Winter trout stocking program underway

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has begun its 2023-24 winter trout stocking schedule. TWRA plans to release approximately 75,000 rainbow trout into Tennessee waters through March.

The program provides numerous close to home trout fishing opportunities for anglers during the winter months. These fisheries also provide a great opportunity to introduce children or first-time anglers to fishing. Ponds, streams, and small lakes across the state are stocked with rainbow trout during the winter months when water temperatures are cold.

There are more than 40 locations for this year’s winter trout stocking program. A new location this year is Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City which will have three stockings coming in December, January, and February. The full list of locations and stocking dates can be found on TWRA’s website, www.tnwildlife.org.

Many of these locations are in urban-areas and include walking trails, playgrounds, and pavilions making them the perfect place to take the family or first-time angler. It also makes a great place for anglers wanting to catch some tasty trout.

The trout will average about 10 inches in length. The daily creel limit is seven, but there is no size limit. Anglers are reminded that a trout license is needed in addition to the fishing license.

Please note that the dates and locations are subject to change. Updates can be found on TWRA’s website. For areas not listed in this program, see the 2024 stocking schedule and tailwater schedule on the website.