Tennessee Walleye Fishing Regulations: Limits, Sizes & Spawning-Run Rules
The general statewide Tennessee walleye limit is five fish per angler per day, with a 16-inch minimum length. That answer changes at several major reservoirs. Norris and Douglas have 15-inch rules, Watauga and South Holston require 18 inches, and Cherokee has a combined walleye–sauger–saugeye limit.
This guide helps you find the correct rule for the water you are fishing, measure a walleye legally, and avoid seasonal hook and rod restrictions during spawning runs.
Check my reservoir’s limitWhat is Tennessee’s statewide walleye limit?
Five walleye
An angler may generally keep up to five legal walleye in a day on Tennessee waters where no special walleye rule has been established.
Moving between lakes does not create an entirely new daily allowance. Track your harvested fish for the entire day.
16 inches
Under the statewide rule, a walleye shorter than 16 inches cannot be harvested.
A walleye measuring exactly 16 inches qualifies under this minimum, provided the fishery is open and no stricter local restriction applies.
TWRA’s official statewide creel and length limits establish the default. Find the walleye row, then compare it with TWRA’s reservoir regulations and statewide exceptions for your location.
Select your Tennessee walleye fishing water
Choose a water to see its published TWRA walleye limit, minimum length and special conditions. Use this as a trip-planning reference; check the current official rule before harvesting.
Select a listed reservoir to display the applicable local exception, if any. Unlisted waters still need a check for special regulations.
Tennessee walleye size and daily limits by major lake
These are the differences that cause the most mistakes: five fish with a 16-inch minimum is common, but not universal. For some eastern reservoirs, walleye and sauger also share a combined daily limit.
| Water | Daily limit | Walleye minimum | Important extra rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide default | 5 walleye | 16 inches | Use only where no local exception applies. |
| Watauga Reservoir | 5 walleye | 18 inches | Single-point hook restrictions in designated tributary spawning reaches Jan. 1–Apr. 30. |
| South Holston Reservoir | 5 walleye | 18 inches | Includes tributaries; interstate licensing issues may apply. |
| Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir | 5 walleye | 18 inches | Do not substitute the statewide 16-inch figure. |
| Norris Reservoir | 5 walleye/sauger combined | 15 inches | The designated Clinch River reach extends upstream to Grissom Island. |
| Cherokee Reservoir | 10 walleye/sauger/saugeye combined | 15 inches | The combined limit is shared by all three fish types. |
| Douglas Reservoir | 5 walleye/sauger/saugeye combined | 15 inches for walleye | Special sauger/hybrid rules and extensions into designated upstream river reaches. |
| Tellico Reservoir | 10 walleye/sauger combined; maximum 5 walleye | 15 inches | Only one walleye may measure 24 inches or longer. |
| Dale Hollow Reservoir | 5 walleye | 16 inches | East Fork Obey spawning reach has one-over-20-inch and special-hook rules Jan. 1–Apr. 15. |
| Center Hill Reservoir | 5 walleye | 16 inches | Special Jan. 1–Apr. 30 gear limits in the upper Caney Fork reach; consumption advisory for larger walleye. |
| Watts Bar Reservoir | 5 walleye | 16 inches | Follow location-specific navigation, fishing-method and access rules. |
| Melton Hill Reservoir | 5 walleye | 16 inches | A separate sauger limit applies. |
| Chickamauga Reservoir | 5 walleye unless otherwise specified | 16 inches unless otherwise specified | Check current reservoir and applicable Tennessee River reach rules. |
The four biggest exceptions, explained with harvest examples
Ten fish total does not mean ten of each species
The listed 10-fish daily creel covers walleye, sauger and saugeye combined, with a 15-inch minimum.
Example: Four walleye, three sauger and three saugeye reach the combined daily total of 10 fish. You cannot add ten more sauger under another statewide category.
Five fish shared across three species
The limit is five walleye, sauger and their hybrids in any combination. Walleye must measure at least 15 inches.
Example: Two walleye and three sauger already fill the five-fish combined allowance. Sauger and hybrid minimum-size rules are different from the walleye rule.
Check both the combined count and the trophy cap
The daily combined allowance is 10 walleye/sauger, but no more than five may be walleye. The walleye minimum is 15 inches.
Important: Only one walleye measuring 24 inches or longer may be harvested per day.
