Waterbody · Tennessee
Cherokee Reservoir Fishing Regulations 2026
Cherokee Reservoir fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 378 current rules from TWRA. Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie.
Rules (378)
TWRA regulates 378 rules across 15 species at this water.
Largemouth Bass
Cherokee Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Acorn LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
no minimum length limit
Barkley
- Min size
- 15"
Boone
- Min size
- 15"
Boone Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wma Ponds
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 16"
only one (1) fish 16 inches or longer may be harvested
Browns Creek Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 25"
only one fish longer than 25 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 25 inches may be harvested PLR
C. M. Gooch Unit E Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Campbell Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Carroll LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Casper Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
Center Hill
- Min size
- 15"
Cheatham
- Min size
- 14"
Cherokee
- Min size
- 15"
Chickamauga Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Cordell Hull
- Min size
- 15"
Coy Gaither-Bedford Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested PLR
Dale Hollow
- Min size
- 15"
Davy Crockett LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 18"
No limit — no creel only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested per day.
Davy Crockett Lake (Crockett Co.)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Dogwood Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
Fall Creek Falls Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 16"
Only one (1) fish longer than 16 inches may be harvested Only one (1) fish longer than 16 inches may be harvested.
Garrett LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Gibson County Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 24"
only one fish longer than 24 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 24 inches may be harvested PLR
Glenn Springs LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Great Falls
- Min size
- 15"
Guntersville Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Herb Parsons Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 20"
only one fish longer than 20 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 20 inches may be harvested PLR
Indian Boundary Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 16"
only one (1) fish 16 inches or longer may be harvested
Kentucky Lake
- Min size
- 15"
Lake GrahamOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Lake Halford
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Max size
- 18"
only two fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only two (2) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Lake Kefauver
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 16"
only one (1) fish 16 inches or longer may be harvested
Land Between The Lakes
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Laurel Hill Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 18"
only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested PLR
Maples Creek LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Marrowbone LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
no length limit.
Melton Hill
- Min size
- 14"
Melton Hill Reservoir
- Min size
- 14"
New Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Nickajack Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Normandy
- Min size
- 15"
Norris
- Min size
- 14"
Old Hickory
- Min size
- 14"
Parksville
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Parksville Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Percy Priest
- Min size
- 15"
Pickwick
- Min size
- 15"
Pin Oak Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 25"
only one (1) fish longer than 25 inches may be harvested
Pine Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Poplar Tree Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 18"
only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Redbud Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
Reelfoot
- Min size
- 15"
Reelfoot Watershed Lake #18
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
South Holston
- Min size
- 14"
South Holston Reservoir
- Min size
- 14"
Tellico
- Min size
- 12"
Tims Ford
- Min size
- 15"
Travis Mcnatt LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Min size
- 16"
No creel limit, only one (1) fish longer than 16 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 16 inches may be harvested
Vfw LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
no length limit.
Watauga
- Min size
- 12"
Watauga Reservoir
- Min size
- 12"
Whiteville LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
no creel limit only one fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested only one (1) fish longer than 18 inches may be harvested
Williamsport Lakes
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Williamsport Lakes (4 Lakes)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Woodhaven Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 25"
only one (1) fish longer than 25 inches may be harvested
Smallmouth Bass
Cherokee Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct. 16–May 31
Barkley
- Min size
- 15"
Boone
- Min size
- 15"
Boone Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Center Hill
- Min size
- 18"
Cheatham
- Min size
- 18"
Cherokee
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct. 16–May 31
Clinch River
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
13–17 inch PLR, only one (1) greater than 17 inches
Clinch River: Hwy. 25e Upstream To State Line
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) greater than 17 inches
Cordell Hull
- Min size
- 18"
Dale Hollow
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 21"
One (1) fish may be under 16 inches and one (1) may be over 21 inches. Includes Wolf River upstream to South Ford Road bridge. Includes Wolf River upstream to South Ford Road bridge.
Davy Crockett Lake
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one over 17 inches
French Broad River
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
13–17 inch PLR, only one (1) greater than 17 inches
French Broad River (From Hwy 321 Bridge At Newport Upstream To Nc State Line)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) greater than 17 inches
French Broad River (Hwy. 168 To Douglas Dam)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Ft. Patrick Henry
- Min size
- 15"
Great Falls
- Min size
- 18"
Holston River
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
13–17 inch PLR for Smallmouth Bass, only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
Holston River (I-40 Bridge Upstream To Cherokee Dam And John Sevier Dam Upstream To North Fork Holston River)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
John Sevier
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) Smallmouth bass over 17 inches per day PLR
John Sevier Reservoir
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
13–17 inch PLR, only one (1) Smallmouth bass over 17 inches per day.
