Tennessee delayed-harvest trout waters shift to catch-and-release Oct. 1

Tennessee’s delayed-harvest trout program is in its fall catch-and-release window. On listed waters, harvest and possession of trout are prohibited during the C&R season, only artificial lures are allowed, and bait is banned.

Per TWRA’s 2026 trout regulations (updated Sept. 15, 2026), Doe River inside Roan Mountain State Park, the Hiwassee from Apalachia Powerhouse to the L&N Railroad Bridge, Paint Creek from the campground to the French Broad, and the Tellico from the North River mouth to the North Carolina line run catch-and-release Oct. 1 through Feb. 28. Buffalo Creek from the mill dam downstream to the Buffalo Springs WMA boundary is Oct. 1 through Jan. 31. Big Soddy Creek above Back Valley Road now starts later — Nov. 1 through Feb. 28 — after TWRA pushed that opener back one month.

Outside those windows, statewide trout rules apply unless a water has its own exceptions. Tailwater anglers should still check TVA generation before wading. Confirm the latest TWRA trout page before you string up.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Tennessee trout regulations via eRegulations / TWRA (last updated Sept. 15, 2026).