The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging anglers to obtain the new Tennessee Fishing Guide as the state’s 2023-2024 fishing regulations have now gone into effect.
This year, TWRA implemented a new regulation regarding trotlines. The new regulation, as stated in the state fishing guide, reads:
Trotlines cannot extend more than three-quarters (0.75) the distance across any stream, river, chute, or embayment. Trotlines, limblines, and jugs must be run at least once per 24-hour period.
Also new this fishing season is the rollout of eight new Bill Dance Signature Lakes, an initiative aimed to “improve and enhance Tennessee Lakes, increase visitation and honor fishing icon Bill Dance’s legacy.” Bill Dance Signature Lakes is a collaborative effort between TWRA, Tennessee State Parks, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to invest $15 million in improvements above and below the water at 18 Tennessee lakes.
State fishing guides are available at locations throughout the state, on the TWRA website, and on the TWRA “On the Go App.”
This season, subscribers to Tennessee Wildlife magazine will receive the guide in a digest format, which can be “easily” stored in a tackle box or pack, TWRA’s Fisheries Chief Mark Thurman noted.
On June 10th, anyone (resident or non-resident) of any age can fish for free in Tennessee’s public waters without a license. In addition, on June 10th, those 15 years old and younger can fish free for the entire week, running through June 16th.
“This day and week are annual events in Tennessee and are great opportunities to introduce children to the joys and excitement of a day on the water catching fish! Not only is fishing a great family activity, it helps make us more aware of our natural environment,” TWRA states in its 2023-24 fishing guide.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Fishing” by Federico Giampieri.
