Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency created its Family Fishing Lakes program to encourage old-fashioned family fun in quiet, natural settings. Ten of the 18 lakes in the program are in western Tennessee and offer everything you and your family need for a perfect outing.

For example, inboard motors (translation: annoying personal watercraft), other recreational boating, skiing and swimming (with one exception) are banned, and alcohol is strictly prohibited. On these special lakes, you'll find good boat ramps, playgrounds and restrooms, picnic tables and bank-fishing areas and well-marked fish attractors in the water. You'll also have excellent chances of hooking up with plenty of the most family-friendly of fishes --blue and channel catfish.

And the best news is that those cooperative cats run in a wide range of sizes to suit your interests: They may fit your frying pan -- or outweigh your kids.

Generally, Family Fishing Lakes are open year 'round from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Concessionaires on most of them operate bait and tackle stores, rent boats and provide all the other expected goods and services -- from fishing licenses and lake permits to snacks for hungry kids -- from March 1 through Nov. 1. Anglers who are 16 to 64 years old must have a $5 daily permit (or $40 annual permit) in addition to a valid fishing license on eight of the lakes we cover here. The special permits aren't required for anglers who are under 13 or who hold lifetime or annual sportsman licenses; those 65 and older need only a permanent senior citizen license.

Officials consider most of these lakes as no-wake zones, and individual fisheries may have special regulations, facilities or operating dates. As we review them in geographic order from north to south, you'll find telephone numbers for the appropriate lake concessionaire or TWRA regional office for follow-up questions and details.

And now, with the rules and regulations out of the way, it's time for the fun stuff -- a review of all 10 Family Fishing Lakes in western Tennessee.

GARRETT LAKE
This 183-acre lake in eastern Weakley County benefits from the TWRA's annual fertilization program, which promotes the growth of algae and zooplankton at the bottom of the food chain on up to bragging-sized catfish at the top of the chain, according to Dave Gabbard, the agency's Region 1 wildlife information coordinator. The lake lies east of Dresden, where you can reach it by taking State Highway 190 off State Highway 54 and following the signs.

A $60,000 renovation in 1997 added the handicapped-accessible fishing pier, second boat ramp on the southeastern shore (locals prefer it over the older one on the northwestern side) and other family-friendly amenities, such as a dock and picnic area. Garrett is the only Family Fishing Lake that's open around the clock, and no lake permits are required. However, remember to pick up your bait and supplies on the way because there's no concessionaire here. Gabbard recommends turkey liver for Garrett's channel and blue catfish.

CARROLL LAKE
"This is a great lake for catfishing," said Connie Hensley, enthusiastic manager of the Carroll Lake concession store. "I caught a huge catfish on a jug -- I'd guess it was 40 pounds -- and the average-sized catfish that people catch here on a daily basis can be up to 9 or 10 pounds!"