When is largemouth bass season in Tennessee?

Tennessee keeps largemouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Tennessee bag limit for largemouth bass?

The Tennessee daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted) on most waters. The possession limit is 5 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size largemouth bass can you keep in Tennessee?

The Tennessee size rule for largemouth bass is 15 in minimum most reservoirs; Chickamauga 15–18 in protected slot. Slot limit: Chickamauga Lake: 15–18 in protected slot — only 1 fish over 18 in per 5-fish daily bag, remaining 4 must be under 15 in.

Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Tennessee license — compare resident and non-resident Tennessee fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for largemouth bass in Tennessee?

Yes. In Tennessee, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Chickamauga slot enforced — measure every fish, release all in the 15–18 in protected band; Kentucky Lake / Lake Barkley: KY licence honoured under interstate compact; Tournament boats follow TWRA livewell + cull rules; mandatory live-release on slot-protected fish.

Do specific Tennessee waters have different largemouth bass rules?

Yes. 5 named Tennessee waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Tennessee Largemouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Micropterus nigricans

Last updated May 26, 2026

Chickamauga Lake on the Tennessee River is consistently ranked the #1 trophy largemouth bass fishery in the United States by Bassmaster Magazine — a 15–18 inch protected slot limit has produced multiple 13–14 pound fish, with the Tennessee state-record 15 lb 3 oz largemouth set on Chickamauga in 2015. Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley — the twin TVA impoundments shared with Kentucky — anchor west-Tennessee bass fishing under a standard 15 inch / 5 fish bag. Reelfoot Lake (the 1811 earthquake lake) and Pickwick Lake round out the famed Tennessee bass waters, while the Cumberland River reservoirs (Old Hickory, Percy Priest) sit on Nashville's doorstep.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round on all public waters.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted) on most waters
Possession: 5 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 15 in minimum most reservoirs; Chickamauga 15–18 in protected slot
Slot: Chickamauga Lake: 15–18 in protected slot — only 1 fish over 18 in per 5-fish daily bag, remaining 4 must be under 15 in

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
Chickamauga slot enforced — measure every fish, release all in the 15–18 in protected band
Kentucky Lake / Lake Barkley: KY licence honoured under interstate compact
Tournament boats follow TWRA livewell + cull rules; mandatory live-release on slot-protected fish

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Tennessee waters:

Chickamauga Lake
15–18 in protected slot, 5 / day combined black bass — 1 over 18 in + 4 under 15 in per limit
Kentucky Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined black bass; KY or TN licence honoured
Lake Barkley
15 in min, 5 / day combined black bass; reciprocal with KY
Pickwick Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined black bass; reciprocal coverage on shared TN/AL/MS waters
Reelfoot Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined black bass; earthquake lake

Official source

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency publishes the authoritative 2026 Tennesseefishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Tennessee fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Largemouth bass closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's emergency-order feed — check it before any Tennessee trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is largemouth bass season in Tennessee?: Tennessee keeps largemouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Tennessee bag limit for largemouth bass?: The Tennessee daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted) on most waters. The possession limit is 5 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size largemouth bass can you keep in Tennessee?: The Tennessee size rule for largemouth bass is 15 in minimum most reservoirs; Chickamauga 15–18 in protected slot. Slot limit: Chickamauga Lake: 15–18 in protected slot — only 1 fish over 18 in per 5-fish daily bag, remaining 4 must be under 15 in.
Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Tennessee?: Yes. Tennessee requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Tennessee license — compare resident and non-resident Tennessee fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for largemouth bass in Tennessee?: Yes. In Tennessee, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Chickamauga slot enforced — measure every fish, release all in the 15–18 in protected band; Kentucky Lake / Lake Barkley: KY licence honoured under interstate compact; Tournament boats follow TWRA livewell + cull rules; mandatory live-release on slot-protected fish.
Do specific Tennessee waters have different largemouth bass rules?: Yes. 5 named Tennessee waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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