February 2019 FREE! 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 These young girls display some very nice crappies caught on Watts Bar Lake. Wintertime fishing can offer some satisfying fishing for crappie, sauger, walleye and smallmouth bass. Just bundle up warmly and get out and enjoy the uncrowded lakes of Tennessee in the winter season - it s fun! Photo courtesy Watts Bar Bait & Tackle Hwy 68, Decatur, TN 423-334-4286 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 TWRA Launches New Smartphone App with Enhanced Features NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is launching a new smartphone app, TWRA on the Go, with enhanced features to make it easier to hunt, fish, boat, and enjoy wildlife. We are always looking for ways to make it more convenient for those who enjoy the outdoors, said Michael May, TWRA Assistant Director. The new app makes it easy to go paperless and report your deer or turkey harvest with or without cell service. 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 Android users can install the new app through Google Play. IPhone users may go through the regular Apple Store. Users will have the ability to access a copy of their current license, store multiple licenses on one phone, buy licenses, check deer or turkey with or without cell phone service, see harvest data, access Tennessee rules and regulations, use geolocating tools to enhance the recreational experience, and determine sunrise/sunset times based on GPS location. * Groceries * Deli - Take-Out * Pizza * 100% Gas - no ethanol * Live Bait * Worms * Beer * Ice * Lottery * Propane * Minnows Users will continue to have the opportunity to use features from the previous app. The Stay Connected Page provides easy access to TWRA s newsroom and social media. There is also an interactive map to find TWRA wildlife management areas (WMAs), physical check station locations, and duck blind locations. The Hunter s Backpack is where hunter education courses, a summary of hunting seasons, and full versions of the agency hunting guides are available. For anglers, Fisherman s Tacklebox includes, fish identification, interactive maps to find boat ramp and fish access information, fish attractor locations, trout stocking locations, and trout stocking schedules. On the app s boating page, the Boating Locker includes boat regulations, safety checklists, boating education information, navigational aids, and recommended boating equipment. For wildlife watchers, there is information about where to view wildlife across the state. - TWRA - 3
WATTS BAR LAKE * Fishing Equipment * Tackle * Live Bait * Open Mon - Sat 423-365-2266 290 Whites Creek Road Spring City, TN 37381 Support Our Advertisers With YOUR Business! John Henry with a trophy smallmouth caught 12/26/18. Photo courtesy Jerry s Bait Shop. 4 Gary Ratliff & Doug Solomon with fine catch of spots. Photo courtesy The Bait Box.
WATTS BAR LAKE 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 Annual Photo Contest Underway for Tennessee Wildlife Magazine Calendar NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is now accepting entries for its 2019-20 photo contest for publication in Tennessee Wildlife s annual calendar issue. All interested photographers are invited to submit up to 10 of their best photos on fishing, hunting, boating, and wildlife species native to Tennessee. The photos will be reviewed for publication in the annual calendar edition of Tennessee Wildlife, which is the summer issue. If a photo is selected for the calendar edition, the photographer will receive a cash stipend of $60. 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 Photographers must submit their photo entries by the March 20, 2019 deadline. Photos must be horizontal (landscape), in JPEG format, and submitted on a CD. They must be sized to print no smaller that 8-1/2x11 and resolution should be at least 300 pixels/inch. Photographers must be sure to provide their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address with their disk. Disks cannot be returned. Entries may be mailed to: Tennessee Wildlife Calendar Issue P.O. Box 40747 Nashville, TN 37204 (Con t on p. 7) Rick, formerly of Illinois now Tennessee, with a nice winter crappie. Photo courtesy Barry s Guide Service. 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 TWRA Supplies Commercial Fishermen With Gillnets Through the New ACHIP Incentive Program NASHVILLE --- As part of a larger concerted effort by multiple state and federal agencies in the Ohio River Basin, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has developed an Asian Carp Harvest Incentive Program (ACHIP). As part of the new ACHIP program and while supplies last, commercial fisherman enrolled in ACHIP shall receive a one-time distribution of 15 TWRA-supplied gillnets from a contracted Wholesale Fish Dealer. A subsequent offering of TWRA-supplied gillnets will be distributed to commercial fisherman enrolled in ACHIP who harvest no less than 60,000 pounds in a 6-month period. Capt. Barry and his brother Hoss came up with a great winter catch. Photo Barry s Guide Service. The ACHIP program was implemented on Sept. 18, 2018 and already through the month (Con t on p. 9) 6
