When is walleye / sauger season in Tennessee?

Tennessee keeps walleye / sauger 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 walleye / sauger?

The Tennessee daily bag limit for walleye / sauger is 5 / day walleye; 10 / day combined walleye + sauger. The possession limit is 5 walleye / 10 combined in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye / sauger can you keep in Tennessee?

The Tennessee size rule for walleye / sauger is 16 in min walleye on Tennessee River + Cumberland River reservoirs; 14 in min sauger.

Do you need a license to fish for walleye / sauger in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye / sauger, 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 walleye / sauger in Tennessee?

Yes. In Tennessee, walleye / sauger fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited except in Tennessee River paddlefish snagging zones (separate regulation); Cherokee + Norris + Center Hill: 16 in min walleye, 5 / day; Cumberland River tailwaters: 16 in min walleye, 5 / day.

Do specific Tennessee waters have different walleye / sauger rules?

Yes. 5 named Tennessee waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye / sauger regulation, including Center Hill Lake, Norris Lake, Cherokee Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Tennessee Walleye / sauger 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Sander vitreus / Sander canadensis

Last updated May 26, 2026

Center Hill Lake, Norris Lake, and Cherokee Lake anchor Tennessee's walleye fishery — fall trolling on the lower lakes produces 5–8 lb fish, and the spring run up the Cumberland and Holston tributaries draws regional anglers. Watauga Lake supports a smaller cold-water walleye population. Sauger (the walleye's close cousin) live in the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems and are managed under a separate 14-inch minimum. Combined walleye + sauger daily bag is 10 fish.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day walleye; 10 / day combined walleye + sauger
Possession: 5 walleye / 10 combined in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 16 in min walleye on Tennessee River + Cumberland River reservoirs; 14 in min sauger

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited except in Tennessee River paddlefish snagging zones (separate regulation)
Cherokee + Norris + Center Hill: 16 in min walleye, 5 / day
Cumberland River tailwaters: 16 in min walleye, 5 / day

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Tennessee waters:

Center Hill Lake
16 in min, 5 / day; Tennessee's flagship walleye reservoir
Norris Lake
16 in min, 5 / day; trophy walleye fishery
Cherokee Lake
16 in min, 5 / day; East TN crappie + walleye + striped bass reservoir
Watauga Lake
16 in min, 5 / day; cold-water walleye + lake trout
Pickwick Lake
14 in min sauger, 5 / day; Tennessee River main-stem sauger fishery

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

Walleye / sauger 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 walleye / sauger season in Tennessee?: Tennessee keeps walleye / sauger 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 walleye / sauger?: The Tennessee daily bag limit for walleye / sauger is 5 / day walleye; 10 / day combined walleye + sauger. The possession limit is 5 walleye / 10 combined in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye / sauger can you keep in Tennessee?: The Tennessee size rule for walleye / sauger is 16 in min walleye on Tennessee River + Cumberland River reservoirs; 14 in min sauger.
Do you need a license to fish for walleye / sauger in Tennessee?: Yes. Tennessee requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye / sauger, 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 walleye / sauger in Tennessee?: Yes. In Tennessee, walleye / sauger fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited except in Tennessee River paddlefish snagging zones (separate regulation); Cherokee + Norris + Center Hill: 16 in min walleye, 5 / day; Cumberland River tailwaters: 16 in min walleye, 5 / day.
Do specific Tennessee waters have different walleye / sauger rules?: Yes. 5 named Tennessee waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye / sauger regulation, including Center Hill Lake, Norris Lake, Cherokee Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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