Tennessee Free Fishing Day Planned Despite Some Event Cancellations

Anyone may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters on Tennessee Free Fishing Day 2020.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the annual free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. Tennessee Free Fishing Day will be held Saturday, June 6, 2020. The day allows anyone (resident or nonresident) the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport, especially children to celebrate fishing as a wholesome and healthy recreational option. In addition, children ages 15 and younger may fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 12).

This year’s Free Fishing Day will be held under unusual circumstances. Due to the coronavirus pandemic many events have been cancelled, including all TWRA-hosted events. Check TWRA’s youth fishing website for a complete list of events and cancellations. Despite having the organized events cancelled, TWRA will still stock these locations with catfish before Saturday and encourages families to go fishing at a safe distance. 

 “We regret that our personnel will not be able to attend or host the fishing events that we all enjoy, but safety is our top priority,” said Frank Fiss, TWRA Fisheries chief. “Despite this, we have continued the stocking process and hope families can go and enjoy the day.”

The day and week are annual events in Tennessee and are great opportunities to introduce children to the enjoyment and excitement of a day on the water catching fish. The TWRA annually stocks several thousand pounds of catfish for Free Fishing Day.

Region 4 waterways stocked with catfish include:

• Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City, Johnson County
• Carter County Workforce Development Pond in Elizabethton, Carter County
• Pat Brown’s Goose Pond in Erwin, Unicoi County
• Allen Branch Pond (Cherokee National Forest) near Newport, Cocke County
• Concord Park in Knoxville, Knox County
• Fountain City Lake in Knoxville, Knox County
• Indian Mountain State Park in Jellico, Campbell County
• Alcoa Duck Pond in Blount County

Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes and ponds continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers will need to consult with those operators if there are any questions about a facility.

Photo: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency/Facebook