HIWASSEE / OCOEE RIVERS Potential Expansion of CWD Zone as TWRA Continues to Find CWD Positive Deer NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced the total number of deer testing positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) has climbed to 91 in Fayette and Hardeman counties. Three additional deer, if confirmed by secondary testing, would expand the CWD Zone. Two of the deer receiving secondary testing are from Hardeman and Fayette counties and if confirmed, would bring Chester and Shelby counties into the CWD Management Zone due to the proximity to those counties. The remaining deer is from Madison County, and if confirmed, the location of that deer would add Madison and Haywood County to the zone. (See map for details). Although Madison, Chester, Shelby, and Haywood counties are currently outside TWRA s CWD Management Zone, CWD Coordinator Chuck Yoest, does not anticipate any changes to hunting regulations there for the remainder of the current 2018-19 deer hunting season. Changing the regulations now would be premature as we are getting new information daily, Yoest said. Once all the results have come back from our recent CWD sampling efforts, and all positive deer have been mapped, we will then develop a long term management plan including changes to hunting regulations. I imagine some people perceive the increased total of positives and the potential of expansion of the zone as an indication the disease is rapidly growing, Yoest continued. It is instead due to TWRA s swift and focused sampling efforts in the affected area and being transparent and timely about the results as they are received. TWRA, with assistance from hunters, has collected more than 2,000 samples in the CWD Management Zone and surrounding counties since CWD was first detected on Dec. 14 in Fayette and Hardeman counties. The Agency is still awaiting results on approximately 800 samples, and anticipates collecting a couple hundred more samples during the last week of the extended hunting season in the CWD Management Zone. (See CWD Status Map on page 22 this issue) ( Photo Contest con t from p. 5) Tennessee Wildlife is the official magazine for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Subscription rates are $10 for a year, $17 for two years and $25 for three years. ---TWRA--- ---TWRA--- 7
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO Photos this page: Take your pick: both big stripers and big catfish taken below Ft. Loudon Dam. Photos courtesy FISH ON! Guided Tours. EAST TENNESSEE DUCK HUNTERS CAPSIZE BOAT ON LAST DAY OF SEASON Three duck hunters are fortunate to be alive after capsizing their boat on the frigid waters of the French Broad River on the last day off Tennessee s duck season. Sometime before daylight this morning, three duck hunters launched their boat off of Kodak Road and headed downstream to hunt a slough behind Huckleberry Island. As they turned to enter the slough, the bow of the boat caught a low hanging branch causing it to capsize and sending the men into the turbulent, frigid waters. One hunter was wearing a life jacket and was able to swim to shore while the other two climbed on top of the capsized boat and called for help. 8 (Con t on p.13)
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO Fishing Supplies - Custom Lures - Live Bait - Hunting Supplies Licenses - Checking Station - Hardware - Gas - Convenient Mart OPEN 7 DAYS Freddie Casto got this awesome buck in Blount County 12/28/18. Photo F. Casto. ( TWRA Supplies Gillnets con t from p. 6) of November has reimbursed ACHIP contracted wholesale fish dealers for 262,333 pounds of Asian carp ---TWRA--- 9
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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. Bottom photo: guide Capt. Chadwick Ferrell, and happy clients (above photo) with big stripers below Ft. Loudon - Photos FISH ON! Guided Tours. 11
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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 Dock operator Dave Lemon taking a little time to get in some striper fishing. Photo courtesy Gilmore Dock. Gary Mitchell - two days of hard fishng pays off. Photo courtesy Gilmore Dock. Ron Paterson enjoys some Cherokee Lake striper fishing. Photo courtesy Gilmore Dock. ( Capsized Boat...con t from p.8) With an air temperature of about 28 and water temperatures in the 30s, getting out of the water as quickly as possible was paramount. Members of the Knox County Rescue Squad used a boat to rescue the men from the water a couple of miles downriver near Thorngrove Pike and John Sevier Hwy. Although cold and wet, the men were evaluated on scene and released. Because one man was wearing a life jacket and the other men were able to climb aboard the capsized boat, their actions probably saved their lives today, says TWRA Sgt. Roy Smith. (Con t on p.14) 13
CHEROKEE LAKE Gary Mitchell with a nice wintertime Cherokee striper. Photo courtesy Gilmore Dock. ( Capsized Boat...con t from p.13) Three TWRA officers retrieved the overturned boat and towed it back to the shore. Sergeant Smith also says that they were able to retrieve two shotguns that had been placed inside floating gun cases. TWRA reminds hunters and fishermen to always wear a life jacket 14 (Con t on p.19) Photos above: Ron Paterson got in on the stripoer action. Photos courtesy Gilmore Dock.