Do not keep a 16- or 17-inch fish
All three listed reservoirs have an 18-inch walleye minimum. A 17.9-inch walleye must be released even though it would meet the ordinary 16-inch statewide minimum.
Watauga also has designated seasonal single-point hook restrictions in spawning tributaries.
Is Tennessee walleye fishing open year-round?
The statewide recreational rules do not establish one universal walleye-only closed season. On ordinary waters without a seasonal exception, walleye fishing generally continues throughout the year, subject to legal size, creel, method, access and other rules.
That does not mean every spawning tributary can be fished with normal tackle year-round. TWRA uses seasonal one-hook or single-point restrictions on designated walleye-run reaches, and other site closures may apply.
Spawning-run rule period
Restricted gear applies at specified Watauga tributaries, upper Caney Fork/Center Hill and East Fork Obey/Dale Hollow reaches. Exact dates differ.
Fish moving toward tributaries
TWRA identifies Watauga and Elk River runs and Center Hill’s upper Caney Fork as important spawning-run areas. Follow reach-specific hook requirements.
Reservoir fishing continues
TWRA reports walleye use deeper structures and cooler water during warm months on some reservoirs. Check water conditions and legal methods rather than assuming a fixed statewide depth.
Three seasonal spawning-run restrictions every Tennessee walleye angler should know
1. Watauga Reservoir spawning tributaries
TWRA restricts the use of tackle to one hook having a single point, or one lure with no more than one single-point hook on these designated reaches:
- Elk River: Highway 321 bridge downstream to Row Branch.
- Doe Creek: Old Cabin Private Road downstream to Roan Creek.
- Roan Creek: Mountain Lake Estates Bridge downstream to Doe Creek.
- Watauga River: North Carolina state line downstream to the end of Cowanstown Road.
The underlying reservoir walleye limit remains five per day, minimum 18 inches. Do not bring ordinary multi-treble crankbaits into a designated single-point-hook reach during the restriction period.
Official reference: TWRA Watauga Reservoir regulations.
2. Upper Center Hill Reservoir / Caney Fork River
The special reach begins at the Rock Island State Park boat ramp and continues upstream to Great Falls Dam.
During the restriction period, anglers are limited to one hook having a single barb or one lure with one single-barbed hook. No more than three rods and reels or poles may be used.
The Center Hill walleye harvest limit remains five per day, minimum 16 inches, outside any additional special legal restriction.
Official reference: TWRA rivers and streams exceptions.
3. East Fork Obey River / Dale Hollow headwaters
The regulated reach runs from Compton Boat Ramp upstream to the Highway 52 bridge.
- One single-barbed hook or one lure with a single-barbed hook.
- No more than three rods and reels or poles.
- Five walleye per day; minimum length 16 inches.
- Only one walleye over 20 inches may be harvested under this special reach rule.
Do not confuse this January 1–April 15 rule with the January 1–April 30 restrictions on the other spawning-run waters.
How to measure a Tennessee walleye legally
Use total length
- Lay the fish flat on a measuring ruler or board.
- Close the mouth without extending or manipulating the jaw.
- Compress or squeeze the tail fin.
- Measure from the foremost closed-mouth point to the end of the compressed tail.
- Compare the measured length with your exact water’s minimum.
Daily creel is not the same as possession
TWRA’s general possession limit is twice the applicable daily creel. Under the basic five-walleye rule, that normally means ten in possession, but no more than the daily limit may be carried while afield.
Special combined-species and reach-specific rules still apply.
Keep fish identifiable
TWRA prohibits possessing fish while afield after altering them so the species or total body length cannot be determined. Measure fish before harvest, and do not fillet or otherwise alter a fish in a manner that defeats field inspection.
Don’t apply the wrong species limit to your catch
Walleye and sauger are different species. Saugeye is a hybrid of walleye and sauger. The statewide Tennessee rule lists walleye at five per day, 16-inch minimum, while sauger or sauger/walleye hybrids are generally ten per day, 15-inch minimum.
But Cherokee, Douglas, Norris and Tellico do not necessarily let you use these separate statewide allocations. Their local rules combine some or all of these species into a shared allowance.
Walleye
Usually lacks the distinct dark spots across the dorsal fin associated with sauger; a white tip on the lower tail is an identifying clue.
