May 2018 FREE! TIME TO ENJOY FISHING IN TENNESSEE! FREE WWW.TNFHG.COM - Full Color On The Web! MORE FACTS, PHOTOS, AND FUN INSIDE! FREE
TENNESSEE FISHING & HUNTING GUIDE 1805 Amarillo Ln Knoxville, TN 37922 865-693-7468 J.L. & Lin Stepp Publishers Serving Tennessee Since 1990 BENTON SHOOTERS SUPPLY The Largest Shooters Supply Store In The South! WWW.BENTONSHOOTERS.COM 423-338-2008 Hwy 411, Benton, TN 37307 Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm HUNTING & FISHING SUPPLIES - GUNS - AMMO ARCHEREY EQUIPMENT - SAFES OUTDOOR CLOTHING FOR MEN/WOMEN/CHILDREN Our E-mail: steppcom@aol.com Send us your pictures! ABOUT THE COVER Springtime weather has finally arrived for good and it s time to get out and enjoy Tennessee waters. Ryan caught this nice striper on Norris Lake. Stream fishing and lake fishing both hot for all Tennessee game fish now, so get out there - be safe and have fun! Photo courtesy Judy s Grocery 748 Old Middlesboro Hwy, LaFollette, TN 423-562-3285 Fish & Hunt Tennessee! 2 Long guns and handguns: Over 2,000 guns in stock! Ammo and supplies for every shooting need. KEEP OUR TENNESSEE LAKES CLEAN Introduce A Kid To Fishing!
WATTS BAR LAKE 4 CORNERS MARKET Intersection of Hwys 58 & 68, Decatur, TN * Gotzza Pizza - Subs - Salad - Wings (Delicious & Best @ Prices) Call In or Carry Out * Hunting & Fishing Licenses * Live Bait & Fishing Supplies * Cigarettes - Beer - Groceries * 100% Ethanol-Free Gas (grades 87 & 93) OPEN 7 DAYS - Big Game Checking Station 423-334-9518 Scott Bales with a big gobbler. Photo courtesy Four Corners Market. * Groceries * Deli - Take-Out * Pizza * 100% Gas - no ethanol * Live Bait * Worms * Beer * Ice * Lottery * Propane * Minnows 5th Annual Roane County Bass Tournament Benefiting Saturday, May 19th, 2018 - Watts Bar Lake - Kingston City Park - Kingston, TN NOW! VIEW THIS MAGAZINE IN COLOR ONLINE AT WWW.TNFHG.COM 3
WATTS BAR LAKE * Fishing Equipment * Tackle * Live Bait * Open Mon - Sat 423-365-2266 290 Whites Creek Road Spring City, TN 37381 Little Fisherman s Bass Tournament - 2018 May 12th - Tom Fuller Boat Ramp Rockwood Sign-up 7am, Blast-off 8am, Weigh-in 1 pm $30 per boat info call 423-5395560 Joey Cunningham got lunker of the day with this whopper 10.68 pounder! Photo The Bait Box. 4 It s hog time in Tennessee! Dwight Hagler (L) with a 10.6 pounder, and Mikey Jenkins (R) with a 10.2 pounder - what a day for these boys! Photos courtesy The Bait Box.
WATTS BAR LAKE Jake Harrell and buddy with two big Watts Bar bass. Photo courtesy Watts Bar Bait & Tackle. INTRODUCE A KID TO FISHING! Ronnie Johnson with a nice Watts Bar crappie. Photo courtesy Jerry s Bait Shop. SATURDAY TOURNAMENTS EVERYONE WELCOME Tom Fuller Park - Rockwood TN/Watts Bar Lake 7:00 AM or Safe Light to 3:00 P.M. 25$ per person - 100% Payback For more information DWIGHT HAGLER 423-593-6040 5
WATTS BAR LAKE Archery Equip & Supplies Custom made Long-Bows and Muzzleloaders Guns - Ammo - Scopes Treestands - Clothing Open: Tu - F 12-7 / Sat 12-8 Business 423-619-8739 wilkey.doa@gmail.com Mike 423-605-2299 Stacia 423-605-0116 1367 Market St. Dayton, TN 37321 Vicky and Chuck from IN with a nice bunch of Chickamauga crappie. Photo Barry s Guide Service. Chuck with two nice crappie. Photo courtesy Barry s Guide Service. 6 Paul & Missy from GA - a good day on Chickamauga. Photo Barry s Guide Service. Capt. Barry with two good slabs from Watts Bar. Photo Barry s Guide Service.
