Tennessee Angler Recognition Program

The Tennessee Angler Recognition Program (TARP) gives anglers an opportunity to have their trophy fish recognized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).   Anglers of any age, who catch any of the qualifying fish species and lengths may apply.  See the "Qualifying Species and Length Chart".

The TWRA Fisheries Management Division sends those accomplished anglers certificates featuring color reproductions of fish artwork by renowned wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri. You can view and purchase Tomelleri's artwork by visiting his website at http://www.americanfishes.com/

The program is designed to acknowledge anglers for outstanding sport fishing accomplishments, encourage catch-and-release of trophy-size fish, and provide the TWRA with information on large fish caught throughout the state.

TARP should not be confused with the Tennessee State Record Fish program that recognizes anglers who catch a new Tennessee State Record Fish (largest fish recorded, by weight, for that species in the state.) Instead, TARP recognizes anglers who catch trophy-size fish, by length, that are not necessarily state records. If you believe your catch exceeds the current state record for that species, you should immediately contact a TWRA Fisheries Biologist for positive identification of the fish and the appropriate application. 

How TARP Works


TARP features six levels of angler recognition!

  1. Trophy Fish Certificate: Anglers submitting one (1) of any of the 27 qualifying fish species, that meets or exceeds the minimum "trophy" length requirements (see chart below), receive a Trophy Fish Certificate, depicting the species.  *$5.00 processing fee.
  2. Master Angler I: Anglers submitting five (5) trophy-size fish species, in any combination, receive a Master Angler Level I certificate and patch at no cost.  
  3. Master Angler level II: Anglers submitting five (5) different trophy-size fish, receive a Master Angler level II certificate and patch at no cost. 
  4. Master Angler III: Anglers submitting ten (10) different trophy-size fish, receive a Master Angler III level certificate, patch, at no cost.  In addition anglers will receive a gift card courtesy of Bass Pro Shops Kodak, Tennessee.
  5.  Master Angler IV: Anglers submitting fifteen (15) different trophy-size fish, receive a Master Angler IV certificate, patch, and a trophy at no cost.
  6. Master Angler V: Anglers submitting twenty (20) different trophy-size fish, receive a Master Angler V certificate, patch, and engraved plaque at no cost..

See All the Certificate and Patch Examples below

Master Angler Certificate Example

Qualify and Apply


How Do You Qualify?

  • The fish must meet or exceed the minimum lengths listed in the table on this page (Qualifying Species and Length)
  • Persons 13 years of age or older must be licensed anglers and must provide their license number (TWRA#) on the application.
  • The fish must be caught legally (in accordance with Tennessee Sportfishing Regulations) in Tennessee waters, by sportfishing methods only (rod and reel or cane pole).
  • The length of the fish must be verified by either a witness or a photograph. The witness must complete the section on the application and/or the photo must be of the fish lying flat on top of or beside a flat measuring rule or tape and included with the application.  Photographs of the angler holding their catch may be used in TWRA publications, including the Agency's website.  Note that a picture of the fish may be requested/required for any submitted application at the discretion of TWRA.

How Do You Apply

  • A Trophy Fish Application can be downloaded here or by contacting the TWRA Fisheries Management Division at 1-615-781-6575.
  • Complete one (1) application for each fish you are registering. You may include more than one (1) application form per envelope.
  • If the fish length is being verified by photo, the picture must be enclosed with the application
  • Application(s) must be mailed within 90 days from the date of catch.
  • For each Trophy Fish application, a $5.00 processing fee, must be enclosed with the application(s), make check(s) or money order(s) payable to TWRA, and mail, with the application(s), to the address on the application. The processing fee is non-refundable for non-qualifying applications.
Leonard Smith, 11.25” Bluegill - Lake Dartmoor
Leonard Smith, 11.25” Bluegill - Lake Dartmoor

