What special fishing regulations apply at Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)?

Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Tennessee's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Bassmaster #1-ranked trophy largemouth fishery; 15–18 in protected slot — only 1 fish over 18 in + 4 under 15 in per 5-fish daily bag; landed multiple 13–14 lb state-record-class largemouth." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)?

Yes. Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) 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 Chickamauga Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Tennessee rules.

Do Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)'s special rules replace Tennessee's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Tennessee's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Chickamauga 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 Chickamauga Lake?

Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River), each linking to its full Tennessee regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Tennessee limits.

Does Chickamauga Lake host fishing tournaments?

Yes. Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) is a recurring stop for BASS and MLF circuits. Typical windows and the official schedule links are in the Tournament circuit section above; exact 2026 dates are confirmed on each circuit's official schedule.

2026 regulation year

Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) 2026 — Tennessee Fishing Regulations

Tennessee statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Tennessee's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) (TN) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Bassmaster #1-ranked trophy largemouth fishery; 15–18 in protected slot — only 1 fish over 18 in + 4 under 15 in per 5-fish daily bag; landed multiple 13–14 lb state-record-class largemouth
Source: Tennessee special-water list

Per-species rules on Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)

Largemouth bass regulations →
15–18 in protected slot, 5 / day combined black bass — 1 over 18 in + 4 under 15 in per limit

Tournament circuit

Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) is a recurring stop on one of the pro / semi-pro tournament circuits — BASS and MLF freshwater bass series, FLW (now MLF Toyota Series), or the IFA Redfish Tour inshore-saltwater divisions. Schedules shift year to year — typical-window guidance below, with the official circuit schedule linked for current 2026 confirmation.

BASSBassmaster Elite Series
Largemouth bass · March – April
Bassmaster Magazine has ranked Chickamauga the #1 trophy largemouth bass fishery in the United States — multiple Elite Series tournaments have produced 13–14 lb individual bass and 30+ lb 4-day sacks. The 15–18 in protected slot drives big-fish weights into the upper range.
Official BASS schedule →
MLFMLF Bass Pro Tour
Largemouth bass · Spring (February – April)
MLF Bass Pro Tour and Toyota Series both rotate Chickamauga into the spring schedule; Tennessee River impoundment, Chattanooga-area access.
Official MLF schedule →

Browse all tournament-circuit venues →

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

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)?: Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Tennessee's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Bassmaster #1-ranked trophy largemouth fishery; 15–18 in protected slot — only 1 fish over 18 in + 4 under 15 in per 5-fish daily bag; landed multiple 13–14 lb state-record-class largemouth." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)?: Yes. Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) 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 Chickamauga Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Tennessee rules.
Do Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River)'s special rules replace Tennessee's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Tennessee's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Chickamauga 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 Chickamauga Lake?: Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River), each linking to its full Tennessee regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Tennessee limits.
Does Chickamauga Lake host fishing tournaments?: Yes. Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River) is a recurring stop for BASS and MLF circuits. Typical windows and the official schedule links are in the Tournament circuit section above; exact 2026 dates are confirmed on each circuit's official schedule.

← Back to Tennessee regulations overview