WATTS BAR LAKE Watts Bar Bait and Tackle 1831 State Hwy 68W Decatur, TN 37322 423-334-4286 LIVE BAIT - TACKLE - FISHING SUPPLIES 100% GAS - GROCERIES - DELI LICENSES - BIG GAME CHECKING STATION BEER - ICE - CIGARETTES Open 7 Days from 5am - till fish quit biting! - AMERICAN OWNED - Ph: (423)365-9521 Fax:(423)365-0921 1190 Whites Creek Rd - Spring City, TN 37381 * Lodging For Any Need * Plus New Floating Covered Docks www.whitescreekmarina.com James Harris, owner and operator of Watts Bar Bait & Tackle, checked in this nice tom. Photo courtesy Watts Bar Bait & Tackle. WWW.TNFHG.COM Vicky with her best of the day fishing on Chickamauga. Photo courtesy Barry s Guide Service. Download this magazine in full color! 7
WATTS BAR LAKE Restaurant and store open every day from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 89 octane fuel - no ethanol fishing license, live bait, marine supplies, snacks Authorized service on Evinrude and Yamaha outboards by appt. Authorized Stratos Bass Boat dealer 423-365-6484 arrowheadresort@volstate.net Erick & Paul from NJ and IL had a windy day catch on Chickamauga. Photo Barry s Guide Service. Joe & Kevin with some good Chickamauga crappie. Photo Barry s Guide Service. Stanley with a nice Lake Chickamauga crappie. Photo Barry s Guide Service. 8 Denzil and Gary with some nice ones from day two of their trip. Photo Barry s Guide Service. Gary & Denzil from KY with a good rainy day catch. Photo Barry s Guide Service.
HIWASSEE / OCOEE RIVERS Trey Andrews, age 11, with his big bird - 22 lbs, 11 b., 11/4 s. Photo Benton Shooters Supply. This Magazine Provided To You FREE By The Advertisers Thank Them With YOUR Business! Jeff Hunt from Benton Shooters Supply got a big one too. Photo courtesy Benton Shooters Supply. 2018-19 Tennessee Wildlife Calendar Contest Winners Selected NASHVILLE --- The winning entries for the 2018-19 Tennessee Wildlife magazine photo contest have been selected by staff members of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The selections will appear in the annual calendar issue of the magazine, which will be available in early July. The staff selected photographs from hundreds of submissions and had the challenge to narrow (Con t on p. 16 9
HIWASSEE / OCOEE RIVERS 10 Darryl and Tracy Willis got in on some good crappie fishing. Photo courtesy Hiwassee Corner Market. Brayden Calfee with his 1st crappie of the season - caught in Cottonport, TN. Photo courtesy Jimmy McAbee / Benton Shooters Supply.
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO Photos above: Happy anglers enjoy striper and smallmouth bass action below Ft. Loudon Dam. Photos FISH ON! Guided Tours. 11
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO Global Loan & Pawn Need Cash Quick? We loan on guns, jewelry, car titles, land, boats, any item of value We Pawn, Buy & Sell We can order any gun you need, If we don t have it! (865) 988-5263 312 West Broadway, Lenoir City, TN 37771 OPEN: M - F 10-6 Sat 10-3 pawn@globalpawn.net $10.00 Off $10.00 Off $10.00 OFF ANY GUN WITH COUPON $10.00 Off $10.00 Off 12 Big striper below Ft. Loudon Dam. Guided by FISH ON! Guided Tours.