Qualifying  Species and Minimum Length 

Species Minimum Length (inches)
Largemouth Bass 22
Spotted Bass 18
Smallmouth Bass 20
Striped Bass 40
Cherokee Bass (Hybrid Striped Bass) 28
White Bass 18
Yellow Bass   11
Crappie (Black or White) 14
Bluegill 10
Redear Sunfish 11
Rock Bass 10
Sauger 20
Walleye 28
Yellow Perch 11
Muskellunge 40
Brook Trout 10
Brown Trout 26
Rainbow Trout 24
Lake Trout 28
Channel Catfish 28
Blue Catfish 36
Flathead Catfish 36
Common Carp 34
Freshwater Drum 28
Bowfin  26
Longnose Gar   45

Summary of TARP Entries


SPECIES QUALIFYING LENGTH (inches) TOTAL SUBMITTED LARGEST (inches) WATERBODY COUNTY
BLACK CRAPPIE 14 589 19.75 MELTON HILL KNOX
BLUE CATFISH 36 939 61.00 NICKAJACK MARION
BLUEGILL 10 262 14.25 CENTER HILL DeKALB
BOWFIN 26 6 30.00 W.C. JOHNSON PARK LAKE SHELBY
BROOK TROUT 10 502 19.00 OBEY RIVER CLAY
BROWN TROUT 26 207 35.00 S. F. HOLSTON RIVER SULLIVAN
CHANNEL CATFISH 28 132 44.25 BARKLEY RESERVIOR STEWART
CHEROKEE BASS 28 116 38.75 FT. LOUDOUN RESERVOIR BLOUNT
COMMON CARP 34 154 51.25 PRIVATE LAKE WASHINGTON
FLATHEAD CATFISH 36 322 60.00 BARKLEY RESERVIOR MONTGOMERY
FRESHWATER DRUM 28 268 39.00 GUNTERSVILLE MARION
      39.00 NICKAJACK HAMILTON
      39.00 NORRIS CAMPBELL
LAKE TROUT 28 51 34.75 WATAUGA LAKE CARTER
LARGEMOUTH BASS 22 772 29.00 PRIVATE LAKE HAYWOOD
      29.00 LAKE SHERWOOD CUMBERLAND
      29.00 PARKSVILLE  LAKE POLK
LONGNOSE GAR 45 26 59.50 NICKAJACK  RESERVOIR HAMILTON
MUSKELLUNGE 40 117 53.40 MELTON HILL ANDERSON
RAINBOW TROUT 24 127 34.50 WATAUGA RIVER CARTER
REDEAR SUNFISH 11 476 14.50 CENTER HILL DeKALB
      14.50 OCOEE LAKE POLK
ROCK BASS 10 288 14.50 DUCK RIVER BEDFORD
SAUGER 20 68 24.50 PARKSVILLE RESERVOIR POLK
SMALLMOUTH BASS 20 1443 28.00 CHEROKEE JEFFERSON
SPOTTED BASS 18 164 23.25 PARKSVILLE  POLK
STRIPED BASS 40 412 51.00 CANEY FORK RIVER SMITH
WALLEYE 28 80 34.00 CORDELL HULL JACKSON
WHITE BASS 18 70 24.00 MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHELBY
WHITE CRAPPIE 14 954 18.75 CHICKAMAUGA HAMILTON
YELLLOW BASS 11 62 15.00 KENTUCKY RESERVIOR HARDIN
YELLOW PERCH 11 233 16.00 (3) CHILHOWEE LAKE BLOUNT/MONROE

TARP Certificates & Patches


Downloadable TARP List

Complete List of TARP Entries     

Awarded Certificates

Master Angler I    Master Angler II    Master Angler III    Master Angler IV  Master Angler V

Master Angler I

Anglers submitting five (5) fish species in any combination.

