Type: River
County: Sullivan County
Near: Bristol, TN
Rainbow Trout
StandardBoat rampParking
View stocking schedule →Fish stocking schedule
Tennessee fish stocking schedule 2026.
- Year-Round
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Tennessee's stocking program centers on the cold tailwaters below TVA dams — South Holston, Watauga, Caney Fork, and Clinch — which receive year-round trout stockings. TWRA also operates major reservoir striped bass and walleye programs.
Official source
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Stocking Report
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency publishes the authoritative Tennessee stocking schedule — Weekly updates in Posted list format. For this week's actual stocking locations, dates, and volumes, view the official report directly.
This page summarizes the Tennessee stocking program for planning purposes. The agency report is the authoritative source — verify before any trip.
Primary stocked species
In Tennessee.
Typical stocking pattern by species. Heavy fill marks primary stocking months; moderate fill marks possible stocking. Verify exact dates against the official report.
- Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykissTypical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
- Brown TroutSalmo truttaTypical size: 9–14 inch catchable; trophy fish 18–24 inches
- Brook TroutSalvelinus fontinalisTypical size: 8–11 inch catchable
- Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatusTypical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
- Striped Bass (Landlocked)Morone saxatilisTypical size: 1–2 inch fingerling
- WalleyeSander vitreusTypical size: 1–2 inch fry; 2–4 inch fingerling
Top stocked waterbodies
In Tennessee.
South Holston RiverStocking Now Watauga RiverStocking Now Type: RiverCounty: Carter CountyNear: Elizabethton, TNRainbow TroutStandardBoat rampParkingView stocking schedule →Caney Fork RiverStocking Now Type: RiverCounty: DeKalb County, Smith CountyNear: Smithville, TNRainbow TroutBrown TroutStandardBoat rampParkingView stocking schedule →Clinch RiverStocking Now Type: RiverCounty: Anderson CountyNear: Norris, TNRainbow TroutTrophyBoat rampParkingView stocking schedule →
Tennessee counties with stocked waters
Notable Tennessee programs
- Trout Trophy Stream Program
- South Holston Trophy Section
- Tailwater Year-Round Stocking
- Reservoir Striped Bass
State hatchery system
Tennessee operates 5 state-run fish hatcheries supporting the stocking program.
Tennessee urban fishing program
Tennessee maintains a designated urban fishing program — typically frequent stockings of catfish, trout, and panfish in city ponds and lakes. These programs are designed to make fishing accessible to families and first-time anglers.
Tennessee urban fishing program details →Weekly stocking alerts for Tennessee.
Bield Fish reads Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's stocking reports and alerts you when your saved waters are stocked. Set your county once and you'll know the day fish hit your home river.
Start free trial →Hatch calendars for Tennessee trout rivers