Governor announces lake enhancement initiative
Gov. Bill Lee and fishing icon Bill Dance have announced a new initiative to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy with the creation of Bill Dance Signature Lakes.
TWRA and the state of Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements both above and below the water at 18 lakes that bear fishing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Tennesseans will benefit from increased stocking, habitat and fisheries management, as well as improved access for fishing and boating.
The collaborative effort among the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of fishing in the Southeast and drive economic activity across the state.
Tennessee is home to a half-million acres of lakes and 1.7 million people who fish, according to the American Sportfishing Association.
Bill Dance Signature Lakes touch 39 counties, including 22 at-risk or economically distressed counties, and is an important step in helping those communities create new revenue streams through increased visitation.
Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact annually, and supports 7,480 jobs across the state.