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO "Every cast is a new adventure!" Capt. Chadwick Ferrell Join "Fish On!" Guided Tours, Located on the Tennessee and Clinch rivers. Est. 1998. As seen on "Live at Five","Allstar Cast" and featured in Tennessee Sportsman magazine. Member: Knoxville Chamber Of Commerce in 2007. Your guide has over 24 years exp. as a LOCAL, sponsored/pro angler. We are a FULL TIME guide service, targeting ALL east Tennessee species: Trophy Striper, Trout, Catfish, Bass, Crappie, White bass, Sauger and Muskey. We fish ALL year round..great Gift Idea! Gift Certificates available. Book Today! Check us out at WWW.FISHONTOURS. COM. Contact : USCG Certified, Captain Chadwick Ferrell, 865-455-0412 Thank You and Tight Lines. Photos above: big stripers and smallmouth below Ft. Loudon Dam - guided by FISH ON! Guided Tours. 13
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO Fishing Supplies - Custom Lures - Live Bait - Hunting Supplies - Licenses Checking Station - Hardware - Gas - Convenient Mart - OPEN 7 DAYS 14 Ryan Lee with a nice 8 pt on last Thanksgiving Day - taken in Vonore area, field dressed 172 lbs. Photo courtesy Sloan s Center. WWW.TNFHG.COM Photos above: some big bass taken below Ft. Loudon Dam = guided by FISH ON! Guided Tours. Download this magazine in full color! 30th Annual Irwin/Food City Bass Tournament - May 5 - Tellico Canal Ramp For more info: (865) 232-1124
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO Allen s Guns and Leather - FREE LAYAWAY! - NEW AND USED GUNS - LARGE SELECTION OF AMMO BUY - SELL - TRADE - TRANSFER - FFL DEALER Looking for something? We cand help you find it! Ammo - Holsters - Scopes - Carry Purses Ask About Out Custom Leather Belts, Wallets, Zippo Lighters, Belt Buckles - Glock Armor - 865-986-4888 5125 B Hwy 321 N, Lenoir City, TN Smallmouth and largemouth action below Ft. Loudon Dam. Photo courtesy FISH ON! Guided Tours. Send us your hunting & fishing photos: email to steppcom@aol.com 15
CHEROKEE LAKE Swango s Precision Firearms 7272 St. Clair Rd. Whitesburg, TN 37891 423-235-1022 Open: Mon - Sat 9-5 www.precisionfirearms.com Buy, Sell, Trade, Transfer Pistols, Rifles, Shotguns, Safes Ammo, Accessories, Reloading Supplies Special Orders, & Handgun Carry Classes ( Contest Winners... con t from p. 9) the entries to 13 photos that will appear in the calendar issue. The 2018-19 calendar will begin with the month of August and continues through the following July. Other entries will be kept on file and could have the opportunity to appear in future agency publications and on the agency s website. The photographers with the selected entries are Danielle Knowles (Smithville), John Bell (Martin), Brian Shults (Greenback), Galya Loewen (Nashville), Becky McRae (Bartlett), Christopher Nelson (Cookeville), Holly Nelson (Rockwood), Samuel Hobbs (Goodspring), Cecil Cal Calloway (Mur- 16 (Con t on p. 17
( Contest Winners... con t from p. 16) freesboro), Mary Glynn Williamson (Nashville), and Ronnie George (Spring Hill). The staff of Tennessee Wildlife offers congratulations to all of the winners and reminds photographers that if your photo was not chosen, next year s entry could be a winner. Rules and deadlines for the 2019-20 Tennessee Wildlife photo contest will appear in future issues of the magazine and also in the fall on the TWRA website. Photographers will again be invited to submit their best photos on fishing and wildlife species native to the Volunteer State, and fishing and hunting scenes in Tennessee. ---TWRA--- Support Our Advertisers With YOUR Business! DOUGLAS LAKE INDIAN CREEK MARKET & DELI 1811 Indian Creek Road Dandridge, TN 37725 OPEN 7 Days a Week 6:00 am - 9:00 pm NORRIS LAKE Phone # 865-397-0880 Full Menu: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Take Out Ask About our Daily Specials and Desserts! Live Bait - Fishing Supplies BOAT STORAGE - BOAT REPAIRS Send us your hunting & fishing photos: email to steppcom@aol.com Ryan shows off his good striper catch on Norris Lake. Photo courtesy Judy s Grocery. Becoming An Outdoors Woman 2018 Workshop Set June 1-3 in Cumberland County 17
NORRIS LAKE Brandon Stanford with his big tom. Photo courtesy Judy s Grocery. Edward and Jack Smith with big turkeys. Photo Judy s Grocery. Steve Dunn - 21 lbs, 10 beard. Photo courtesy Judy s Grocery. 18 Leon Johnson checked in this big gobbler. Photo Judy s Grocery.
