The Reel Thing: Winter trout stocking season is here

Last week, the TWRA officially kicked off the 2025-26 winter trout stocking program in East Tennessee. The program, which truly spans from Memphis (Shelby Farms) to Mountain City (Ralph Stout Park Pond), sees over 70,000 trout introduced into different bodies of water throughout the state. Early last week, the TWRA had its first stocking of the season. Ralph Stout Park Pound was one of the locations, and the lone one in the Tri-Cities. Elsewhere in what the TWRA classifies as Region IV (most of East Tennessee), Pistol Creek/Greenbelt Lake in Maryville, Fountain City Lake in Knoxville, and Mossy Creek in Jefferson City all received trout. Mossy Creek is a new addition for this season. These locations will all be restocked from Dec. 17-19, starting with Mossy Creek, and again Jan. 5-16. The January restocking will also include Oneida City Park. Across the state, many of the stocking locations are around walking trails, parks and pavilions, allowing for easy access for families and new anglers. The trout average 10 inches in length, and there is a daily limit of seven except for in specific locations. In Region IV, that includes Fountain City Lake and Pistol Creek/Greenbelt Lake, where the daily limit is just five. Despite their being a quantity limit, there is no size limit in the stocked trout caught. Anglers need both their traditional fishing license, as well as a trout license, to go after these stocked trout. Specific locations and stocking dates are still subject to change by the TWRA. If you have a story you'd like to share, a fishing event upcoming, or an update on your local waterways, feel free to reach out to Andrew Smith at asmith@sixriversmedia.com.