The Tennessee Valley has more than 1,000 square miles of water surface and 11,000 miles of public shoreline across the Tennessee Valley. TVA protects a million acres of public land to support wildlife, outdoor recreation and water quality. A wide range of recreation opportunities is available on the lakes of East Tennessee. Recreation activities include picnicking boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, nature study, photograph, and hunting. Facilities to accommodate these activities are managed by national, state and local agencies.
Private interests operate commercial boat docks and resorts.
Many reservoirs have one or more trails for backpacking, hiking, jogging, and bicycling, as well as quiet paths for restful walking and nature study. Fishing is permitted all year in TVA lakes. Best catches are generally reported in the spring and late fall. Each state sets it's own creel limits and establishes its license requirements. Fishing and hunting licenses are issued by each state and are sold at many boat docks.