From NewsChannel 9: Fish beware! Dozens of special fishing events will take place in Chattanooga and all across Tennessee Saturday. J
From NewsChannel 9: Fish beware! Dozens of special fishing events will take place in Chattanooga and all across Tennessee Saturday.
June 10 is Tennessee’s 2023 Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day. Anyone of any age can fish without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.
Additionally, youngsters 15 or younger can fish free the entire week, beginning on Free Fishing Day and continuing through the following Friday, June 16.
One of the most popular events in Southeast Tennessee is the Chuck Copeland Memorial Fishing Rodeo in Spring City at Spring City Veteran’s Park, 448 E Jackson Ave, Spring City, Tennessee.
The event was named after Copeland, a well-known area fisheries manager following his death. Copeland considered the annual fishing rodeo in Spring City one of his most important jobs. Like many event, TWRA stocks several thousand pounds of fish for the event.
Other events in the immediate Chattanooga area include the East Ridge Optimist Fishing Rodeo at Dickert Pond beside the Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge and the “Little Chickie” Lakesite Fishing Rodeo at 9308 Thrasher Trail, Lakesite TN, 37379.
Free Fishing Day was named in honor of Bobby Wilson who retired last year after more than 40 years of service to the TWRA. He served in the Fisheries Division for 35 years, before being named TWRA Deputy Director in 2015 and Executive Director in 2020.
Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day and Free Fishing Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities.
Some privately owned pay lakes continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers will need to consult with those operators if there are any questions about a facility.
