TWRA Free Kids Fishing Events
Tennessee’s 2020 Free Fishing Day will go on as scheduled. The day is set for Saturday, June 6 when anyone may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the annual free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows anyone 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.
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.
Here a few locations planned to be stocked for this weekend.
Region 1 – West Tennessee: Shelby Farms, Fort Pillow State Park, Martin City Park, Henderson County Park (next to Sheriff’s Office), Oakland City Park, McKenzie City Park, and any excess fish will go into TWRA Family Fishing lakes in West TN.
Region 2 – Middle Tennessee: Travis Park in Springfield, Marrowbone Lake, Laurel Hill Lake Kid’s fishing pond, VFW Lake, Percy Priest WMA pond, Bedford Lake, Buckner Park in Dickson, Kingston Springs park, Liberty Park in Clarksville, Murfreesboro Ag Extension pond, East Fork Stones River in Woodbury, Shellcracker Lake (Williamsport), Whipoorwhill Lake (Williamsport), New Lake, Westmoreland City Lake, Shelby Park Lake, Blue Cat Lake (Williamsport), Veteran’s Park Lake in Fairview
Region 3 – Plateau/Valley: Dickert Pond at Camp Jordan-East Ridge, Grundy Lakes-Grundy SP, Kimball Pond-Kimball, Bridgestone/Firestone Lake-Bridgestone/Firestone WMA, Barren Fork Reservoir-McMinnville, Pea Ridge WMA Lake-Pea Ridge WMA, Cane Creek Park Lake-Cookeville, Kelly Lake-Standing Stone SP, Dillon Pond-Livingston, Athens Rec Park Lake-Athens, Byrd Lake-Cumberland Mtn SP, Kefauver Lake-Madisonville, Indian Boundary Lake-Cherokee National Forest
Region 4 – East Tennessee: Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City, Carter County Workforce Development Pond in Elizabethton, Pat Brown’s Goose Pond in Erwin, Allen Branch Pond (Cherokee National Forest) near Newport, Concord Park in Knoxville, Fountain City Lake in Knoxville, Indian Mountain State Park in Jellico.