JEFFERSON CITY, TN (WOKI) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will kick off its winter trout stocking program this week, featuring a new location at Mossy Creek in Jefferson City. Four traditional East Tennessee stocking locations will also be stocked just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, giving families a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy Tennessee’s natural resources.
For the first time since the 1980s, TWRA will stock Rainbow Trout into Mossy Creek, a tributary of Cherokee Reservoir. TWRA plans to stock 300 Rainbow Trout, raised at Buffalo Springs Hatchery, into Mossy Creek once each month in November, December, and January. Fish will be stocked on the Carson-Newman University campus section of the creek behind the baseball stadium. Access points include Walnut Avenue and Brookline Court.
The Jefferson County Tourism Department, Mossy Creek Outdoor Collective, Carson-Newman University, and the City of Jefferson City have partnered with TWRA to bring this project to life. “This project brings an exciting new opportunity for our community and visitors to enjoy the outdoors this winter,” said Skylar Hamilton, Tourism Operations Coordinator for Jefferson County. “We’re genuinely thrilled to have trout fishing this accessible in Jefferson County, giving everyone a fun, convenient way to get outside and experience what makes our area so special.”
Other winter trout stocking locations in TWRA Region 4 include Pistol Creek/Greenbelt Lake (Maryville), Fountain City Lake (Knoxville), Ralph Stout Park Pond (Mountain City), and Oneida City Park (Oneida). Winter trout stockings will continue as normal from December through February across the state.
Stocking dates are subject to change. Check the schedule for updates at tnwildlife.org under the “Trout Fishing & Stockings” section. These stocking events offer ideal opportunities for families to get outdoors during the winter holidays.
A fishing license and trout stamp are required; a sportsman’s license includes the trout stamp. Children under 13 do not need a license. Refer to the Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide for regulations. Some winter trout locations have a daily creel limit of five trout, while others allow a limit of seven. The following locations have a daily limit of five trout: Pistol Creek/Greenbelt Lake, Fountain City Lake, Cameron Brown Park Pond, Cedar Hill Pond, and Jack Dickert Pond.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
