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.