Tennessee · USA
Cherokee Lake
- Region
- Tennessee, USA
- Regulation zone
- Tennessee statewide regulations
Species in Cherokee Lake
- Threadfin Shad
Gizzard Shad
Alewife
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Striped Bass- Cherokee Bass
Black Crappie
Walleye
Saugeye
Sauger
Paddlefish
White Bass
Bluegill
Rock Bass
Redear Sunfish
Tap a species for Bump Board's full tactics guide.
Seasons & limits — Tennessee statewide regulations
| Species | Season | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie (all species) | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 15 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit. Region 1 exception: 30 per day, no minimum length limit unless otherwise noted for specific waters | — |
| Rock Bass or Redeye and Shadow Bass | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 20 per day, no minimum length limit | — |
| Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 2 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit | — |
| White Bass | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 15 per day, no minimum length limit | — |
| Sauger or Sauger/Walleye hybrids | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 10 per day, 15 inch minimum length limit | — |
| Walleye | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 5 per day, 16 inch minimum length limit | — |
| Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker) | Year-round unless otherwise noted | 20 per day, no minimum length limit | — |
| Paddlefish | April 24-May 31 only | 2 per day, no size limit; culling prohibited. Exceptions apply on Center Hill, Cherokee and Watts Bar reservoirs | — |
| Yellow Bass, Bluegill, Warmouth, Bream, Bullheads, Pickerel, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and nongame species | Year-round unless otherwise noted | No creel or length limit | — |
Always confirm regulations with the official state regulations before fishing — rules change, and waterbody-specific exceptions apply.
Waterbody-specific rules
- Largemouth/smallmouth bass: 5 per day in combination; largemouth bass 15 inch minimum; smallmouth bass Jun 1-Oct 15: 1 per day, 18 inch minimum; Oct 16-May 31: 5 per day, 15 inch minimum; spotted/Alabama bass 15 per day, no length limit
- Crappie: 15 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum
- Striped bass or hybrid striped bass: 2 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum
- Walleye/sauger/saugeye: 10 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum
- Paddlefish: 1 per day, no length limit, season April 1-15 only, culling prohibited
- Jul 1-Sep 15: closed fishing zone for boats near Cherokee Dam (bank fishing and southeast-shore coves remain open)
- Catfish: no creel limit at 34 inches or less; only 1 over 34 inches per day
More Tennessee lakes
Species: Tennessee state fisheries lake records, via the Bump Board dataset.