The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Fisheries Division presented its proposed 2018-19 sport fish regulation proposals during the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s August meeting held at TWRA’s Region II Ray Bell Building.
The public is invited to provide comments on the proposals. The deadline for sport fishing comments is Sept. 15. To provide comments, email TWRA at fishingreg.comments@tn.gov, or write to TWRA Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204.
The TFWC will vote on the sport fish and commercial fish regulations at its Sept.26-27 meeting to be held in Gatlinburg. If approved, the sport fishing changes would become effective March 1, 2018.
Region IV
Proposal would close upper Cherokee Reservoir to snagging from March 1 through May 31, except during the snagging season (April 1-15). The purpose of the closures would be to protect paddlefish from snagging before and after the snagging season.
Proposal would reduce the area on the Elk River of Watauga Reservoir that has a hook restriction during January through April. This change would allow anglers to use all types fishing gear in this section of the river year round.
Proposals would open delayed-harvest trout fishing areas on Doe River in Carter County and Buffalo Creek in Grainger County.
The delayed-harvest season on Doe River includes the entire reach within Roan Mountain State Park and would be in effect from Nov. 1 through the last day of February.
The delayed-harvest season on Buffalo Creek would be from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31. It would extend from the mill dam downstream to the Buffalo Springs WMA boundary.