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WMA · East Tennessee
Fort Loudoun WMA
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages this 492-acre wildlife management area in Knox County.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Getting to Fort Loudoun WMA
Parking, trailheads and gates near Fort Loudoun WMA
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- West Campus Parking Garage (G7)Parking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Fort Loudoun WMA overview
TVA-owned land and the public waters of Fort Loudoun Reservoir between Tennessee River miles 638.5 and 649.5, as posted, in Knox County. The TWRA hunting guide lists it at 492 acres.
How this area is hunted: No WMA permit required (TWRA guide code NP). Waterfowl only, statewide season dates but open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 30 minutes before sunrise until noon, with BBB or smaller shot; closed to dog training.
Fort Loudoun WMA is open for waterfowl under its listing. The main county is Knox County, which sits in deer Unit 5.
Read the official Fort Loudoun WMA listing for its map, current dates and any permits.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Fort Loudoun WMA
Seasons and limits at Fort Loudoun WMA
The game listed for this area, with 2026-27 statewide dates and the county rules that apply.
Waterfowl
Statewide 2026-27 dates run Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Deer bag, Unit 5
Antlerless limits: Young Sportsman 2 total over its four days, archery 4, muzzleloader plus straight-wall week 2, gun 2, and none in the August hunt. Moving to another county in the unit does not raise the limit. Antlered limit is 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
Wearing orange
Fluorescent orange or pink, 500 square inches on the head and upper body, is required for big game except in archery-only and turkey seasons.
Statewide dates and limits from the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 28, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
What you can hunt in Fort Loudoun WMA right now
For bear, Knox County counts as zone Transitional. Deer baiting on private land in Knox County needs the bait license.
- Deer
- Turkey
- Ducks
- Waterfowl
- Canada goose
- White-fronted goose
- Brant
- Light geese
- Dove
- Woodcock
- Snipe
- Rails (virginia, sora)
- Gallinule and moorhen
- Crow
- Squirrel
- Rabbit
- Quail
- Grouse
- RaccoonYear-round
- Opossum
- CoyoteYear-round
- Bobcat
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
Map of Fort Loudoun WMA and nearby public land
Fort Loudoun WMA shows as the orange marker, placed at its approximate center from the TWRA hunting map. In gold are the other public areas no more than about 70 miles away. Nearest towns: Knoxville (3 mi), Maryville (13 mi), Clinton (15 mi).
Oak Ridge WMA
Around 17 miles as the crow flies, over in Anderson County and Roane County. 37,000 acres.
Where to process, mount and resupply near Fort Loudoun WMA
Drawn from Knox County plus the next counties over.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Recent deer harvest near Fort Loudoun WMA
Numbers are for each county as a whole rather than this tract. Knox County ranks #42 of 95 counties for reported deer harvest.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox County | 1,555 | 1,512 | 1,669 | #42 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Fort Loudoun WMA questions
Where is Fort Loudoun WMA?
Fort Loudoun WMA is in Knox County, in TWRA's East Tennessee region. The agency page shows the map and where to get in.
Is a WMA permit required on Fort Loudoun WMA?
Yes, if you are 16 to 64: a WMA permit or an annual sportsman license, plus the hunting licenses for your game. Some areas and federal refuges require more.
What is huntable at Fort Loudoun WMA?
Listed game: waterfowl. Expect area dates that can trim the statewide seasons.
Is there a draw for hunting Fort Loudoun WMA?
No quota hunts are on the books for this area this year, but the listing can change.
What is the size of Fort Loudoun WMA?
About 492 acres, according to the managing agency.
Do CWD rules apply on Fort Loudoun WMA?
No. For 2026-27, Knox County is neither CWD-positive nor in the Management Zone.
What are the deer limits on Fort Loudoun WMA?
It follows Unit 5, the deer unit for Knox County. The antlerless bag here is set per season: 4 in archery, 2 in muzzleloader and straight-wall week, 2 in gun, 2 total for Young Sportsman, and 0 in the August hunt. Limits do not reset when you hunt another county in the same unit.
Which processors are close to Fort Loudoun WMA?
Try Broken Wing Meat Processing, Adam's Taxidermy & Processing and Coldwater Farms. Call ahead, since many work only in season.
Where else can I hunt near Fort Loudoun WMA?
Closest public areas by straight line: Forks of the River WMA (about 6 miles), Whites Mill Refuge (about 14 miles) and Oak Ridge WMA (about 17 miles).
How soon do I have to check in my deer?
Use the TWRA On The Go app, the online system or a check station. The deadline is midnight on the harvest day, and it must happen before the animal crosses the state line.
Planning a trip to Fort Loudoun WMA
Area rules and limits are revised each year, so confirm them in the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing.