caney fork fishing regs.

[TNBronzeback]

Hey guys, im in putnam county all week for work and may be able to fish the caney either at the dam or the rest stop. I looked thru the fishing regulations book but some additional clarification would be appreciated as i have mis interpreted the book in the past.
To wet a line in the river, do i need a trout stamp? I know its listed as a trout stream in the book but since its not just trout in there, if i still needed a stamp.
Thanks.

[agelesssone]

I would say no. If you catch a trout while fishing for crappie or bass or walleye, it is just an incidental catch. As long as you release them, no harm, no foul.

[jad2t]

I was told by a TWRA agent one time that if you're "obviously trout fishing" then you need a stamp. That leads me to believe that it depends on the agent who spots you. If he feels like writing a ticket then he's going to deem that you were "obviously trout fishing". I believe the rule is actually that only if you're keeping trout do you need a stamp.

[spottedbass]

The regulations state:

Annual Trout (Type 022) ages 16–64
$18
Type 022 is a supplemental license required to fish for trout

So if you are using typical trout lures and/or corn, powerbait, salmon eggs, etc. It would probably be a hard sale to say you weren't fishing for trout.

[Alphahawk]

The reg states "If in pursuit of trout you need a trout license". That doesn't mean if you keep trout it just means if you are trying to catch them. Some streams in Tennessee have regs that state you must purchase a trout license.....the Caney is currently not one of those streams.....but IMHO it should be. Lets face it.....90 percent of the fish in there are probably trout. The regs really need to be better stated.


Regards

[blink]

Not sure about TN, but in GA, if its designated trout waters, and in season, you have to have a trout stamp, and follow bait/lure/hook regs no matter what you are fishing for.

In the hooch around north atlanta, we fish for shoal bass, but from nov-may its a delayed harvest trout season. single hook only, catch and release, artificial only.

[Travis C.]

It used to be a "possession" deal. Meaning if you catch a trout while not trout fishing get it back in the water asap. Don't hold it up or snap a pic and what not. But it is up to the agent at the time as well.

If you are not being shady about it then there shouldn't be any issues at the least a warning would given to you if he happened upon you catching one by accident and explaining. Most of the agents are pretty forgiving if you are open with them.

[white95v6]

i can tell you everytime I have been checked while fishing a body of water that holds trout in tn. the Agent has asked to see a trout stamp. if I had fish or not.

[TNBronzeback]

Thanks for the responses guys. I think i should probably play it safe and get a stamp judging by the answers. I dont plan on keeping them, but i understand the logic behind fishing trout stocked waters, it would be a hard sale saying im fishing for anything but trout while casting a spoon.
Makes me wonder though, if i travel 100 up the caney from the mouth throwing say a small crankbait for walleyes....would i be breaking the law?
Maybe im overthinking this.

[TNBronzeback]

Yeah travis i have a tendancy to do that! Lol.
Ive got no problem buying a stamp but if i dont have to just to C & R, i just assume keep the $18, especially this late in the year and i dont fish out that way but a few times a year ya know.
Oh well...its just paper right! Lol.
Im gonna head to the dam this afternoon to snoop around.

[thehick176]

They have a 1 day all species now for $10 I believe. Which includes trout. Worth checking out if your only going for the day.

[bfish]

Also keep in mind that your "trout" stamp monies also get distributed to other program areas, most notable warm water streams.

[aero320]

Pay the $18. It keeps you from being cited and the money supports TWRA which is the reason we have such good hunting and fishing here. The last couple of years, I have purchased the Resident Sportsman license so every thing is covered for hunting and fishing.

[Westwindmike]

I wrote the TWRA about this and got this response:

Hello,
I want to fish for Largemouth Bass only on the Caney Fork River, below Center Hill Dam. Am I required to purchase a Trout Stamp even if I do not intend to target Trout or carry any Trout lures? I have been told by the guides on the river that TWRA will write me a citation for not having a Stamp, even if I am not fishing for Trout.

Thank you for your time to answer this.


Reply

"You only need a trout stamp if you are going to keep the trout. If you catch one mistakenly, make you sure you release it unharmed back to the water."

Marie Gunney
Region 2
T.W.R.A.
Marie.Gunney@tn.gov

[TroutFiend]

Interesting, I guess one could take a screenshot with their smart phone and show it to TWRA if the occasion arises.

[Westwindmike]

I have it printed out in case I need it.

[browntrout]

I may look at this different than most. I will give my opinion on this and if I offend you I am sorry. You clearly stated that you will be trout fishing. The stamp helps pay for the trout that are stocked there. I haven't kept a trout in over 20 years but I purchase my trout stamp every year. Give a little to enjoy the resources that are there for you. The burden is easier to bear if everyone that uses the resource helps contribute. I don't want to get into the debate about I pay enough taxes because believe me I pay my fair share and then some. I will come off my soap box now.

Roy.

[TNBronzeback]

I may look at this different than most. I will give my opinion on this and if I offend you I am sorry. You clearly stated that you will be trout fishing. The stamp helps pay for the trout that are stocked there. I haven't kept a trout in over 20 years but I purchase my trout stamp every year. Give a little to enjoy the resources that are there for you. The burden is easier to bear if everyone that uses the resource helps contribute. I don't want to get into the debate about I pay enough taxes because believe me I pay my fair share and then some. I will come off my soap box now.

Roy.

Thanks for the input, i understand what your saying. No offense taken.
However if your refering to my original post, i didnt say i would be targeting trout. I asked if i needed a trout stamp to wet a line in the caney. I fully understand how resources are applied/divided to our fisheries via license fee's for stocking and maintenance and such. They are some great programs. Like i stated earlier, i have no issues buying licenses or permits or stamps if required to. However if determined i dont need 1 buy law, i may not make the purchase. Ive purchased many trout stamps in the past, i have no regrets about buying them then not "trout fishing" for the year. I just dont find myself targeting trout enough during the year the justify spending the money. Im certainly all for donating for our resources though.

[browntrout]

Thanks for the input, i understand what your saying. No offense taken.
However if your refering to my original post, i didnt say i would be targeting trout. I asked if i needed a trout stamp to wet a line in the caney. I fully understand how resources are applied/divided to our fisheries via license fee's for stocking and maintenance and such. They are some great programs. Like i stated earlier, i have no issues buying licenses or permits or stamps if required to. However if determined i dont need 1 buy law, i may not make the purchase. Ive purchased many trout stamps in the past, i have no regrets about buying them then not "trout fishing" for the year. I just dont find myself targeting trout enough during the year the justify spending the money. Im certainly all for donating for our resources though.

It's all good. I just think we need to be the example and when in doubt always err to the safe and right side. Knowing how many people surf this site we just need to be above reproach and be a difference maker when we can.

Roy.

[TNBronzeback]

It's all good. I just think we need to be the example and when in doubt always err to the safe and right side. Knowing how many people surf this site we just need to be above reproach and be a difference maker when we can.

Roy.

I completely agree with ya. Its not worth the risk of getting into any kind of trouble, especially dealing with the federal stamps portion of our outdoor sports.

[Travis C.]

I wrote the TWRA about this and got this response:

Hello,
I want to fish for Largemouth Bass only on the Caney Fork River, below Center Hill Dam. Am I required to purchase a Trout Stamp even if I do not intend to target Trout or carry any Trout lures? I have been told by the guides on the river that TWRA will write me a citation for not having a Stamp, even if I am not fishing for Trout.

Thank you for your time to answer this.


Reply

"You only need a trout stamp if you are going to keep the trout. If you catch one mistakenly, make you sure you release it unharmed back to the water."

Marie Gunney
Region 2
T.W.R.A.
Marie.Gunney@tn.gov


This falls back along the line of what i said earlier about "possession." They must still be using that as a guideline. Its still beneficial for $18 to buy it and you will have the option to fish all of the states trout waters and urban stockings.

[Fishbus]

It's good to hear the positive sentiment spoken here about respecting our resources and chipping in to do out part.

I buy licenses for 4 people every year and we DO trout fish and it DOES cost a small fortune.

As a non-native from the drought stricken state that shall go unnamed here, I really appreciate Tennessee's water and wildlife. We're very fortunate here.

So I'll keep ponying up and cleaning up other's trash along the way. Thanks to y'all for doing same.

Billy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SAMBOLIE]

It's good to hear the positive sentiment spoken here about respecting our resources and chipping in to do out part.

I buy licenses for 4 people every year and we DO trout fish and it DOES cost a small fortune.

As a non-native from the drought stricken state that shall go unnamed here, I really appreciate Tennessee's water and wildlife. We're very fortunate here.

So I'll keep ponying up and cleaning up other's trash along the way. Thanks to y'all for doing same.

Billy
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Billy, has Travis been telling you that we do not have droughts in TN because TWRA uses you license money to buy rain?:)

[Fishbus]

I assumed he was leveling with me.

Bill

Billy, has Travis been telling you that we do not have droughts in TN because TWRA uses you license money to buy rain?:)

[jad2t]

We definitely have droughts here in TN. My striper drought lasted from Jan 26 until this past Saturday. :)

Pics or it didn't happen

[XxthejuicexX]

Is that the one caught on 2lb test?

[Travis C.]

Is that the one caught on 2lb test?

No, I caught that girl on 65lb braid.

[TroutFiend]

Hey, let me see your striper stamp sir!

Great fish

[Travis C.]

hey, let me see your striper stamp sir!

