Tennessee regulations
Walleye Regulations in Tennessee 2026
Tennessee walleye 2026 open seasons vary by 27 management regions. Statewide rules apply for 5/day and 16″ min. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from TWRA.
Rules (54)
CalderwoodOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 8 fish/day
no length limit. no length limit
Caney Fork RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Possession
- 3 rods and reels or poles
- Gear
- Barbless
Anglers restricted to use of one (1) hook having a single barb or lure containing a single hook with one barb from Jan. 1–April 30 No more than three (3) rods and reels or poles may be used
Caney Fork River (Headwaters Of Center Hill Reservoir)Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Possession
- 3 rods and reels or poles
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers restricted to use of one (1) hook having a single barb or lure containing a single hook with one barb from Jan. 1–April 30. No more than three (3) rods and reels or poles may be used.
Doe Creek (Old Cabin Private Road Downstream To Roan Creek)Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait)
East Fork Of The Obey RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 15
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Anglers restricted to use of one hook having a single barb or lure containing a single hook with one barb from Jan. 1–April 15 Only one Walleye over 20 inches may be harvested
East Fork Of The Obey River (Headwaters Of Dale Hollow Reservoir)Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 15
- Possession
- 3 rods and reels or poles
- Max size
- 20"
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers restricted to use of one hook having a single barb or lure containing a single hook with one barb from Jan. 1–April 15. No more than three (3) rods and reels or poles may be used. Only one Walleye over 20 inches may be harvested.
Elk River (Highway 321 Bridge Downstream ToOut of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait) Jan. 1–April 30: Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait)
Elk River (Highway 321 Bridge Downstream To Row Branch)Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait)
French Broad River (From Hwy 321 Bridge At Newport Upstream To Nc State Line)
- Min size
- 15"
Obey River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Max size
- 20"
Only one (1) Walleye over 20 inches may be harvested.
Pigeon River (From Hwy 321 Bridge At Newport Upstream To Nc State Line)
- Min size
- 15"
Roan Creek (Mountain Lake Estates Bridge Downstream To Doe Creek)Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait)
Watauga River (Nc Line Downstream To The End Of Cowanstown Road)Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Walleye run regulation: restricted to the use of one (1) hook having a single point or one (1) lure having no more than one (1) hook with a single point (artificial or bait)
Walleye on famous Tennessee waters
Dedicated rule pages for Walleye on the most-targeted destinations in Tennessee.
Other Tennessee fish regulations
Other regulated species in Tennessee with current rule pages — same TWRA source, same verification cadence.
- Largemouth Bass130 rules
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)107 rules
- Smallmouth Bass96 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)44 rules
- Channel Catfish39 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)23 rules
- Blue Catfish22 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)14 rules
- Lake Sturgeon3 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Walleye season in Tennessee?
Walleye season in Tennessee runs from Jan 1 to Apr 30 per TWRA.
What is the size limit for Walleye in Tennessee?
Minimum size for Walleye in Tennessee is 15 inches in Douglas, per TWRA. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Walleye in Tennessee?
Daily bag limit for Walleye in Tennessee is 8 fish/day in Calderwood, per TWRA.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25TNAB_LR_2025-08-20-170518_amcm.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25TNAB_LR.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/fishing/exceptions-to-statewide-regulations
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with TWRA before keeping a catch.