NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is accepting comments for its 2025-26 fishing regulations. This is an opportunity for the public to share ideas and concerns about fishing regulations with TWRA staff.
TWRA fisheries personnel use a variety of techniques to manage fish populations and gather data about fish population size structure, recruitment, growth, density and mortality. In addition, fisheries personnel work to improve habitat to benefit fish species along with propagating and stocking numerous species of fish to ensure anglers have the best fishing opportunities possible.
TWRA also conducts angler surveys to gain a better understanding of fisheries including effort, catch, preferences, demographics and economics. The information is taken into consideration during the regulation process.
The public comment period is another opportunity for anglers to provide feedback on TWRA’s fisheries management. Public comments will be considered with fishery independent assessments to select the best strategies and regulations to manage Tennessee’s resources while accommodating the widest variety of anglers.
The comment period concerning fishing regulations is open through Monday, Sept. 16. Any proposed fishing regulation changes will be previewed at a meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission in early 2025.
There will be a public comment period on the proposed regulations after the TWRA presentation to the commission. Any approved regulations will go into effect Aug. 1, 2025. To submit your comments, visit https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2024fishingregcomments.
Visit Bays Mountain for free on Aug. 25
KINGSPORT — Entrance to Bays Mountain Park will be free to everyone on Sunday, Aug. 25 thanks to the generosity of the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors.
Go for a leisurely walk around the lake, take a short hike up the mountain, visit with the animals or maybe just sit on a bench, read a book and enjoy the beauty of Bays Mountain.
Park hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The nature center will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day.
The gate fees will be waived for everyone all day on Aug. 25. However, program fees (planetarium show, barge ride) will still be in effect and guests will have to pay those to participate.
Learn more about Bays Mountain Park online at www.baysmountain.com.
Tennessee celebrates 58th state park
THREE WAY — State officials and local conservationists celebrated the opening of Middle Fork Bottoms State Park — the 58th park in the Tennessee State Parks system — on Monday, Aug. 12.
Located about 20 minutes from Jackson, Middle Fork Bottoms is described as a West Tennessee oasis featuring sparkling lakes, a serene river, unique wetlands and sun-soaked grasslands teeming with wildlife. Once used as farmland, the area was revitalized as a floodplain restoration project under the West Tennessee River Basin Authority. The park features multiple wetland areas, five lakes (four of which are fishable), and native grassland habitat. Visitors will also find a newly planted bald cypress grove covering 5 acres, various waterfowl habitats and vast areas of sycamore and cottonwood trees.
The park is located in Madison County at 111 Sanders Bluff Road in Three Way. Learn more at tnstateparks.info/MiddleForkBottoms.
Grandstaff named law enforcement colonel
NASHVILLE — Dale Grandstaff has been named colonel of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He will be responsible for the coordination of TWRA’s statewide law enforcement programs.
A 26-year veteran of the agency, Grandstaff assumed his new role Aug. 4. He will work jointly with the retiring Col. Darren Rider to ensure a smooth transition in leadership during the next month.
“I am excited to start this new role with the agency,” Grandstaff said. “I started my career as a field officer and moved up the ranks over the past 26 years and never thought I would have this opportunity. I look forward to putting all of my experiences into helping the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency continue to provide the best outdoor recreation possible to the citizens of this state and all of those that visit.”
Grandstaff has been serving as a boating and law enforcement lieutenant colonel since November 2021. He began his TWRA career in 1998 as wildlife officer for Sullivan County. Following graduation from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in 1999, Grandstaff transferred to Montgomery County. He spent most of his career as the Montgomery County wildlife officer and was promoted to a sergeant for TWRA District 21 in 2012. Grandstaff was promoted to District 21 captain in 2015 and spent the next six years managing one of the busiest districts in the state.
“I want all of the officers to enjoy the same type of rewarding career that I’ve had, and I want the public to have the same type of great hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor experiences that I have enjoyed throughout my life,” Grandstaff said.
A well-respected leader in the agency and industry, Grandstaff is active in professional organizations and in his community. He currently serves on the University of Tennessee at Martin Academic Advisory Board for the Natural Resources program and has been a member and served as chairman of the Nashville Area Maritime Security Committee in 2020 and 2021. He was also accepted to the National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy in 2017. Grandstaff is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, The Wildlife Society, American Fisheries Society, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the Tennessee Cattleman’s Association.
Rider is retiring at the end of August after a 38-year career with the agency. He has served in his current role since March 2009.
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