Montgomery Bell Fishing
Notification Alert

Some Trails Closed

Montgomery Bell State Park

Portions of the Montgomery Bell and Creech Hollow Trails will be closed for visitor safety beginning 3/2/26 due to a timber salvage project as a result of the November storms that brought down thousands of trees. We anticipate reopening the closed portions in May 2026.

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact the park office.

  • Calm lake reflecting autumn trees and cloudy sky.
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    Two people fishing by a lake, surrounded by trees and grass, on a sunny day.

    Fishing at Montgomery Bell

    Montgomery Bell State Park features several beautiful fishing locations.

    Twenty-six-acre Lake Acorn and 17.5-acre Creech Hollow Lake offer bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass among others.  

    Fifty-acre Lake Woodhaven is currently closed as part of a joint effort to renew the lake and improve fishing conditions.

    Featured Fish

    • Largemouth Bass
    • Channel Catfish
    • Bluegill
    • Black Bass
    • Crappie
    • Redear

    Limits and Restrictions

    • Black Bass

      All Black bass caught must be immediately released unharmed.  

    • Largemouth Bass

      There is a slot limit on largemouth bass, no bass under 15 inches, or 18 - 22 inches may be harvested and only one bass over 22 inches may harvested per day.  

    • Crappie

      No size limit on crappie and creel limit is 30.  

    • Channel Catfish

      Channel catfish must be at least 14 inches and creel limit is 5.  

    • Bluegill and Redear

      There are no size or creel limits on bluegill and shell cracker (redear).  

    • Lake Acorn

      The same restrictions for crappie, channel catfish, bluegill and shell cracker apply to 26-acre Lake Acorn with the following restriction: largemouth bass 15 inch limit.  

    • Creech Hollow Lake

      The same fish restrictions as stated for Lake Acorn apply to 17.5-acre Creech Hollow Lake. 

    • Fishing License

    Tennessee Fishing License

    All individuals age 13 and older must have a fishing license to fish in Tennessee.

    There are a variety of fishing licenses available for residents and non-residents, including a junior license for residents ages 13 - 15.   

     Licenses are granted by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and may be obtained in person at sporting goods stores, county clerks, hardware store,s and boat docks or online.

    Purchase Online Now

    Discover More at Montgomery Bell

    Visit the Gift Shops

      • Small wooden building surrounded by trees, with signs and a vending window.

      The Camp Store 

      The park’s camp store is your best spot for finding gear, snacks, and accessories to make your camping experience exceptional. The camp store is your go-to destination for ice cream, ingredients for S'mores, and of course a lighter! 

      Hours: Open seasonal hours

      • souvenirs placed and lit up on a shelf

      Visitor Center Gift Shop

      The Visitor Center Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.   

      Address:
      1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns TN, 37029
      1-615-797-9052

      Hours: 
      Monday - Saturday
      8:00 AM to 4:00 PM 
      Closed Sunday

    No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.

    Find More Events

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