Great fish

lol!

[XxthejuicexX]

Hey, let me see your striper stamp sir!

Great fish

here ya go. Never mind, striper, not stripper.

[ttitan27]

Hey Travis

Wow, really nice fish in your picture. I suppose I will have to do some night fishing for them as well. So on the *&*&&*& at night near the ditch is what you said right?? Did you put in there and float down or fish from the bank there?? Redfin lures or something else?? Me and a few buddies have been wanting to give it a shot so maybe we will see you down there. Thanks for the info.


Just so others will know, My post above was not a legitimate post. It was to demonstrate the fact that sometimes people give out more information than they should. Some fisheries are delicate and others aren't. If you don't want your favorite small water ruined then be careful. Lots of people read the post here without ever registering or posting on this site. Between MidTNKayakAngler and myself, the above post has been edited to remove all pertinent information.

[FloatNFish]

Nice fish, Travis!

Alex

[nomad60]

That's a beauty, Travis.

[TroutFiend]

Wait a minute I just noticed earbuds in the pic? If this guys river fishing, at night, in the fog, and rocking out to AC/DC he is on another level my friends...

[jad2t]

Nice fish man! Last year I swore I'd make it to the Caney late at night and just chase rockfish. Still haven't done it.

[white95v6]

this is dumb. soo I am fishing on JPP. I don't need a fishing license if I don't have any fishing on the stinger/livewell.

I know I do. but you get the point right.

I wrote the TWRA about this and got this response:

Hello,
I want to fish for Largemouth Bass only on the Caney Fork River, below Center Hill Dam. Am I required to purchase a Trout Stamp even if I do not intend to target Trout or carry any Trout lures? I have been told by the guides on the river that TWRA will write me a citation for not having a Stamp, even if I am not fishing for Trout.

Thank you for your time to answer this.


Reply

"You only need a trout stamp if you are going to keep the trout. If you catch one mistakenly, make you sure you release it unharmed back to the water."

Marie Gunney
Region 2
T.W.R.A.
Marie.Gunney@tn.gov

[SalmonDaze]

this is dumb. soo I am fishing on JPP. I don't need a fishing license if I don't have any fishing on the stinger/livewell.

I know I do. but you get the point right.

Not sure I see the dumb part. Pretty much what I expected the answer to be from the start of this thread but glad you took the time to ask TWRA directly.

Need a fishing license to fish and a stamp to keep. That's how it was where I grew up. I'd be surprised if it's any different anywhere. Salt has a few different subtleties (venting, offshore/inshore, etc); but basically same idea.

[jad2t]

here ya go. Never mind, striper, not stripper.

If you roll those up tightly they tend to attract even more strippers since that's what they'll be used for eventually anyway.

[blink]

Not sure I see the dumb part. Pretty much what I expected the answer to be from the start of this thread but glad you took the time to ask TWRA directly.

Need a fishing license to fish and a stamp to keep. That's how it was where I grew up. I'd be surprised if it's any different anywhere. Salt has a few different subtleties (venting, offshore/inshore, etc); but basically same idea.

Definitely different in GA on the Chattahoochee River.
In the delayed harvest section, between Nov & May, its designated trout water, single hook, artificial only, C & R only, one rod only. Must have trout stamp to fish at all, even if you are only fishing for bass (as i mostly do)

The wildlife officers there are extremely strict on this. I have been checked numerous times.

[white95v6]

yea you missed it by a mile.

Not sure I see the dumb part. Pretty much what I expected the answer to be from the start of this thread but glad you took the time to ask TWRA directly.

Need a fishing license to fish and a stamp to keep. That's how it was where I grew up. I'd be surprised if it's any different anywhere. Salt has a few different subtleties (venting, offshore/inshore, etc); but basically same idea.

[white95v6]

and this is what they sent back.


Tennessee Wildlife Officers Association: If you are fishing a trout area with tackle that can target trout you need to have a trout stamp. Just bc you are not keeping them does not mean you don't have to have a license

[TroutFiend]

Did not want to hijack striper license thread so I rehashed this one.
If child is under 13 years of age is a Trout Stamp still required, even though fishing license is not? My 3 boys have lifetime license but daughter does not...

Andy

[Travis C.]

Did not want to hijack striper license thread so I rehashed this one.
If child is under 13 years of age is a Trout Stamp still required, even though fishing license is not? My 3 boys have lifetime license but daughter does not...

Andy

If you are taking a minor who is too young to require a license my understanding is the person with (guardian or adult) has to have all required permits/licenses.

[TroutFiend]

*Bump

Ran into TWRA yesterday wading the Caney. You are correct Travis, as long as adult has proper permits and stamps the minor with them that is unlicensed/un-permitted can catch trout but cannot keep them.

Andy