GreenevilleSun.com
THE GREENEVILLE SUN GREENE COUNTY GUIDEBOOK
2021-2022 •
PAGE 135
Lakes, Rivers, Streams Offer Options For Anglers
There are many places to fish in this region, from Tennessee Valley Authority lakes to area rivers and streams. Among the most notable nearby lakes are Douglas Lake in Cocke and Jefferson counties, Cherokee Lake in Hamblen and Jefferson counties and Watauga Lake in Carter County. The Nolichucky River flows through the southern part of Greene County from Washington County to Cocke County, while the French Broad and Pigeon Rivers are close by in Cocke County. The annually stocked trout streams in Greene County are too numerous to mention, but among the best known are Paint Creek, Camp Creek and Horse Creek. However, if you take fish or attempt to take fish by any method, or if you assist someone else in doing so, you must have a valid fishing license. There are some exceptions. Among them, no fishing license is required if you are 12 years old or younger, fishing on your own private water, or if it is a free-fishing day or free-fishing week. More details about licenses, exceptions and other laws and regulations are listed in the handbook provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Anglers are encouraged to get the guide, available at locations throughout the state, on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website and via the TWRA “On the Go App.” Fishing licenses go on sale Feb. 18 and do not expire until the last day of February the following year. Most licenses, except Lifetime Sportsman License and specialty licenses, such as Wheelchair, Disabled Veteran, Supplemental Security Income, and Blind Fishing licenses, may be purchased from court clerks, sporting good stores, hardware stores, boat docks, online, and at all TWRA regional offices or www.tnwildlife. org. The phone number for TWRA is 1-800-332-0900, or 423-587-7037 for the Morristown office. Licenses also may be obtained by mail.
• Walleye. Creel limit is five, minimum length is 16 inches. • Trout (all trout species combined). Creel limit is seven. There is no minimum length. Only two trout can be lake trout. • Redear sunfish/shellcracker. Creel limit is 20. There is no minimum length. • Yellow Bass, Bluegill, Bream, Bullheads, Pickerel, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and other non-game species. No creel limit or minimum length. • Skipjack Herring. Creel limit is 100. There is no minimum length. • Catfish. Only one catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day. No harvest limit on catfish less than 34 inches. • Paddlefish. Paddlefish may be harvested from April 24 through May 31. Daily creel limit is two with no size limit. Culling is prohibited. Exceptions are listed in the TWRA guide. • Sturgeon (shovelnose, pallid, lake and hybrids). No harvesting allowed. Must be returned to water immediately. TWRA requests that all catches be reported. OTHER REGULATIONS (TWRA lakes) Only rods and reels, poles, hand-held SUN PHOTO BY BRIAN CUTSHALL/THE GREENEVILLE SUN lines and jigs may be used; trotlines, cast Jacob Buckner takes some time to fish at the Hardin Park pond. nets and limblines are illegal on all agency lakes. • Black Bass (including largemouth, FISHING LAWS Send your name, address, Social Security Stocking of any fish into public waters smallmouth, spotted and coosa). Creel number, date of birth, physical features limit is five (no more than five black bass is strictly prohibited. (height, weight, eye and hair color) and per day in any combination may be taken). Explosives, chemicals and electrical enclose the correct fee to: TWRA, Sales No minimum length. shocking devices are strictly forbidden, Office, P.O. Box 41729, Nashville, TN • Crappie (all species combined). Creel and their use carries heavy penalties. 37204-1729. ABOUT LIMITS limit is 15, minimum length limit is 10 Shooting in the water with any type of The following are the creel and size inches. firearm to injure or take fish or turtles is limits that apply statewide. • Rock Bass/Redeye. Creel limit is 20. prohibited. Several waters have exceptions to these No minimum length. All boaters and passengers must wear limits. Anglers should refer to the Tennesa Coast Guard-approved life jacket within • Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass see Fishing Guide for specific exceptions (any combination). Creel limit is two, min- the area designated and appropriately to the statewide regulations. imum length is 15 inches. marked as a hazardous area below any If you are fishing in a location that does • White Bass. Creel limit is 15. No dam or lock. not have exceptions listed in the guide, minimum length. It is illegal to take any fish or turtle that then the statewide limits apply. • Muskellunge. Creel limit is one, mini- is listed as endangered, threatened or in CREEL AND SIZE LIMITS mum length is 36 inches. need of management. The following are the creel and size • Sauger or sauger/walleye hybrids. It is illegal to sell or offer to sell fish limits that apply across Tennessee, in Creel limit is 10, minimum length limit is or turtles without a commercial fishing general: 15 inches. license.
