The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has locked in its fishing regulations for the 2025-26 season, following a conclusion to their recent meeting at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Ray Bell Building yesterday. The newly established Sport Fish and Commercial Fishing proclamations include key changes, particularly concerning bass identification in light of Alabama Bass hybridization issues, as reported by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency News.
In addition to the regulatory updates, the session marked a transition for the Commission's leadership, with the election of Chris Devaney as the new chairman and the naming of Greg Davenport, vice chairman, and Rhonda Moody as secretary. Five members concluded their service and were celebrated for their commitment – among them, Chairman Jimmy Granbery and commissioners Wally Childress, Bill Cox, Tommy Woods, and Hank Wright.
Amidst the regulatory discourse, the Commission moved to simplify bass fishing rules. The regulation changes, set to take effect on August 1, 2025, are aimed at decreasing confusion among anglers distinguishing between smallmouth, Alabama, and spotted bass, which will all be subjected to synonymous regulations per reservoir. Tellico River's smallmouth bass rules will also mesh with statewide standards, facilitating a more streamlined fishing experience.
Attention to conservation and sustainable fishing practices was evident, with the daily creel limit for crappie at Reelfoot Lake being curtailed from 30 to 20. In the realm of commercial fishing, the mesh size for gillnets in paddlefish harvest zones sees progression – for the 2025-26 season, the Commission has allowed for a mix of six nets at 7 inches and six of 6 inches, transitioning to singular 7-inch measurements across the board post-August 1, 2026. The close of paddlefish season on Kentucky Lake now falls on March 31st, with commercial license purchase dates shifted to July 1.