Master Angler 1 Certificate

Master Angler I certificate

Master Angler 1  Patch

Master Angler I patch  

Downloadable TARP List

Complete List of TARP Entries     

Awarded Certificates

Master Angler I    Master Angler II    Master Angler III    Master Angler IV  Master Angler V

Master Angler II

Anglers submitting five (5) different fish species

Master Angler 2 Certificate

Master Angler II certificate 

Master Angler 2 patch

Master Angler II patch

Downloadable TARP List

Complete List of TARP Entries     

Awarded Certificates

Master Angler I    Master Angler II    Master Angler III    Master Angler IV  Master Angler V

Master Angler III

The Master Angler III level will be awarded to anglers submitting ten different trophy species. 

Master Angler 3 Certificate

Master Angler III certificate  

Master Angler III patch  

Downloadable TARP List

Complete List of TARP Entries     

Awarded Certificates

Master Angler I    Master Angler II    Master Angler III    Master Angler IV  Master Angler V

Master Angler IV

The Master Angler IV level will be awarded to anglers submitting fifteen different trophy species.  

Master Angler IV Certificate

Master Angler IV certificate  

Master Angler IV  Patch

Master Angler IV patch  

Downloadable TARP List

Complete List of TARP Entries     

Awarded Certificates

Master Angler I    Master Angler II    Master Angler III    Master Angler IV  Master Angler V

Master Angler  V

Master Angler V level will be awarded to anglers submitting twenty different trophy fish.

Master Angler V Certificate

Master Angler V Patch

Master Angler V Plaque

Downloadable TARP List

Complete List of TARP Entries     

Awarded Certificates

Master Angler I    Master Angler II    Master Angler III    Master Angler IV  Master Angler V


Email sign up link

TARP Photo Gallery

James Hartsock, 22” Smallmouth Bass - Holston River
James Hartsock, 22” Smallmouth Bass - Holston River
Leonard Smith, 11.25” Bluegill - Lake Dartmoor
Leonard Smith, 11.25” Bluegill - Lake Dartmoor
Kamron Whistle, 21.5” Smallmouth Bass - Dale Hollow Reservoir
Kamron Whistle, 21.5” Smallmouth Bass - Dale Hollow Reservoir
Robert Farrell, 43” Blue Catfish - Chickamauga Reservoir
Jensyn Jones, 45” Longnose Gar - Duck River
Jordynn Jones, 11.25” Rock Bass - Duck River
John Wells, 19.5” White Bass - Dale Hollow Reservoir
Ezekiel Timbs, 10.5” Bluegill - Private Pond
Ezekiel Timbs, 10.5” Bluegill - Private Pond
Brody Foster, 20.50” Smallmouth Bass - Pigeon River
Brody Foster, 20.50” Smallmouth Bass - Pigeon River
Lee Lewis, 26” Brown Trout- South Holston River
Lee Lewis, 26” Brown Trout- South Holston River
Ezekiel Timbs, 28” Brown Trout - South Holston River
Ezekiel Timbs, 28” Brown Trout - South Holston River
Logan Vance, 26” Brown Trout - South Holston River
Logan Vance, 26” Brown Trout - South Holston River
William Brock Jr., 29” Freshwater Drum - Nickajack Reservoir
William Brock Jr., 29” Freshwater Drum - Nickajack Reservoir
Daniel Lindbom, 14” Black Crappie - Cherokee Reservoir
Alan C. Collette, 28.5” Bowfin - Swan Lake (Haywood Co.)
Leo Chen, 15.25” White Crappie - Tellico Reservoir
Rick Dempsey, 28” Rainbow Trout - Ft Patrick Henry Reservoir
Christopher Dunbar, 41.5’ Striped Bass – Chickamauga Reservoir
Scott Guthrie, 27” Rainbow Trout - Ft. Patrick Henry Reservoir
Nick Plummer, 10” Rock Bass - Cheatham Reservoir
Lauren Coleman, 12.5” Redear Sunfish - Chickamauga Reservoir
George Duncan Jr., 27.50” Brown Trout - Boone Reservoir
Tyler Collins, 20.25” Smallmouth Bass – W. Prong Little Pigeon River
Ethan Cavin, 14.25” White Crappie - Percy Priest Reservoir
Ashlynn Baxter, 14.25” Black Crappie - Laurel Hill Lake
Scott Guthrie, 28” Cherokee Bass - Ft. Patrick Henry Reservoir
Clyde Timbs Jr., 40.25” Muskellunge - Little Emory River
Clyde Timbs Jr., 40.25” Muskellunge - Little Emory River
James Shupe, 26.25” Largemouth Bass - Ft. Patrick Henry Reservoir
Todd Witenmyer, 20” Smallmouth Bass - Dale Hollow Reservoir
Cecil Seaton, 12” Yellow Bass - Watts Bar Reservoir
Scott Lowry, 41” Striped Bass - Boone Reservoir
Jeff Starnes, 31.25” Walleye - South Holston River
Elora Landes, 11.5” Yellow Bass - Percy Priest Reservoir
Nicholas Plummer, 22” Smallmouth Bass - Old Hickory Reservoir
Nicholas Plummer, 22” Smallmouth Bass - Old Hickory Reservoir
Dylan Hodges, 30” Freshwater Drum – Melton Hill Reservoir
Dylan Hodges, 30” Freshwater Drum – Melton Hill Reservoir
James Shupe, 29.25” Brown Trout – South Fork Holston River
Benjamen Hedley, 36” Flathead Catfish – Clinch River
Bret Alsobrooks, 43” Blue Catfish - Chickamauga Reservoir
Son Tran, 21.25” Sauger – Cordell Hull Reservoir
Jason Weyland, 15” White Crappie - Chickamauga Reservoir
Benjamin Hadley, 38” Blue Catfish - Ft. Loudoun Reservoir
James Shupe, 46.25” Striped Bass - Boone Reservoir
Dylan Hodges, 42” Blue Catfish - Nickajack Reservoir
Doug Jackson, 28.25” Walleye – Old Hickory Reservoir
Paul Thompson, 20” Smallmouth Bass, Chilhowee Reservoir
Louie Godsey, 13” Redear Sunfish - Norris Reservoir
Caleb Betts, 42” Flathead Catfish - Ft. Loudoun Reservoir

