rocky Fork Rd. and State Park Entrance Rd. junction. (Greene/Unicoi Counties).

Left Prong (tributary to Hampton Creek in Carter County).

Rough Ridge Creek and tributaries.

Little Stony Creek and its tributaries upstream of the confluence with Plot Branch (1.3 miles upstream of Hwy 321 crossing).

Regulations 

  • Daily creel limit of five (5) trout with no length limit.
  • Only single-hook artificial lures are permitted.  Use or possession of bait or multiple hook lures is prohibited. One (1) single-hook artificial lure separated from a legal lure by a length of line (for example: a dropper fly) is also permitted.

Gatlinburg Trout Fishing

TWRA and the City of Gatlinburg offer a variety of trout fishing opportunities in four (4) streams. All streams are closed on Thursday each week and a Gatlinburg permit is required. Some areas are managed especially for children 12 and under.

For more information contact:

Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; phone 865-436-1200

The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, (800) 568-4748

The Gatlinburg trout facility at (865) 436-7549.  Note: The City of Gatlinburg’s Trout Hatchery is undergoing renovations and will not be stocking trout until renovations are complete. Stockings are planned to continue in November,  read more: Trout stocking of Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg, TN paused for renovations to trout farm (wate.com)

The taking of trout using a Gatlinburg Permit is allowed only within the designated streams, at designated times, and under the restrictions listed in the following paragraphs.

General Streams

•   West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set aside as Children’s Streams.

•   Dudley Creek from Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River, except those sections set aside as Children’s Streams.

•   Roaring Fork from the Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River.

•   Leconte Creek from Painter Branch to West Prong Little Pigeon River.
 

Children’s Streams (May only be fished by children 12 and under, unless otherwise posted.)

•   Leconte Creek from Painters Branch upstream to Park Boundary.

•   West Prong Little Pigeon River from North Park Lane Bridge (Herbert Holt Park) downstream to Gatlinburg By-pass Bridge.

•   Dudley Creek from Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River.

Season and Creel Limits

Fishing is permitted year-round, except on Thursday, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. Fishing is permitted with one (1) hand-held rod and a single (1) hook only.

From December 1 through March 31 (all streams):

•   Possession of any trout shall be prohibited.

•   All trout caught must be immediately returned to the water.

•   Use or possession of bait is prohibited. Use or possession of any artificial lures other than a single (1) hook artificial flies, spinners, and spoons is prohibited. The use of one (1) dropper fly having a single (1) hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible.

From April 1 through November 30:

•   General Streams: The creel limit is five (5) trout per day. Bait and artificial lures are permitted.

•   Children’s Streams: The creel limit is two (2) per day.

•   Total possession limit shall not exceed twice the daily creel limit.

•   While fishing or when afield, possession of more than the daily creel limit shall be prohibited, regardless of whether the trout are fresh, stored in an ice chest, in a vehicle, or otherwise preserved

Wild Trout Streams Maps

Tennessee is fortunate to have an abundant wild trout resource.  The Appalachian Mountain range in East Tennessee has approximately 845 miles of stream that support wild populations of Brook, Rainbow, and Brown trout. Most of these streams can be found on public land within the Cherokee National Forest (420 miles of stream) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (245 miles of stream).  The remainder occurs on private property.

Note:  The maps below indicate where anglers can find wild trout populations in east Tennessee.

Tennessee's Wild Trout Streams
Click on the image to open or download a .pdf
Tennessee's Wild Trout Streams
Click on the image to open or download a pdf.

Trout Management & Fisheries Reports

Each year TWRA biologists survey trout populations in tailwaters to evaluate current fishing regulations and stocking rates.  Data collected during sampling helps TWRA biologists make informed decisions and guide future management strategies.

Trout Fisheries Reports

Trout Species


Brook Trout

Brook Trout are Tennessee’s only native trout species, which have been found to be genetically distinct from Brook Trout native to more northern parts of its range. 

At one time, all wild trout water in Tennessee was inhabited by Brook Trout.  However, in the late 1800s, many populations were lost due to primitive logging techniques and the stocking of non-native Rainbow Trout.  Wild populations can now only be found in the coldest and cleanest headwater streams in the mountains of eastern Tennessee at elevations greater than 3,000 feet where water temperatures are typically below 68° F. TWRA biologists, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee Aquarium and Trout Unlimited have recently worked to expand the range of Brook Trout by stocking native strains back into their native waters.