NORRIS LAKE Tennessee Outdoors Youth Summit Makes Return to Clyde M. York 4-H Center NASHVILLE --- The Ninth Annual Tennessee Outdoors Youth Summit will be held for the second year at the Clyde York 4-H Center near Crossville. The 2018 event is scheduled for July 15-20. The summit was established for high school students from across Tennessee. During the week, students are introduced to many outdoor activities. It was held at the Montgomery (Con t on p. 20) Scott Liford & Jeff Norris Owners *Houseboat Rentals *Speedboat Rentals *Pontoon Rentals *Open Pontoon Slips *New Wave Runner Rentals *New Park Models Rentals *Paddle Board & Boat Rentals *Water Toy Rentals *Overnight & Primitive Temt Camping Phone (865)278-3131 cedargrovemarina.com Jim Shreiver caught this striper on bait from Judy s Grocery. Photo Judy s Grocery. Jim Shreiver with big Norris Lake largemouth bass. Photo courtesy Judy s Grocery. CEDAR GROVE MARINA & CAMPGROUND A Full-Service Marina conveniently located on beautiful Norris Lake off Hwy 33 in New Tazewell, TN New Luxury Houseboat Rentals Speedboat Rentals Pontoon Rentals Open Pontoon Slips New Wave Runner Rentals New Park Models Rentals Paddle Board & Paddle Boat Rentals Water Toy Rentals Overnight & Primitive Tent Camping Contact us today and start planning your next lake get-away! 865-278-3131 e-mail: cedargrovemarina@hotmail.com www.cedargrovemarina.com 19
WATAUGA / S. HOLSTON / BOONE Brummitt s Bait & Tackle Live Bait 423-895-8161 746 Hwy 321 Hampton, TN 37658 Brock Trew -biggest walleye 6.6 lbs. Photo Brock Trew. Hunter Davenport with a big lake trout. Photo courtesy Brummitt s Bait & Tackle. ( Youth Summit... con t from p. 19) County Shooting Complex near Clarksville before moving to the 4-H Center in 2017. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation are again partnering to host this year s event. Among the different outdoor activities 20 (Con t on p. 21) Billy Greear (Dustin s Dad) got this coyote with 20 ga. single shot on turkey hunt. Photo Dustin Greear.
