What to bring
Tackle for blue catfish
Three picks from the catfish checklist that work for the fish here. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:
The fish
Blue catfish in Tennessee
Blue catfish are the largest fish most Tennessee anglers will ever catch. The state record, 122 lb 3 oz, came from Lake Barkley in 2023. They live in the big rivers and main river reservoirs, especially the Mississippi, the Tennessee and the Cumberland.
How to tell a blue catfish
Blue grey to slate with no spots, a forked tail, and a long, straight edged anal fin. Channel catfish have a rounded anal fin. Also called blue cat, forktail.
Where to catch them
Best blue catfish water in Tennessee
Where blue catfish fishing is strongest. Each page lists every public ramp, pier and bank access on that water, with directions.
Other lakes and rivers with blue catfish
Limits
Tennessee blue catfish limits
Statewide: No limit under 34 in a day, only one over 34 in. These 3 lakes and rivers have their own rules, which replace the statewide limit there.
| Water | Daily limit | Length | Where or when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Hill LakeCatfish | 5 blue/channel combined | 14 in minimum | |
| South Holston LakeCatfish | 20 | Only one over 34 in | |
| Wolf River, Herb Parsons LakeCatfish | 5 blue/channel combined | 16 in minimum | Herb Parsons Lake |
From the 2026–27 Tennessee Fishing Guide (TWRA), in effect 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, checked 25 September 2026. Rules change, so check the guide before you keep a fish.