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JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Free FiShinG
DaY/week
Saturday, June 7, is Free Fishing Day
in Tennessee and anyone (resident or
non‑resident) of any age may fish free
without a license in Tennessee’s public
waters! Even better, if you are 15 years
old or younger, you may fish free the
entire week, beginning on Free Fishing
Day, June 7, and running through the
following Friday, June 13.
This day and week are annual events in
Tennessee and are great opportunities
to introduce children to the joys and
excitement of a day on the water
catching fish! Not only is fishing a great
family activity, it helps make us more
aware of our natural environment.
Finding a place to fish is easier than
ever. Starting in late spring, all you
need to do is go to www.tnwildlife.org
to view the 2008 Kid’s Fishing Events.
There you will find a variety of activities
planned across the state with details as
to event locations and times. You can
also contact your regional TWRA office
to find out what’s going on in your area
or let them know you are interested
in sponsoring or volunteering to help
with an event. Anglers and would‑be
anglers should check the events list
often since more fishing rodeos are
frequently added. Whatever you do,
don’t miss the fun!
Free Fishing Day and Week apply to
Tennessee’s public waters, Agency
owned and operated lakes, and state
park facilities. Some privately owned
pay lakes continue to charge during
this special day and week. Please
consult with lake operators if you have
any questions about the status of a
particular facility.
GeNeraL INfOrmatION
aCCess to PRivate laND foR fisHiNg stReaMs aND PoNDs
Most of the access to Tennessee streams and rivers and all farm ponds are under private ownership.
Access to private property is a privilege, not a right. Taking time to request permission to private
property can lead to some great fishing opportunities.
Ask permission in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute.
• Visit the landowner in person, rather than a phone call. This allows the landowner to see you and
makes it much easier to get permission.
• Visit at a convenient time for the landowner. Right after lunch or early evening may be a good
opportunity to catch the landowner. Don’t go at night.
• Ask permission for a specific day and number of anglers. Keep that number as low as possible.
• Go by yourself or with your child when asking.
• The way you dress is important, so dress appropriately.
If you get permission, follow these guidelines:
• Be sure you know where you can and can’t go, and any specific rules the landowner may have.
Some pond owners need you to remove certain fish, while releasing others.
• Be sure you know where their property lines are located.
• Drive only on roads the landowner has designated.
• Leave gates just as you found them.
• Keep away from all houses, barns and livestock, and respect crops.
• Thank the landowner before you go fishing.
• Offer to return their favor with another. For example, offer to help fix a broken fence or gate.
• Report any damages to fences or livestock you see – even if it isn’t your doing.
• Leave the property cleaner than you found it.
• Offer to share your catch with the landowner, preferably cleaned.
• Lastly, don’t assume that permission granted one time means that you automatically have
permission to return. Situations change so you should check in with the landowner regularly.
Be aN etHiCal aNgleR
• Learn how to fish responsibly to protect and conserve our natural resources.
• Practice catch and release and selective harvest methods. These methods increase survival rates of
released fish and help maintain fishing success for future generations.
• Be courteous and respect the rights of all resource users, including other anglers, swimmers,
boaters, and land owners.
• Sincerely appreciate the environment and work hard to keep it clean.
• Harvest fish responsibly, keeping only what you can eat.
• Know and abide by fishing regulations. They enhance and protect the resource and more evenly
distribute harvests among anglers.
PiCK uP YouR tRasH!
Beverage bottles, bait containers, tackle packaging, and fishing line are common sights at many
fishing holes. Besides trashing the area, littering has other consequences. Littering by relatively few
anglers is ruining fishing opportunities for everyone. Many landowners refuse access to their land
because they do not want to pick up after anglers. Littering also makes it more costly to manage public
areas. We must clean up or we will loose even more access for fishing.
Fishing line may seem like a relatively harmless item to discard. But there is no excuse for littering.
Discarded fishing line could injure or kill wildlife, and can even entangle people resulting in injuries.
Take the time to put your excess line in a small plastic bag, and take it home with you. Some tackle
shops accept old line for recycling.
wateR Release
sCHeDules foR DaMs
Water release schedules
of TVA and US Army Corps
of Engineers dams and
observed lake elevations of
TVA impoundments can be
determined by calling the
following number:
1‑800‑238‑2264
www.lakeinfo.tva.gov
For lake information on US Army Corps of Engineers
impoundments, call:
J. Percy Priest Lake ...................................615‑883‑2351
Old Hickory Lake ........................................615‑824‑7766
Cordell Hull Lake .......................................615‑735‑1050
Center Hill Lake .........................................931‑858‑4366
Dale Hollow Lake .......................................931‑243‑3408
Lake Barkley ..............................................270‑362‑8430
Cheatham Lake ..........................................615‑883‑2351
WWW.ORN.USACE.ARMY.MIL
2008 Fishing Guide 11