What special fishing regulations apply at Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)?

Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Tennessee's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye / sauger. One of them reads: "Trophy smallmouth fishery (18 in min, 5 / day) + walleye (16 in min, 5 / day); Caney Fork tailwater below Center Hill Dam holds trophy brown trout." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)?

Yes. Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork) is in Tennessee, so a valid Tennessee fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Center Hill Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Tennessee rules.

Do Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)'s special rules replace Tennessee's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Tennessee's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Center Hill Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Center Hill Lake?

Smallmouth bass and Walleye / sauger have a water-body-specific rule on Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork), each linking to its full Tennessee regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Tennessee limits.

2026 regulation year

Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork) 2026 — Tennessee Fishing Regulations

Tennessee statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork) carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Tennessee's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye / sauger. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Trophy smallmouth fishery (18 in min, 5 / day) + walleye (16 in min, 5 / day); Caney Fork tailwater below Center Hill Dam holds trophy brown trout
Source: Tennessee special-water list

Per-species rules on Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)

Smallmouth bass regulations →
18 in min, 5 / day combined black bass
Walleye / sauger regulations →
16 in min, 5 / day; Tennessee's flagship walleye reservoir

Official source

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency publishes the authoritative 2026 Tennessee fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Tennessee fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

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

Other special-regulation waters in Tennessee

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)?: Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Tennessee's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye / sauger. One of them reads: "Trophy smallmouth fishery (18 in min, 5 / day) + walleye (16 in min, 5 / day); Caney Fork tailwater below Center Hill Dam holds trophy brown trout." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)?: Yes. Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork) is in Tennessee, so a valid Tennessee fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Center Hill Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Tennessee rules.
Do Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork)'s special rules replace Tennessee's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Tennessee's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Center Hill Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Center Hill Lake?: Smallmouth bass and Walleye / sauger have a water-body-specific rule on Center Hill Lake (Caney Fork), each linking to its full Tennessee regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Tennessee limits.

← Back to Tennessee regulations overview