Creel and size limits vary, but you can find almost any warmwater species at these destinations. From channel and blue cats, bluegills, Florida-strain largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and both black and white crappie, the opportunities are almost limitless.

In addition, restrooms, concessions, grills and picnic areas, playgrounds, vending machines, bait and tackle, and primitive camping areas abound at many of the family lakes. Again, more than a few of them have "youth-only" fishing areas where only youths 16 and under may fish.

For residents within our borders and for visitors coming in from other states, the best informational site is the TWRA's official Web site at www.tnwildlife.org. You can find the answers to any fishing regulation questions that you have, but more important, it also has links that beginning or vacationing anglers can use.

On the TWRA Web site, there are also sections that include a guide to bank-fishing, a complete list of the mentioned TWRA Family Fishing Lakes and all the Tennessee state park fishing lakes. The TWRA's site also has links to other organizations that can help you get started.

From the agency's Web site, you can also access the "Take Me Fishing" link at www.takemefishing.org. This site lists all the free fishing days for states across the country, and also has a search engine to help you locate fishing spots in urban areas. Tennessee's Free Fishing Day is normally the first or second Saturday in June each year. On that day, all license requirements are waived for that special event.

IN THE TOURIST MODE?
The tourist meccas of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have more to offer than outlet shopping and mountain air. This area of East Tennessee also features great trout fishing, not to mention the smallmouth stream action.

From Pigeon Forge down through Sevierville is where you'll find the Little Pigeon River. This little stream is often as good as the major smallmouth fishing found at more noted rivers like the nearby Pigeon and Nolichucky. It's not overly deep and therefore is suited for wading even by youngsters who are accompanied by adults.

Roostertails, spinnerbaits, grubs and small crankbaits will serve you well and are also easy baits for kids to fish. You'll also get a good laugh looking at the folks sitting in the backed-up summer traffic along Highway 66 on the hottest of summer days as you stand in the cool water catching fish.

On up into Gatlinburg among all the tourist trap shops is where you'll find one of the best trout stocking programs going. The cooler mountain air is even more satisfying when you're walking along the stream looking at and casting to rainbow trout. Of all the millions of people that visit Gatlinburg each season, few of them are aware of the excellent trout fishing within the city's boundaries and as well as outside the city limits.

Gatlinburg is very proud of its very active stocking and breeding program. This program, by the way, does require of anglers who fish in these streams a special licensing permit. Their "Catch-and-Release" program is in effect from Dec. 1 through March 31 every year. Possession of any trout is prohibited. Fishing in Gatlinburg is permitted with single hook only and with no more than one hand-held rod.

In summer months, you can use bait such as corn, bread, minnows, worms, or the PowerBait and similar manufactured trout baits. These are all good options and easy baits for getting kids involved in the action. But the spinner-type baits and small spoons aren't difficult for youngsters to cast and retrieve either. Plus, the extra flash provided by the blade or spoon often yields more strikes.