Top fish species at Tennessee River

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Check which species have trophy potential in Tennessee River

Tennessee River fishing reports

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Flathead catfish

19 in · 3 lb

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Redear sunfish

11 in · 1 lb 3 oz

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Greengill hybrid

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Freshwater drum

length · weight

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Channel catfish

length · weight

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General info

Tennessee River is a stream located in Marion County, Tennessee, United States. It is also intersecting with Jackson County, Alabama and Hamilton County, Tennessee. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Blue catfish, and Smallmouth bass.

Location

35°00′42.1″N 85°38′1.3″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Tennessee River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Tennessee River. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Tennessee River, TN

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Tennessee can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryTennessee State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Bow Fishing

Harvest of this species by bow fishing is prohibited.

TN Hook Restriction

Anglers in Tennessee are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole, or hand-held line. Single, double, or treble hooks each count as one hook. The statewide hook restriction does not apply when using a sabiki rig or piscatore rig to take shad or herring.

Required licenses
Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.
Additional information
No size limit. No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination of species may be taken. This aggregate limit includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Coosa Bass.Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Blue catfish

Blue catfish

Regulation boundaryTennessee State Waters
Memorable / trophy limits1 > 34

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Restrictions & requirements

TN Hook Restriction

Anglers in Tennessee are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole, or hand-held line. Single, double, or treble hooks each count as one hook. The statewide hook restriction does not apply when using a sabiki rig or piscatore rig to take shad or herring.

Required licenses
Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.
Additional information
Only one catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day. This aggregate trophy limit includes Channel, Blue and Flathead Catfish. No harvest limit on catfish less than 34 inches.Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Ictalurus furcatus
Season open: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryTennessee State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Bow Fishing

Harvest of this species by bow fishing is prohibited.

TN Hook Restriction

Anglers in Tennessee are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole, or hand-held line. Single, double, or treble hooks each count as one hook. The statewide hook restriction does not apply when using a sabiki rig or piscatore rig to take shad or herring.

Required licenses
Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.
Additional information
No size limit. No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination of species may be taken. This aggregate limit includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Coosa Bass.Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
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Local laws and licenses

Tennessee fishing license

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Reviews of Tennessee River

4.5
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46 ratings

5
4
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Kimball

3.3 miles away

South Pittsburg

4.8 miles away

Bridgeport

6.7 miles away

Sequatchie

7.2 miles away

Whiteside

8.4 miles away

New England

10.9 miles away

Wildwood

13.1 miles away

Whitwell

14.0 miles away

Powells Crossroads

14.6 miles away

Lookout Mountain

15.7 miles away

Lookout Mountain

16.0 miles away

Sherwood

17.1 miles away

Griffith Creek

19.1 miles away

Monteagle

19.8 miles away

Lone Oak

19.9 miles away

Red Bank

20.3 miles away

Sewanee

20.7 miles away

Ider

21.4 miles away

Lakeview

21.6 miles away

Chickamauga

21.7 miles away

Chattanooga

22.1 miles away

East Ridge

23.0 miles away

Gruetli-Laager

24.9 miles away

Pelham

26.0 miles away

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FAQ about Tennessee River fishing

📍 Where is the Tennessee River located?
the Tennessee River is a stream located in Marion County, Tennessee, United States. It is also intersecting with Jackson County, Alabama and Hamilton County, Tennessee. Its coordinates are:
35°00′42.1″N 85°38′1.3″W
.
🎣 Where on the Tennessee River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Tennessee River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Tennessee River?
The most common species in the Tennessee River are:
📢 What are the latest Tennessee River fishing reports?
The latest Tennessee River fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Tennessee River?

Fishing in Tennessee requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, available online or at authorized retailers.

In Tennessee, no fishing license is required for anglers under 13 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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