Tennessee’s 2019-20 fishing regulations went into effect March 1 and anglers are encouraged to obtain the new Tennessee Fishing Guide now available at locations throughout the state, on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website (www.tnwildlife.org) and on the TWRA “On the App.”
Hard copies of the guide are available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at the TWRA’s four regional offices located in Jackson (Region I), Nashville (Region II), Crossville (Region III), and Morristown (Region IV).
This year’s statewide and specific region regulation changes to are featured on page 4 of the guide.
Several of the new fishing regulations established by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission last fall are geared toward the agency’s effort to battle the invasive Asian carp.
In TWRA Region I and II, skipjack herring, gizzard shad, and threadfin shad will not be able to be transported alive from the Mississippi River and Barkley, Kentucky, and Pickwick reservoirs and any tributaries or oxbows of these waters. The restrictions do not apply to the Duck River above Normandy Dam.
These bait species are similar in appearance to small Asian carp. This change is aimed to reduce the risk of accidentally introducing Asian carp into new waterways.
Change to seasons on the Tellico River, Citico Creek, and Green Cove Pond will allow optimal stocking and fishing conditions during the permit season. Big Lost Creek, Goforth Creek, Spring Creek, and Greasy Creek and their tributaries in Polk County to have been changed to follow statewide regulations. This adds fishing opportunity to these creeks which are currently closed on Friday.
The 2018-19 Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses expired Feb. 28. The 2019-20 licenses are available at licenses agents, regional offices, and available anytime at www.GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, on the TWRA “On the Go App.”