WATAUGA / S. HOLSTON / BOONE Photos this page: Mack White has been tearing up the smallmouth on Watauga Lake - his biggest a 7-pound beauty (center photo). Photos courtesy TNT Outdoors. ( Youth Summit... con t from p. 20) that the students will have an opportunity to become introduced to include boating, hunting, trapping, archery, photography, marksmanship, plant identification, forestry, camping, water quality, trap shooting, skeet shooting, wildlife identification, and several classes with wildlife and fish biology as topics. Students will participate in hands-on classes that teach the importance of the natural resources and their management. Instructors will be wildlife and fisheries biologists, (Con t on p. 24) 21
DALE HOLLOW LAKE Nathan Karch, Melvin McLerran Named Boating Officers of the Year Nathan Karch (center) is the Boating Officer of the Year while Melvin McLerran (second from right) is the part-time Boating of the Year for the TWRA. Also pictured from left are Dr. Jeff Cook (TFWC chairman), Glenn Moates (Assistant Boating and Law Enforcement chief) and Ed Carter (TWRA executive director). Nathan Karch and Melvin McLerran have been selected as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2017 Boating Officer of the Year and part-time Boating Officer of the Year, respectively. Both officers are assigned to work TWRA Region II s District 21, a 12-county district in Middle Tennessee. District 21 contains the five major reservoirs of J. Percy Priest, Cordell Hull, Old Hickory, Cheatham, and Barkley. Karch inspected 2,112 boats for compliance, issued 118 court citations for violations, 30 warning citations, administered field sobriety tests to eight boat operators and made three boating under the influence (BUI) arrests. Additionally, he assisted other TWRA officers with 54 violations and helped 112 boaters on the water that required immediate assistance. Karch worked patrol at major public marine events in the Nashville area. He also checked close to 2,200 people for various hunting, fishing, and access area violations throughout the year. Karch was the lead investigator on four boating incidents and assisted on three others, including a pair of fatalities. He also worked two drownings that were not boating related. In the area of education and outreach, Karch taught a boater education classes, certifying 35 students. He has also spent a lot of his time working with numerous groups teaching boating safety, hunting safety, and providing education on the importance of our agency and its mission. 22 Nathan Karch (center) is the Boating Officer of the Year while Melvin McLerran (second from right) is the part-time Boating of the Year for the TWRA. Also pictured from left are Dr. Jeff Cook (TFWC chairman), Glenn Moates (Assistant Boating and Law Enforcement chief) and Ed Carter (TWRA executive director). McLerran earned the part-time boating award for the second time in his career. His previous honor came for 2015. In his duties as a part-time officer, McLerran inspected 1,237 boats for compliance, issued 118 court citations for violations, 110 warning citations, admin- (Con t on p. 23
DALE HOLLOW LAKE Boat Parking With Elec. Hook-ups Wireless Internet Security Cameras - FACILITIES FOR SALE - - Dale Hollow Fishing Report - courtesy Sportsman s Lodge Motel Smallmouth Bass: A few smallmouths are being caught on jerkbaits and A-rigs while fishing points with grass in about 10-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass: A few largemouths are being caught on A-rigs, jerkbaits, and jigs while fishing shallow cover in the rivers. Crappie: A few crappie are being caught near Eastport while fishing minnows around shallow cover. (Huntfishbuddy.com) ( Officers Of The Year... con t from p. 22) istered field sobriety tests to six boating operators and made an arrest for boating under the influence (BUI). Additionally, McLerran assisted other TWRA officers with four BUI violations and helped 19 boaters on the water that required immediate assistance. He worked patrol at major public marine events in the Nashville area and fulfilled the need to have more enforcement presence on the lakes during hunting season when full-time officers had other duties. In the area of outreach, McLerran participated in the Nashville Boat Show and Nashville Fishing Show. He also conducted public programs and participated in other public venues to promote boating safety. - TWRA - Support Our Advertisers With YOUR Business! Horse Creek Dock & Resort 703 Horse Creek Dock Road, Celina, TN 38551 931-243-2125 * COTTAGES * BOAT RENTALS * FISHING SUPPLIES * BAIT * ICE - GROCERIES 23