CHEROKEE LAKE Fish More This Year Photos above: Gary Mitchell got in a couple of days of good crappie fishing. Photos courtesy Gilmore Dock. Photos above: Gilmore Dock operator Dave Lemon with some good winter striper catches. Photos Gilmore Dock. 15
NORRIS LAKE Buffalo Ridge Refuge Set to Hold Second Young Sportsman Squirrel Hunt Event, Saturday, February 16 NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will hold the second Young Sportsman Squirrel Hunt at Buffalo Ridge Refuge in Humphreys County on Saturday, Feb. 16. There is no cost to participate in the hunt for youth ages 6-16. Buffalo Ridge Refuge is also the site of youth deer, Becoming An Outdoors-Woman, trapping education, and Wounded Soldier events. The hunt will be limited to 30 participants. Breakfast and lunch will also be furnished. The day will begin with breakfast and mandatory safety talk at 6 a.m. The hunt starts at 7 a.m. and lunch will be available at noon. Registration forms are available on the TWRA website. Interested hunters may complete an application and mail it to the following address: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Attn: Donald Hosse P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204 or by FAX: (615) 781-6543 16 Gary Shears with a 3-pointer checked in at Judy s Grocery. Photo courtesy Judy s Grocery. For more information, contact Donald Hosse, TWRA Wildlife Education Program Coordinator at (615) 781-6541. ---TWRA---
NORRIS LAKE 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 TWRA Launches New Smartphone App with Enhanced Features See story on page 3 this issue 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 17
WATAUGA / S. HOLSTON / BOONE Lawrence County Squirrel Hunt The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency hosts youth events all across the state each year. A popular hunt in the middle Tennessee area is the annual Lawrence County Youth Squirrel Hunt, which will be held on February 16, 2019 at the Gum Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg. A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided by volunteers. Check-in for the hunt begins at 5:30 a.m. Hunters will be grouped with dog handlers and guides before heading to the different hunt locations. All activities conclude back at the church at noon. Hunters must register prior to the day of the hunt. Those attending are to have passed a Hunter Education class and have appropriate licenses where required. To 18 Kevin Griggs with a good catch of smallmouths on South Holston Lake. Photo K. Griggs. (Con t on p.19)
WATAUGA / S. HOLSTON / BOONE 6th Ånnual Icy Guide Tournament Trail 2/9/19 - South Holston 421 ramp 8am - 3 pm $40 entry fee 100% Payback ( Capsized Boat...con t from p.14) while on the water and if your boat capsizes, climb on top of it for the best chance of survival. Goose hunting season remains open until February 10, 2019 and a youth waterfowl hunting season is open on February 2 and February 9, 2019. #tnwildlife Loudon Co. Wildlife Officer Anthony Chitwood sent this photo of Knoxville angler Kyle Eady with a nice stringer of walleye below Ft. Loudoun dam. Go Fish!#tnwildlife ( Squirrel Hunt con t from p. 18) register for the hunt contact Jeff Hummel by phone at (615)339-8687. - TWRA - Kevin Griggs got this bass on cold day fishing Boone Lake. Photo K. Griggs. 19
PERCY PRIEST LAKE For more info visit: www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406 or Tourn. Mgr. (256) 230-5633 20 WWW.TNFHG.COM Download this magazine in full color!
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: Several smallmouth are being caught on tailspinners and shad whiel fishing secondary points in 25-35 feet of water. Largemouth Bass: A few largemouth are being caught on a-rigs while fishing channel banks in the creeks in 15 feet of water. Crappie: A few crappie are being caught on minnows around sunken brush near East Port in 15 feet of water. (tnfishingreport.com) Horse Creek Dock & Resort 703 Horse Creek Dock Road, Celina, TN 38551 931-243-2125 * COTTAGES * BOAT RENTALS * FISHING SUPPLIES * BAIT * ICE - GROCERIES Tennessee hunters harvested a record 759 black bears in 2018 breaking the previous record of 589 set in 2011. TWRA Black Bear Program Leader Dan Gibbs points to a growing black bear population, a sparse acorn crop and good weather to account for the record season. Photo - #tnwildlife 21
CENTER HILL LAKE ABA COUPLES CENTRAL TENN DISTRICT 3 TOURNAMENT SERIES MARCH 17, 2019 - OLD HICKORY - FLIPPERS - 6 AM - 3 PM Entry fee is $100.00 per couple and $10.00 each for Men & Ladies BIG FISH Must be active member in the ABA to participate in ABA Couples All couples must be 1 male and 1 female to participate For info contact: Roger Lovvorn 615-904-5425 or Deanna Lovvorn 615-542-0248 ABATNCOUPLES@OUTLOOK.COM RESOLVED: TO MAKE TIME TO FISH MORE IN 2019! 22
OLD HICKORY LAKE 2019 Sunday Morning Bulls Creek Bass Tournament - 1st event 2/24/19 info 615-388-1971 0r 615-308-4023 American Bass Anglers Tenn Central Division 2/23/19 - Percy Priest - Fate Sanders info 256-232-0406 0r 256-230-5633 Kendall Cutrell, Caden Cutrell along with their dad Carl Kutrell killed these ducks while hunting in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Photo courtesy Jim Summers. Old Hickory Percy Priest Bass Tournament 2/23/19 Old Hickory - Shute s Branch - SL - 2pm info 615-349-6358 ALL TOURNAMENTS HELD AT BULLS CREEK BOAT RAMP Director Reed Durham (615) 974-2279 Assistant Director Chris Durham (615) 0=927-7709 Ist Tournament March 9th - 7am - 3 pm 23
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