Little Pigeon River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Little Pigeon River (From Mouth Upstream To The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Boundary, Including The West Prong And East Fork Of The Little Pigeon River)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Little River
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
13–17 inch PLR for Smallmouth Bass, only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
Little River (Rockford Dam Upstream To Great Smoky Mountains National Park Boundary)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
Melton Hill
- Min size
- 18"
Melton Hill Reservoir
- Min size
- 18"
Nolichucky River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
over 17 inches
Nolichucky River (Enka Dam Upstream To State Line, Includes Davy Crockett Lake)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
Normandy
- Min size
- 18"
Norris
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct. 16–May 31
Norris Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
North Fork Holston River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
over 17 inches
North Fork Holston River (Confluence With South Fork Holston River Upstream To State Line)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
Old Hickory
- Min size
- 18"
Percy Priest
- Min size
- 18"
Pickwick
- Min size
- 15"
Pigeon River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Pigeon River (From Hwy 321 Bridge At Newport Upstream To Nc State Line)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Powell River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
over 17 inches
Powell River (Gap Creek Confluence Upstream To State Line)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
South Fork Holston River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
over 17 inches
South Fork Holston River (Confluence With North Fork Holston River Upstream To Fort Patrick Henry Dam)
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
only one (1) Smallmouth Bass over 17 inches per day
South Holston
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct. 16–May 31
South Holston (Tn + Va Rules)
- Min size
- 15"
South Holston Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct. 16–May 31
Tellico River
- Min size
- 15"
Tims Ford
- Min size
- 18"
Watauga
- Min size
- 15"
Watauga Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
Wolf River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 21"
over 21 inches
Wolf River (South Ford Road Bridge Downstream To Dale Hollow Reservoir)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 21"
one under 16 inches and one over 21 inches
Woods
- Min size
- 18"
Walleye
CalderwoodOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 8 fish/day
no length limit. no length limit
Calderwood Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 8 fish/day
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)
Douglas
- Min size
- 15"
Douglas Reservoir
- Min size
- 15"
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
- Min size
- 15"
French Broad River (From Hwy 321 Bridge At Newport Upstream To Nc State Line)
- Min size
- 15"
Ft. Patrick Henry
- Min size
- 18"
Norris
- Min size
- 18"
Norris Reservoir
- Min size
- 18"
Obey River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Max size
- 20"
Only one (1) Walleye over 20 inches may be harvested.
Pigeon River
- Min size
- 15"
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)
South Holston
- Min size
- 18"
Includes tributaries.
South Holston (Tn + Va Rules)
- Min size
- 18"
Includes tributaries.
South Holston Reservoir
- Min size
- 18"
Includes tributaries.
Tellico
- Min size
- 18"
Watauga
- Min size
- 18"
Includes tributaries.
Watauga Reservoir
- Min size
- 18"
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)
Tennessee statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
Crappie
Davy Crockett LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
no length limit
Forked Deer River (Includes Tributaries)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
no length limit
French Broad River
- Daily bag
- 50 fish/day
French Broad River (From Hwy 321 Bridge At Newport Upstream To Nc State Line)
- Daily bag
- 50 fish/day
Hatchie River (Includes Tributaries)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
no length limit
Indian Boundary LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No creel or length limit
Loosahatchie River (Includes Tributaries)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
no length limit
Mississippi River
- Daily bag
- 50 fish/day
creel limit 50, no length limit
Mississippi River (Includes Adjacent Sloughs, Bayous, And All River Runs And Chutes, That Are Accessible By Boat From The River Proper)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 50 fish/day
no length limit
Mississippi River And Its Backwaters Within The Boundaries Of The Other State And Any Oxbow Lakes Through Which The Missouri-Tennessee Boundary Passes (Missouri Reciprocal Agreement)
- Daily bag
- 50
Obion River (Includes Tributaries)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
no length limit
Poplar Tree Lake
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
Region 1 - West Tennessee
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
unless otherwise noted for specific waters
Wolf River (Includes Tributaries)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
no length limit
Tennessee statewide
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
- Min size
- 10"
all species combined
Channel Catfish
Browns Creek Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Carroll Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Coy Gaither-Bedford Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Blue Catfish
Davy Crockett Lake (Crockett Co.)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Garrett Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Gibson County Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Glenn Springs Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Herb Parsons Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
in combination with Blue Catfish
Lake Graham
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Lake Halford
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
in combination with Blue Catfish
Laurel Hill Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Blue Catfish
Maples Creek Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Marrowbone Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Vfw Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Blue Catfish
Whiteville Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Blue Catfish
Williamsport Lakes (4 Lakes)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Blue Catfish
Blue Catfish
Browns Creek Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Carroll Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Coy Gaither-Bedford Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Channel Catfish
Davy Crockett Lake (Crockett Co.)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Garrett Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Gibson County Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Glenn Springs Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Herb Parsons Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
in combination with Channel Catfish
Lake Graham
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Lake Halford
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
in combination with Channel Catfish
Laurel Hill Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Channel Catfish
Maples Creek Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Marrowbone Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Vfw Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Channel Catfish
Whiteville Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
in combination with Channel Catfish
Williamsport Lakes (4 Lakes)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
in combination with Channel Catfish
Catfish
Allen Branch Pond
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Beech River Watershed Lakes
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wma Ponds
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Campbell Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
Davy Crockett Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Dickson City Lakes
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Green Cove Pond
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Indian Boundary Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Lake Kefauver
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Liberty Park Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Mississippi River (Includes Adjacent Sloughs, Bayous, And All River Runs And Chutes, That Are Accessible By Boat From The River Proper)
- Max size
- 34"
only one (1) fish over 34 inches in length may be harvested per day.
New Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Tellico-Citico Permit Areas
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
Tennessee statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
no limit on catfish, except only one (1) fish may exceed 34 inches Only one (1) catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day.
Paddlefish
Cherokee ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Apr 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Culling is prohibited.
All Species
Cherokee ReservoirClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 1
- Season closes
- Sep 15
Closed fishing zone in effect. This zone is enclosed by lines from the boat ramp at the south end of the dam across the lake to Point 2, from Point 2 to Point 3, and from Point 3 back across the lake to the TWRA boat ramp at the north end of the dam. All bank fishing will be open and the coves along the southeast shoreline will be open to boat fishing, but no fishing for any species will be allowed by boat in the described zone from July 1 through Sept. 15.
Walleye/Sauger/Saugeye
Cherokee Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Crappie (All Species)
Cherokee Reservoir
- Min size
- 10"
Bluegill/Warmouth And Other Sunfishes
Cherokee ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No creel or length limit.
Plus 3 more species. See the Tennessee pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Cherokee Reservoir?
TWRA regulates fishing on Cherokee Reservoir.
What species can I target on Cherokee Reservoir?
Cherokee Reservoir is best known for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against TWRA on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .