Waterbody · Tennessee
Watauga Lake Fishing Regulations 2026
Watauga Lake fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are trout, smallmouth bass, walleye. 258 current rules across 8 species from TWRA.
Rules (258)
TWRA regulates 258 rules across 8 species at this water.
Smallmouth Bass
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
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.
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"
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 (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
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
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
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 Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct. 16–May 31
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
Trout
Acorn LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
April 1–Nov. 30
All StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
From Dec. 1 through March 31: All trout caught must be immediately returned to the water. From Dec. 1 through March 31: Use or possession of any artificial lures other than single hook artificial flies, spinners, and spoons is prohibited. The use of one dropper fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible.
Bald River
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Beaverdam Creek
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Chilhowee Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 7 fish/day
only two (2) may be lake trout.
Dudley Creek From Highway 441 Bridge To West Prong Little Pigeon River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
From April 1 through Nov. 30: Children’s Streams
Green Cove Pond
- Daily bag
- 7 trout
Daily creel limit of seven (7) trout, with no length limit.
Laurel Fork
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Leconte Creek From Painters Branch Upstream To Park Boundary
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
From April 1 through Nov. 30: Children’s Streams
Left Prong
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Little Stony Creek
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Montgomery Bell State Park: Acorn LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Catch-and-release season from Dec. 1– March 31
North River
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Paint Creek
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Rocky Fork
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Rough Ridge Creek
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
South Holston (Tn + Va Rules)
- Daily bag
- 7 fish/day
only two (2) may be Lake Trout.
Sycamore Creek
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Use or possession of bait or multi-ple hook lures is prohibited.
Tellico
- Daily bag
- 7 fish/day
- Possession
- 2 fish/day
only two (2) may be Lake Trout.
Tellico River
- Daily bag
- 7 trout
Daily creel limit of seven (7) trout, with no length limit.
Watauga Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 7 fish/day
only two (2) may be Lake Trout.
West Prong Little Pigeon River From North Park Lane Bridge (Herbert Holt Park) Downstream To Gatlinburg Bypass Bridge
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
From April 1 through Nov. 30: Children’s Streams
Tennessee statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 5 trout/day
From April 1 through Nov. 30: Bait and artificial lures permitted. From April 1 through Nov. 30
Walleye
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)
Brown Trout
Caney Fork River: Center Hill Dam To Cumberland River, Including Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 24"
Clear Creek: Tributary To Clinch River (Anderson County)
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
in combination
Elk River: Tims Ford Dam To I-65 Bridge, Including Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir: Boone Dam Downstream To Louis Milhorn Bridge On Beulah Church Drive
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 22"
Hiwassee River
- Daily bag
- 2 trout
March 1 through Sept. 30: only two (2) may be Brown Trout.
Hiwassee River: Appalachian Powerhouse Downstream To L&N Railroad Bridge
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
March 1 through Sept. 30
Rainbow Trout
Caney Fork River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 20"
only one longer than 20 inches may be harvested. PLR
Caney Fork River: Center Hill Dam To Cumberland River, Including Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 20"
longer than 20 inches may be harvested
Clear Creek: Tributary To Clinch River (Anderson County)
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
in combination
Doe River (Carter Co.)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Trout harvested in these waters shall only be used as bait in the water from which the trout were harvested
Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir: Boone Dam Downstream To Louis Milhorn Bridge On Beulah Church Drive
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 22"
North River (Monroe Co.)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Trout harvested in these waters shall only be used as bait in the water from which the trout were harvested
South Fork Holston River From South Holston Dam To Boone DamOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Trout harvested in these waters shall only be used as bait in the water from which the trout were harvested
Watauga River From Watauga Dam To Boone DamOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Trout harvested in these waters shall only be used as bait in the water from which the trout were harvested
Brook Trout
Caney Fork River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 20"
only one longer than 20 inches may be harvested. PLR
Caney Fork River: Center Hill Dam To Cumberland River, Including Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 20"
longer than 20 inches may be harvested
Clear Creek: Tributary To Clinch River (Anderson County)
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
in combination
Cutthroat Trout
Caney Fork River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 20"
only one longer than 20 inches may be harvested. PLR
Caney Fork River: Center Hill Dam To Cumberland River, Including Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 20"
longer than 20 inches may be harvested
All Species
Watauga LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Bill Dance Signature Lake access points
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Watauga Lake?
TWRA regulates fishing on Watauga Lake.
What species can I target on Watauga Lake?
Watauga Lake is best known for trout, smallmouth bass, walleye. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize TWRA's published content. 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.