Today, we have about 150 streams that support wild Brook Trout. For additional information on TWRA’s efforts to restore native Southern Appalachian Brook Trout populations across East Tennessee, check out this episode of Tennessee’s Wild Side.   

Additional Information

Identification:  Yellow or reddish-orange spots on sides and belly.  Light wormlike markings on the upper body.  The leading edge of the lower fins is white with a black stripe.

Angler Recognition Programminimum 10 inches

Fishing Tips:  Brook Trout are aggressive feeders eating insects, crayfish, salamanders, and other fish.  Food is typically in short supply in headwater streams so Brook Trout rely heavily on prey that falls into the stream (e.g., ants, caterpillars, inchworms).

Wild Side Brook Trout Restoration



Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific drainages of the western United States, but through extensive trout management during much of the 20th century have become the most widely distributed and abundant trout species in Tennessee.  

Rainbows were originally introduced into Tennessee in the late 1880s when logging practices destroyed native Brook Trout's habitat.

Wild populations are now found in about 300 streams across East Tennessee. Rainbow Trout spawn in late winter and their juvenile hatch out in early spring. They can tolerate temperatures slightly warmer than Brook Trout, preferring water temperatures below 70° F.

Additional Information

Identification:  Body olive to silver in color.  Small black spots throughout the body extend into the bottom of the tail.  Pink streak along the middle of the body.

Angler Recognition Program:  minimum 24 inches

Fishing Tips:  Rainbow Trout eat insects, crayfish, fish, and fish eggs. They are susceptible to a wide variety of tackle.  Fly-fishing with streamers, and wet and dry flies can be effective. Spinning and baitcasting tackle includes small spinners, spoons, worms, and hellgramites.


Brown Trout

Brown Trout are native to Europe and Asia and, like Rainbows, became naturalized in Tennessee through stocking. They are typically found in lower elevation streams, often coexisting with Rainbow Trout. 

They spawn in the fall between October and November, and juveniles emerge in February or March. Common in about 25 wild streams, Brown Trout offers the best opportunity to catch a trophy trout in Tennessee.  Tennessee’s wild Brown Trout can live twice as long and attain much greater sizes than either Rainbow or Brook trout.

Additional Information

Identification:  Brown to yellowish body color.  Large dark spots and reddish dots, many having halos.  Slightly forked tail with no spots.

Angler Recognition Program: minimum 26 inches

Fishing Tips:  Young Brown Trout feed mostly on aquatic insects, small crayfish, and minnows.  Adults will feed on fish, crayfish, rodents, and salamanders.  Large browns tend to feed during low light conditions and after dark.  Typical trout baits and lures work for Brown Trout, but a slightly larger tackle may help catch trophy-sized fish.


Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat Trout are native to the western United States. They were originally stocked in a few of Tennessee’s tailwaters in the 1950s through the early 1960s with little success due to poor water quality prior to the Clean Water Act.  

TWRA has recently partnered with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to begin stocking Cutthroat Trout in Tennessee to provide a unique fishing opportunity in some of Tennessee’s tailwater fisheries.  In 2021, Cutthroat Trout were added to the stocking list in the Tims Ford Tailwater (Elk River), Appalachia Tailwater (Hiwassee River), and Boone Tailwater (Holston River) to diversify the trout fishing experience below these dams.  Evaluations will be ongoing. 

Additional Information

Identification:  Similar in appearance to Rainbow Trout.  Body coloration can vary from olive to silver.  Small black spots throughout the body.  A key identification of Cutthroat Trout is the bright orange or red coloration that appears as “slashes” or “cuts” on the underside of the jaw.

Angler Recognition Program: Currently not recognized

Fishing Tips:  Cutthroat Trout are known to be fairly aggressive and are usually willing to bite a fly, lure, or bait.  Typical trout baits and lures for other species will work well for Cutthroat Trout.  Check out the Tailwater Trout Fishing Forecast for specific information regarding fishing tips in the tailwaters you can find Cutthroat Trout.