LivewellTennessee · Hamilton County · Reservoir
Nickajack Reservoir
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Nickajack Reservoir, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
What's safe to eat from Nickajack Reservoir
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Nickajack Reservoir
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Tennessee's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 10" min | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | 15" min | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | 15" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Tennessee — Tennessee TWRA
Getting on the water
- Marion County Campground #1 (Nickajack) boat ramp 0.8 mi Directions
- Marion County Campground #2 (Nickajack) boat ramp 1.0 mi Directions
- Hales Bar Lower (TN River) boat ramp 1.9 mi Directions
- Shellmound Ramp (Nickajack) boat ramp 2.1 mi Directions
- Hales Bar Upper (TN River) boat ramp 2.3 mi Directions
- Macedonia Church (Cole City Creek) boat ramp 2.5 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.