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Fishing at Harpeth River

Tennessee · Cheatham County, Williamson County, Dickson County and Davidson County · 116 river miles in Tennessee
State
Tennessee
Country
USA
Licence
State-issued
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Tennessee River 116 river miles in Tennessee Public river — bank access varies 🌙 Night fishing

About Fishing at Harpeth River

Harpeth River is a public river in Cheatham County, Williamson County, Dickson County and Davidson County, Tennessee, managed by State of Tennessee (public-trust water). It is a public-trust water — you can fish it with a Tennessee licence; bank access is at public river-access points and bridges. Public access confirmed via public-trust river.

A clear Cumberland Plateau reservoir — smallmouth-strong with a walleye run, plus largemouth, crappie and catfish.

It runs roughly 116 miles through the Middle region. Anglers here mostly fish for rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass; walleye, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill are also on record. Neighbouring public land — Cheatham Lake, Cheatham Lock And Dam Recreation Area, Cheatham Lake Wildlife Management Area — opens up bank access away from the main entry points. Live flow and gauge height come from the Harpeth River At Mile 90.5 Near Franklin, Tn USGS station shown below. The nearest other mapped waters on PiscaMaps are South Harpeth River and L.L. Burns Park Pond Creek.

County
Cheatham, Williamson, Dickson, Davidson
Region
Middle
Length (TN)
116 river miles in Tennessee
Public access
Public river — bank access varies
Managed by
State of Tennessee (public-trust water)
Night fishing
Permitted
Boats
Small craft

Fish Species at Harpeth River

Species from TWRA and Tennessee fishery data.

Access & Rules at Harpeth River

Night fishing: No statewide night-fishing closure in Tennessee; a few individual waters have local rules — check the current TWRA regulations for this water.

Boats: Most Tennessee fishing rivers are floated by canoe, kayak or jet-drive; larger craft only on the lower, wider reaches.

Bank & bivvy camping: Bank access is at TWRA river-access areas, bridges and state parks; other banks are private riparian land.

Tackle: Statewide creel and size limits apply; several reservoirs carry a black-bass protected slot — check the current TWRA regs for this water.

Rules verified 2026-09-01 against TWRA regulations. Always confirm the current rules before you fish.

Public Land Around Harpeth River

Source: USGS PAD-US (Protected Areas Database).

Facilities Near Harpeth River

Boat ramps: 2 mapped — Eastern Flank Canoe Ramp, Boat ramp.

Camping: 1 site mapped nearby — Harpeth River Bridge Campground (Tn).

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors.

River Conditions

Loading live flow & gauge height…

Live from USGS gauge 0343233905 — Harpeth River At Mile 90.5 Near Franklin, Tn. Full gauge data →

Fishing Licence for Harpeth River

A Tennessee fishing licence covers all public water in the state. Non-resident annual is around $50; 3-day and 10-day non-resident permits are also sold. TWRA agency lakes need an extra TWRA Lake permit.

Tennessee

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Resident annual: ~$34 Non-resident annual: ~$50 Buy: gooutdoorstennessee.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

More Fishing in Cheatham County

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