2025 Season
Fishing Regulations
Fishing
Clinch River Brown Trout Changed to Delayed-Harvest Special Regulations
Effective October 1, 2025
The Clinch River from Norris Dam to the Highway 61 bridge is now under special delayed-harvest regulations from October 1 through May 31, requiring artificial lures only and immediate release of all fish during that period. Harvest is permitted from June 1 through September 30, giving anglers a summer harvest window while protecting fish through the critical fall and spring periods. TWRA made this change in response to growing angler interest in the Clinch River brown trout fishery.
Key Changes:
• Clinch River (Norris Dam to Hwy 61): delayed-harvest special regs Oct 1 – May 31
• Oct 1 – May 31: artificial lures only, all fish must be released immediately
• Jun 1 – Sep 30: standard stocking-area regulations apply (harvest permitted)
• Delayed-harvest designation improves winter and spring brown trout fishing quality
• Applies to the entire Clinch River section from Norris Dam downstream to Highway 61
• Bait fishing prohibited during the delayed-harvest period
Source: Official Tennessee Agency ↗
Hunting Regulations
Hunting
TN CWD Zone Expanded to 6 New Counties Including Coffee & Franklin
Effective September 27, 2025
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency expanded the CWD Management Zone to include six new counties — Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, and Warren — for the 2025–26 season. Carcass transport restrictions apply in all CWD Management Zone counties, prohibiting the movement of high-risk deer parts out of the zone. Spring turkey bag limit was also reduced from 4 to 3 gobblers statewide.
Key Changes:
• CWD Management Zone expanded to include Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, and Warren counties
• Carcass transport restrictions apply in all CWD zone counties
• High-risk deer parts (head, spine, skull) may not be transported out of CWD zone
• Spring turkey bag limit reduced from 4 to 3 gobblers statewide
• Turkey Zone 1 (East Tennessee) season shortened by 5 days due to nesting data
• Hunters in CWD zone counties should bone-out harvests before transport
Source: Official Tennessee Agency ↗