2004 Creel and Size Limits -
The following are the creel and size limits that apply across Tennessee.  Statewide regulations apply unless exceptions apply to that body of water.

Statewide Catfish Regulation - Only one catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day.  No harvest limit on catfish less than 34 inches.

Paddlefish may not be harvested from April 24 through May 31.  The daily creel limit is 2 fish per day with no size limit.  Culling, the releasing of harvested fish, is not allowed.  Cherokee Reservoir has different seasons and regulations.  (See Exceptions to Statewide Fishing Regulations)

Possession Limits
The total possession limit is twice the daily creel limit. You may not have more than the daily creel limit with you while afield. It is unlawful to have, while afield, any fish which has been altered so that its species and/or total body length cannot be determined.

How To Measure a Fish's Length
Lay the fish on a flat ruler, close the mouth, and squeeze the lobes of the caudal (tail) fin to produce the maximum length.

Length Limits and PLRs (Slot Limits)
The goal of TWRA's Fisheries Management Division is to manage each species of fish with statewide creel and length limits where possible. However, certain waters, because of their unique characteristics, require individual creel and length limits (see Exceptions to Statewide Fishing Regulations). These limits allow a greater variety of anglers to enjoy our fisheries resource.

Minimum length limits restrict the harvest of fish below a specified minimum length. For example, a 15-inch minimum length limit allows the angler to keep fish 15 inches or greater. Fish less than 15 inches cannot be harvested. In waters where length restrictions are in place, anglers may not be able to harvest quite as many fish, but they will enjoy catching more fish--as many as two to three times more.

Slots limits or Protected Length Ranges (PLRs) allow anglers to harvest fish above and below a specified length range. For example, a 14-to18-inch PLR protects fish in the 14-to-18-inch length group.  Anglers may harvest fish that measure 14 inches or less and they may harvest fish that measure 18 inches or more.  For a protected length range to be effective, anglers must harvest fish below the protected range.

Statewide Trout Regulations

Special Trout Regulations

South Holston Reservoir : Closed to trout fishing from December 1 to the last day of February.

Dale Hollow Reservoir  

Apr. 1 - Oct. 31:  7 per day
(no more than 2 may be Lake Trout)
No size limit.

Nov. 1 - Mar. 31: 2 per day (in any combination)
Minimum size limit: 22 inches.

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

• 18" minimum length limit on brown trout.
• Only 2 trout in daily creel limit may be brown trout.

Clear Creek : (tributary to the Clinch River - Anderson County)

• Closed to fishing and minnow seining from Hwy. 441 upstream to the second dam (adjacent to the city of Norris water tower), as posted from December 1 - March 31.

Hiwassee River (Appalachia Powerhouse to Patty Bridge)

• 14" minimum length limit on brown trout.
• only 2 trout in daily creel limit may be brown trout.
• Also, see Quality Trout Fishing Areas on this page. 

Horse Creek (Greene County) : That portion from the U. S. Forest Service Boundary Line upstream to the junction of Squibb Creek.

Daily limit: 7 per day, except from May 1 - Sept. 30 the daily limit is 2.

South Holston River : That portion from South Holston Dam to the Hwy. 37 Bridge at Bluff City.

• No trout between 16 and 22 inches may be harvested (16-22 PLR).
• Creel limit of 7 trout in any combination of species, only one trout may be over 22 inches.
• Closed to all fishing November 1 - January 31 in the following areas:
  1) Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the confluence with Bottom Creek.
  2) 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.

Polk County Streams - Big Creek, Goforth Creek, Sheeds Creek, Spring Creek, Sylco Creek, and their tributaries in Polk County.

• Closed to fishing on Fridays from March 1 - July 1 except for state and federal holidays.
• Only one single hook lure or baited single hook is permitted.
• The use or possession of lures or baits with multiple hooks is prohibited.
• Fishing permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
• Fishing equipment or tackle prohibited on the stream banks except during legal fishing hours.

Quality Trout Fishing Regulations

Daily limit: 2 trout
Possession limit: 2 trout
Size limit: 14" minimum length

• Use or possession of any bait is prohibited.
• Trout less than 14" in length may not be possessed within Quality Trout Fishing Areas.

 Quality Trout Fishing Areas

Hiwassee River : That portion of Hiwassee River from the L & N Railroad Bridge upstream to the U.S. Forest Service's "Big Bend Parking Area."

Watauga River : That portion of the Watauga River from Smalling Bridge downstream to the CSX railroad bridges. 

Delayed Harvest Areas

In the areas listed below, the harvest or possession of trout will be 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.

Paint Creek - Paint Creek Campground downstream to to the mouth at the French Broad River.  Catch-and-release season is October 1 through the last day of February.

Tellico River - Mouth of Turkey Creek downstream to the Oosterneck Creek Recreation Area. Catch-and-release season is October 1 through March 14.

Gatlinburg Trout Fishing

TWRA and the City of Gatlinburg offer a variety of trout fishing opportunities in four streams.  All streams are closed on Thursday each week.  Some areas are managed especially for children 12 and under.  All areas have special regulations and permit requirements.  For more information contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, 520 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.  Phone 865-436-4558;  1-800-568-4748.

GATLINBURG REGULATIONS

WATERS OPEN:  The taking of trout is permitted within the streams designated below and under the limits and during the times listed below.

A. General Streams:

• West Prong Little Pigeon River from the Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set aside as Children's Streams.
• Dudley Creek from the Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River, except those set aside as Children's Streams.
• Roaring Fork from the Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River.
• Leconte Creek from Painters Branch to West Prong Little Pigeon River.

• Leconte Creek from Painters Creek upstream to Park Boundary.
• West Prong Little Pigeon River from 100 yards above entrance of Herbert Holt Park downstream to Gatlinburg By-pass Bridge.
• Dudley Creek from Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River.

GATLINBURG SEASON AND CREEL LIMITS

Fishing permitted year-round, except Thursday, from 1/2 hour before official sunrise to 1/2 hour after official sunset.  Fishing is permitted with one hand-held rod and single hook only.

1) From December 1 through March 31:

• 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 single hook artificial flies, spinners, and spoons is prohibited. The use of one dropper fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible.

• General Streams - The creel limit is five (5) trout per day.
• Children's Streams - The creel limit is two (2) trout per day for children twelve (12) and under.
• 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.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Most of the streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provide trout fishing opportunities.  For detailed fishing information and regulations, contact Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.  (865) 436-1200.

FORT CAMPBELL MILITARY RESERVATION

Several streams on Fort Campbell Military Reservation, including Noah's Spring Branch, 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 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 (502) 798-2175.