Attention Anglers, Do NOT Move Bass!


The movement and illegal stocking of Alabama Bass outside their native range has caused serious issues for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass fisheries across the southeast. It has been well documented that Alabama Bass prey on, hybridize with, and out compete other bass species for habitat and food resources. High hybridization rates between species will eventually result in a population without any genetically pure Smallmouth Bass. Once this occurs it can never be reversed and results in the loss of those species and the decline in the quality of that fishery.

Alabama Bass and their hybrids have been found in numerous Tennessee reservoirs. TWRA has documented the displacement of Largemouth Bass in Parksville Reservoir, one of the first sites Alabama Bass were documented outside their range in Tennessee, and hybridization with Smallmouth Bass has been documented in Watts Bar, Ft. Loudoun, and Tellico reservoirs. By all accounts, if Alabama Bass are introduced into Tennessee’s best bass fisheries, we stand to lose bass fishing as we know it. Do Not Move Alabama Bass!

In order to be successful at stopping the spread of Alabama Bass, the responsibility lies among those who transport live fish away from the water where they are caught. In most instances, those fish are used as food, but in some cases might be released into other water bodies. Always remember that it is illegal to intentionally release live fish into any public water in Tennessee away from which they were harvested.

Alabama Bass are very difficult to distinguish from Spotted Bass; observations of illegal stocking should be reported to your local TWRA Regional Office (listed below).

West Tennessee (Region 1)

200 Lowell Thomas Dr.
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-5725

Middle Tennessee (Region 2)

Ellington Agricultural Center
5107 Edmondson Pike
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 781-6622

Cumberland Plateau (Region 3)

464 Industrial Blvd.
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-9571

East Tennessee (Region 4)

3030 Wildlife Way
Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-7037