Tennessee – The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted on the 2025-26 Sport Fish and Commercial Fishing proclamations at its February meeting, which concluded Friday at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Ray Bell Building.

The Commission approved the Sport Fish proclamation as previewed at the January TFWC meeting and during committee meetings on Thursday. The new regulations address bass identification issues related to the introduction of Alabama Bass and their hybridization with native Tennessee bass. Smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass will now fall under the same regulations for each reservoir to reduce confusion over hybrid identification.

The Commission also amended the Sport Fish proclamation by reducing the daily creel limit for crappie from 30 to 20 on Reelfoot Lake. Changes were approved for several TWRA agency lakes to better manage sport fish species. The smallmouth regulation on Tellico River was adjusted to statewide regulations. These changes will take effect on Aug. 1, 2025.

For commercial fishing, the Commission amended a proposal to increase the mesh size for gillnets used in paddlefish harvest. In the 2025-26 season, commercial fishermen will be allowed six nets of 7 inches and six of 6 inches, with a full transition to 7 inches for all 12 nets starting Aug. 1, 2026. Additionally, the paddlefish season for Kentucky Lake will end on March 31, and the commercial license purchase date will change to July 1.

The meeting also marked the final session for five commissioners who completed their appointments: Chairman Jimmy Granbery, Wally Childress, Bill Cox, Tommy Woods, and Hank Wright. They were honored for their years of service.

The Commission elected new officers for the 2025-26 term. Chris Devaney is the new chairman, moving up from vice chairman, Greg Davenport is the new vice chairman, and Rhonda Moody is the new secretary.