Local News

Tim’s Ford to become a Bill Dance Signature Lake

January 25, 2022January 25, 2022
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Tims Ford Lake will soon get upgrades and improvements aimed at increasing fishing tourism in the area as part of the Bill Dance Signature Lake Initiative. (Graphic Courtesy of the TN Department of Tourism)

LOCAL NEWS — Did you know that America’s “most-loved” angler, Bill Dance, is a native of Lynchburg? Before he became the host of Bill Dance Outdoors and an author … well, he learned to fish right here on the Mulberry Creek. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) recently announced that they will invest $15 million in improvements both above and below the water at Tims Ford Lake in Dance’s former backyard and 18 other state lakes as part of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes Initiative.

Tennesseans will benefit from increased stocking, habitat and fisheries management, as well as improved access for fishing and boating. The collaborative effort between TWRA, 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 half-a-million acres of lakes and 1.7 million people who fish, according to the American Sportfishing Association. Bill Dance Signature Lakes will 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.

Bill Dance often posts this picture of himself as a toddler next to the old Jack Daniel’s statue in the Holler on his social media. That’s because Dance is a native of Lynchburg who learned to fish right here on the Mulberry Creek. (Photo Courtesy of Bill Dance)

“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will benefit so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” said Bill Dance. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will definitely have a ripple effect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend fisherman, but tournament anglers a wonderful fishery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”

Bill Dance Signature Lakes includes nine large reservoirs with a proven track record for quality fishing for a variety of fish. In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, reservoirs will receive new or upgraded best-in-class ramps to improve public access for both recreational and tournament anglers. Each of the 18 lakes will see such above-water upgrades as courtesy docks, ample parking, additional access points, fishing piers and signage, to name a few. Several smaller lakes, many of which are located within Tennessee State Parks, will be managed intensively by TWRA for Bill Dance approved family fishing with regular stockings to ensure the best chance for success.

Each lake was selected by agency partners and Bill Dance for its ability to be a destination fishing location and provide quality fishing fun for avid anglers as well as families.  Endorsed by Bill Dance Outdoors, projects are slated to begin in 2022 and near completion by fall of 2024.

In addition to Tims Ford Lake and Tims Ford State Park, the Bill Dance Signature Lakes at launch are as follows:

  • 1000 Acre Lake, Huntington, TN (Carroll County)
  • Brown’s Creek Lake, Natchez Trace (Henderson County)
  • Chickamauga Lake, Harrison Bay State Park & Chester Frost Park (Hamilton, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn and Bradley Counties)
  • Dale Hollow Lake, North Central TN (Clay, Pickett, Fentress and Overton Counties)
  • Douglas Lake, East TN (Jefferson, Sevier and Cocke Counties)
  • Fall Creek Falls Lake, Fall Creek Falls State Park (Van Buren County)
  • Herb Parsons Lake (Fayette County)
  • Kentucky Lake, Paris Landing State Park (Henry, Stewart, Houston, Benton, Decatur, Perry and Humphreys Counties)
  • Lake Acorn, Montgomery Bell State Park (Dickson County)
  • Lake Woodhaven, Montgomery Bell State Park (Dickson County)
  • Norris Lake, Northeast TN (Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Union Counties)
  • Old Hickory Lake, Middle TN (Sumner and Davidson Counties)
  • Pickwick Lake, Pickwick Landing State Park (Hardin County)
  • Pin Oak Lake, Natchez Trace State Park (Henderson County)
  • Reelfoot Lake, Reelfoot Lake State Park (Lake and Obion Counties)
  • Tim’s Ford Lake, Tim’s Ford State Park (Franklin and Moore Counties)
  • Travis McNatt Lake, Big Hill Pond State Park (McNairy County)
  • Watauga Lake, Northeast TN (Johnson and Carter Counties)

To learn more, visit the Bill Dance Signature Lake page on the Tennessee Department of Tourism website. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}

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