Sauger
Often shows dark spots on the spiny dorsal fin and saddle-like markings. It has its own statewide listing but may share a reservoir limit with walleye.
Saugeye
The hybrid can be more difficult to identify, so a mixed catch demands attention to the reservoir’s combined-species restriction.
Center Hill Reservoir: a legal walleye may still be subject to a fish-consumption advisory
On May 5, 2025, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued a precautionary mercury advisory for walleye measuring 19 inches or larger from Center Hill Reservoir in DeKalb and Putnam counties.
Avoid eating affected walleye
TDEC advises pregnant women, nursing mothers and children not to eat Center Hill walleye that measure 19 inches or larger.
Limit to one meal per month
TDEC recommends that other people limit consumption of the affected Center Hill walleye to one meal per month.
The advisory is separate from the reservoir’s legal harvest rules. TDEC says recreation and catch-and-release fishing do not carry the fish-consumption risk addressed by this advisory.
Official source: TDEC Center Hill walleye consumption advisory. Check the agency’s latest fish-consumption advisories before eating any catch.
Fishing patterns that TWRA identifies on major Tennessee walleye waters
These are planning patterns reported by TWRA, not claims about today’s bite. Legal fishing methods and accessible areas must still be checked for each water.
Center Hill
Early spring: the upper Caney Fork and Blue Hole area near Rock Island are known walleye areas. Check the spawning-run hook and rod restrictions first.
Warm months: TWRA points to deeper structures, ledges, humps and trolling/jigging opportunities.
Watauga
Late winter and spring: spawning movements into the Watauga and Elk Rivers occur as water temperatures approach the upper 40s and around 50°F.
TWRA describes the reservoir as having an established, consistently stocked walleye fishery.
Norris
Spring: spawning runs in the upper reservoir draw angling pressure.
Summer: TWRA describes night jigging and trolling approaches in deeper reservoir water.
Cherokee
TWRA identifies January through May as productive for walleye, sauger and saugeye in upper-reservoir areas near the John Sevier Steam Plant.
The three species share the 10-fish combined daily limit.
Douglas
Upper reservoir and river-reach walleye fishing can involve fish moving into the Pigeon and French Broad systems.
The special five-fish combined limit extends to defined upstream reaches, rather than ending everywhere at the reservoir shoreline.
Tellico
TWRA identifies spring trolling with crankbaits and drifting jigs in upper Little Tennessee River sections as walleye approaches.
Remember the 15-inch minimum and one-walleye-at-24-inches-or-longer restriction.
What fishing license is needed to catch walleye in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not generally require a separate species-specific walleye stamp. Anglers need the appropriate regular recreational fishing license unless a valid exemption applies, and must observe any special access or local permit conditions.
Residents and visitors
Ordinary license requirements generally begin at age 13. Adult and junior licenses vary by residency, age and duration. Nonresident anglers should select a product valid for the planned trip rather than assuming a Tennessee resident license price.
Read the site’s Tennessee fishing license overview for basic residency, age and licensing decisions.
Walleye versus trout fees
Targeting walleye does not by itself make the trout supplemental necessary. If your trip also includes trout fishing, the correct trout privileges may be needed.
See the Tennessee fishing license cost guide before comparing one-day, annual and all-species products.
For the differences between basic fishing licenses and local permits, use the Tennessee fishing permit guide. If you need help with the actual purchase, the site’s TWRA online license walkthrough explains the official process.
Can a Tennessee fishing license cover walleye across state lines?
Some Tennessee border waters have reciprocal fishing agreements, but the geographic boundaries and fishing rules vary. Do not assume one state’s license allows fishing every connected tributary, shoreline or boat-access area.
South Holston Reservoir — Virginia
TWRA recognizes a special South Holston Reservoir license arrangement for qualifying Tennessee and Virginia residents. It applies to specific impounded waters, not an unlimited right to fish every connected stream.
Anglers who are residents of neither Tennessee nor Virginia must follow the state-boundary requirements or obtain the appropriate licenses from both states.
Dale Hollow Lake — Kentucky
The Tennessee–Kentucky reciprocal area covers the designated Wolf River arm and related waters described by TWRA. Bank anglers must follow the rules of the state whose shore they are fishing.
Special spring walleye regulations on the East Fork Obey are separate from this interstate-license agreement.