are members of the work force. CENTER HILL LAKE ( Youth Summit... con t from p. 21) wildlife officers, college professors, professional shooting coaches and experts from specific fields of interest. Students can plan on each class they sign up for to be two to four hours in length and will include hands-on application in that subject. Once students are accepted to the program, they will be able to attend at least 10 classes during the week. During this week, the students will have the opportunity to gain certification in many different programs. Students, who are interested in a career in the natural resources field, will also enjoy the experiences that normally are not learned until they The cost to attend the summit is $350 for the week-long experience which includes lodging and meals. Scholarships are available and based on financial need. Students interested in attending should log on to www.tnwildlife.org and submit an application by May 25. Students wishing to receive a scholarship only need to submit an application form indicating that they want a scholarship. Applications can be downloaded from www.tnwildlife.org or www.twrf.net. Enrollment is limited to 120 students and if an application is not accepted, refunds will be returned in full. If an application is chosen, the successful applicant will be sent a password and web address to the location of the scheduling packet. Students will select their classes of interest and pay the balance of the cost of the program. For questions or additional information, contact Lacey Lane at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation at (615) 831-9311, ext. 114, (731) 415-0641 or by email at llane@twrf.net. ---TWRA--- 24
PAY LAKE FISHING GALLATIN PAY LAKE 1035 N.WATER AVE. GALLATIN,TN.37066 1 (615) 230-0456 LAKE OPEN: 7:00am To 7:00am $10.00 Per Person MONDAY THU SUNDAY, (BUT, BAIT SHOP CLOSED: Mon.,Tue., Wed., Thur.). USE MAIL SLOT TO PAY ON SIDE OF BAIT SHOP. BRING YOUR OWN BAIT CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY! Horatio - 18 lbs, 9 oz 3/31/18. Photo courtesy Gallatin Pay Lake. BAIT SHOP OPEN: Fridays Saturdays Sundays ONLY 7:00am To 9:00pm STARTING MARCH 30 Friday, MARCH 31 SATURDAY, APRIL 1 SUNDAY $10.00 per person, children 10 and under fish free on paid parent ticket $2.00 Per LB. to keep fish on Fri, Sat, Sun only! Pickle Jar: Fri, Sat, Sun. OLNY AFTER 9:00pm Catch and Release Only! TILL 7:00am Geary - 5 lbs 9 oz 3/31/18. Photo courtesy Gallatin Pay Lake. Kenneth Brown - 25 lbs 9 oz 3/30/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. 25
PAY LAKE FISHING J.D. - 4 lbs 15 oz 3/31/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Larry Gilmore - 9 lbs 13 oz 3/30/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Derek - 5 lbs 11 oz 3/31/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Tommy Sr - 7 lbs 13 oz 4/13/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Tommy Sr - 9 lbs 10 oz 4/13/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Tommy Sr - 10 lbs 1 oz 4/13/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. 26 Tommy Sr - 9 lbs 2 oz 4/13/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Tommy Sr - 33 lbs 10 oz 4/20/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake. Jeff - 16 lbs 11 oz 4/20/18. Photo Gallatin Pay Lake.
OLD HICKORY LAKE FISHING FOR A CURE 7th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Benefit Bass Tournament Saturday, May 26, 2018 Bull Creek - Old Hickory SL to 2:00 PM 615-417-3977 or 615-452-7719 OLD HICKORY BASS ANGLERS May 12th -Bulls Creek Boat Ramp - SL - 2 PM 615-974-2279 615-686-7214 Front row: Rick Durham, Trey Pursley, and Ross Coffee. Back row: Pat Boggess and Justin Shirley - with some of the pheasants and chukars they got while hunting in West Moreland, TN in March, 2018. Photo courtesy Jim Summers. U.S.A. BASSIN Team Trail May 19 Percy Priest Lake Fate Sanders 5:30 am - 2 pm 615-305-3978 615-202-5367 100% Plus Team Tour Tennessee/Kentucky May 13 Old Hickory Sanders Ferry 256-232-0406 www.teamtrail.com SUMNER/WILSON BASS ANGLERS ASSOCIATION May 6, 12 Bulls Creek SL - 1 PM 615-517-5521 This Magazine Provided To You FREE By The Advertisers Thank Them With YOUR Business! AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS May 5 - Old Hickory Sanders Ferry 256-232-0406 CEDAR CITY BASS ANGLERS May 19 Percy Priest Fate Sanders FISH MORE IN 2018! 27
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