Fishing Regulations in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Tennessee fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Tennessee requires a fishing license for anglers 13 and older. Resident annual licenses are affordable, and non-resident options include annual, 10-day, and 3-day licenses. A trout stamp is required for fishing in designated trout waters.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | No statewide minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | Special regulations apply on many reservoirs. Check current TWRA regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | No statewide minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | |
| crappie | 30 per day | 10 inches minimum on some waters | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | No limit | No minimum | Year-round | |
| blue-catfish | No limit | No minimum | Year-round | |
| walleye | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| striped-bass | 2 per day | 15 inches minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | |
| musky | 1 per day | 36 inches minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No statewide minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Special regulations apply on many reservoirs. Check current TWRA regulations.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: No statewide minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 30 per day
Size Limit: 10 inches minimum on some waters
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: No limit
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: No limit
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Kentucky Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Dale Hollow Lake
reservoirSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, musky, crappie, rainbow-trout
Old Hickory Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, striped-bass, blue-catfish, white-bass
Center Hill Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill
Norris Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, walleye, striped-bass, crappie
Cherokee Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill, channel-catfish
Reelfoot Lake
lakeSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, gar
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 14 lbs 8 oz | 1954 | Sugar Creek |
| smallmouth-bass | 11 lbs 15 oz | 1955 | Dale Hollow Lake |
| blue-catfish | 112 lbs | 1998 | Cumberland River |
| channel-catfish | 41 lbs | 1970 | Priest Reservoir |
| flathead-catfish | 85 lbs 15 oz | 1993 | Harpeth River |
| striped-bass | 65 lbs 6 oz | 2000 | Cordell Hull Lake |
| walleye | 25 lbs | 1960 | Old Hickory Lake |
| musky | 42 lbs 8 oz | 1983 | Dale Hollow Lake |
| crappie | 4 lbs 4 oz | 1985 | Brown Creek Lake |