Six checks that prevent the most common Tennessee walleye violations
- Check the exact reservoir. Do not use 16 inches on Watauga, South Holston or Fort Patrick Henry.
- Count mixed species correctly. Cherokee, Douglas, Norris and Tellico have special combined walleye/sauger rules.
- Check spawning-run reach boundaries. A bridge, boat ramp or named road can mark the start of a gear restriction.
- Use the right hooks. A multi-treble lure legal under the statewide rule may be prohibited during the special spawning-run period.
- Know the length before keeping a fish. Close the mouth, compress the tail and use total length.
- Check health advisories separately. Center Hill has a specific advisory for walleye 19 inches and longer.
How to verify Tennessee walleye regulations before a trip
- Open the TWRA fishing regulations hub. Confirm that you are reading the 2026–2027 regulations and any current announcements.
- Check the statewide creel and length table. Locate the walleye and sauger rows to understand the default rules.
- Find your region and named reservoir. Review the reservoir-specific walleye entry for its minimum length and any combined-species limit.
- Read the rivers and streams exceptions. This is essential for upper Caney Fork, East Fork Obey, Watauga tributaries and Douglas-area river reaches.
- Check seasonal gear dates. Identify whether the planned day falls in a January–April spawning restriction and examine the stated bridge/ramp boundaries.
- Check access and water conditions. If fishing below a TVA dam, review lake levels and generating releases. Dam flow can change quickly.
- Keep valid license proof. Use Go Outdoors Tennessee for official purchase, active-license access or reprinting.
Official pages for exact-water verification
Tennessee walleye fishing regulations FAQ
What is the statewide Tennessee walleye limit?
The general statewide walleye daily creel limit is five fish per angler, with a 16-inch minimum length. Several reservoirs have local exceptions that override this default.
What is the minimum size for walleye in Tennessee?
The statewide minimum is 16 inches. Watauga, South Holston and Fort Patrick Henry reservoirs require 18 inches, while several waters including Norris, Cherokee, Douglas and Tellico have 15-inch walleye minimums.
Can I keep a 17-inch walleye at Watauga Lake?
No. TWRA lists an 18-inch minimum walleye length for Watauga Reservoir. A 17-inch walleye must be released.
How many walleye can I keep at Cherokee Lake?
Cherokee Reservoir has a 10-fish combined daily limit for walleye, sauger and saugeye, with a 15-inch minimum length. The 10-fish allowance is shared across those species.
What is the walleye limit at Douglas Lake?
Douglas Reservoir has a five-fish daily limit shared by walleye, sauger and sauger/walleye hybrids. Walleye have a 15-inch minimum length, and the special regulation extends into designated upstream river reaches.
What is the walleye size limit at Norris Lake?
Norris Reservoir generally has a five-fish daily limit for walleye and sauger combined, with a 15-inch minimum length. The specified Clinch River reach extends upstream to Grissom Island.
Are Tennessee walleye open to fishing year-round?
The general statewide rules do not specify a universal closed season solely for walleye. However, designated spawning tributaries have seasonal gear restrictions and individual waters may have other closures or special rules.
What are the spawning-run restrictions for Tennessee walleye?
TWRA lists special hook restrictions from January 1 through April 30 on designated Watauga tributaries and the upper Caney Fork at Center Hill. The East Fork Obey River at Dale Hollow has restrictions from January 1 through April 15, including a three-rod limit and a special large-walleye harvest restriction.
How do I measure a legal walleye in Tennessee?
Lay the fish on a ruler, close the mouth without manipulating it, compress the tail fin and measure total length from the closed mouth to the tip of the compressed tail. Compare that result with the minimum length for the exact water.
Is there a mercury advisory for Center Hill walleye?
Yes. TDEC issued a precautionary advisory for Center Hill Reservoir walleye measuring 19 inches or longer. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children are advised to avoid eating the affected fish; other people are advised to limit consumption to one meal per month.
Know the lake, measure the fish, and check the spawning-run rule
The usual Tennessee rule is five walleye at 16 inches or longer, but the correct legal answer depends on the water. An 18-inch lake, a 15-inch combined-species reservoir and a January–April single-hook spawning reach require different decisions.
TennesseeFishingLicense.website is an independent informational website, not the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Official TWRA regulations, current proclamations, water-specific restrictions and TDEC consumption advisories control.
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