Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Article

TWRC Sets Sport Fishing Regulations For 2008

On October 25, 2007 the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission approved the following changes to the sport fishing proclamation. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2008.

Statewide Reservoirs

All Reservoirs, except Kentucky, Dale Hollow, and Douglas reservoirs- 18-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass. Existing creel limits will not change. On Boone, South Holston, and Watauga reservoirs the new minimum length limit on smallmouth bass will be 16 inches, increasing to 18 inches in 2009.

Region 1

Beech River Watershed Lakes - no minimum length limit on crappie.

Glenn Springs Lake - Crappie- 8-inch minimum length limit; Bass- 14-18 inch protected length range with a creel limit of 10 bass, allowing only one bass in creel to be greater than 18 inches.

Gibson County Lake - Bass- 14-20 inch protected length range with a creel limit of 10 bass, allowing only one bass in creel to be greater than 20 inches.

Mississippi River Reciprocal Zone with Arkansas - common regulations for several species:

• Black bass- creel limit 10, no length limit
• Bream- creel limit 50, no length limit
• Catfish- no creel limit, only one per day over 34 inches
• Crappie- creel limit 50, no length limit
• Striped bass and hybrids- creel limit 6, no length limit
• Sauger- creel limit 6, no length limit
• Trotlines- 100 hook maximum

Region 2

Normandy Reservoir- Walleye- 16-inch minimum length limit with a creel limit of 5 fish.

Laurel Hill Lake- Black bass- 13-18 inch protected length range.

Region 3

Upper Nickajack Lake from Chickamauga Dam downstream to mouth of South Chickamauga Creek - Spotted bass- increase daily creel limit to 15 fish.

Watts Bar Reservoir - Striped Bass- November through March- 36-inch minimum length limit with a 1 fish creel limit; April through October- 15-inch minimum length limit with a creel limit of 2 fish.

Big Lost Creek will be managed like other stocked trout stream in Polk County: closed Fridays from March 1 to July 1 and only single hooks lures or bait allowed.

Region 4

Norris Reservoir- Spotted bass- no creel or size limit.

Chilhowee Reservoir- Largemouth bass- 14-inch minimum length limit with a creel limit of 5 black bass

Douglas Reservoir- Sauger daily creel limit of 5, only one of which can be over 16 inches; no minimum length limit. The daily creel limit is a combination sauger/walleye limit (5 total). The minimum limit on walleye will remain 15 inches.

Cherokee Reservoir- Walleye- 18-inch minimum length limit with a creel limit of 5 fish; Sauger- 15-inch minimum length limit with creel limit of 10 fish.

Boone Reservoir - Striped Bass- November through March- 36-inch minimum length limit with a 1 fish creel limit; April through October- 15-inch minimum length limit with a creel limit of 2 fish.

River smallmouth bass regulations: 13-17 inch protected length range for smallmouth bass, with a creel limit of 5 black bass, allowing only one smallmouth bass in creel to be greater than 17 inches. This regulation would apply to the following locations:

• Nolichucky River- ENKA dam upstream to state line, includes Davy Cockett Reservoir
• French Broad River- HWY 168 to state line, excluding Douglas Reservoir.
• Holston River- I-40 Bridge upstream to North Fork Holston River confluence including John Sevier Reservoir, excluding Cherokee Reservoir.
• Clinch River- Hwy. 25E upstream to state line.
• Powell River- Gap Creek confluence upstream to state line.
• North Fork Holston River- Confluence with South Fork Holston River upstream to state line.

Clinch River from Norris Dam downstream to Hwy. 61 Bridge- 14-20 inch protected length range on trout, with a 7 trout creel limit allowing only one fish in creel limit to be greater than 20 inches. There are no gear, tackle, or bait restrictions associated with this change.

TWRA

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