Eighteen TWRA managed lakes, located in Middle and West Tennessee, are open year-round. Some of these lakes are operated by private concessionaires under contract and offer complete services for the fishing public. The lakes are open to fishing all week.

Hours: Lakes are open one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except Garrett Lake which is open 24 hours a day. 

Permits: A daily lake permit of $5.00 (available at most lakes), in addition to the regular fishing license, is required to fish most of these lakes. All residents 16 through 64 years of age, except holders of a Sportsman License or Lifetime Sportsman License, and all nonresidents (regardless of age), must have this permit, which is obtainable at the lake office. A $40.00 Annual Lake Permit may also be purchased at the individual lakes, and is good at all TWRA fishing lakes.  A Coy Gaither-Bedford Lake daily lake permit should be purchased from a license agent in the surrounding area before going to the lake.   Resident anglers 65 years of age and older do not need a lake permit but do need a fishing license.  Residents who were born before March 1, 1926 do not need a fishing license.

Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day: The following lakes are closed: Carroll, Gibson Co., Glenn Springs, Herb Parsons, and Lake Graham. 

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all Agency lakes.

Speed boating, water skiing and swimming are prohibited (except in the recreational zone of Gibson County Lake).   Houseboats, sailboats and inboard cruisers are prohibited. On Coy Gaither-Bedford, Marrowbone, VFW, and Williamsport lakes only trolling motors can be used. Boats may be rented for $8.00 per day at some lakes. There is no charge for boat cushions or paddles.

Tackle: Only rods and reels, poles and hand-held lines and jugs may be used.  
- 10 jugs or blocks per boat daily; except that from
April 1 - September 30 jug fishing is not allowed on Saturday, Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
Exception: No jugging allowed on Gibson County Lake. 
- Cast nets, trotlines and limblines are illegal on Agency lakes.

Statewide creel and size limits apply with the following exceptions: 

* Only 1 bass per day greater than the protected length range (PLR).
**Note: Whippoorwill Lake (part of Williamsport Lakes complex) is for juvenile fishing only. Youths 16 and under and an accompanying adult may fish.  Two wetland ponds, Egret and Heron, are closed to fishing.