C.M. Gooch WMA

Directions and Description

Site Directions: The site has several access points. Unit A can be easily accessed from U.S. Highway 51 near Trimble, TN by taking the Trimble exit (Highway 105).    Follow Highway 105 east to Trimble, approximately 1 mile, and at the first intersection with a small gas station, make a left on 211. There are dead-end signs and follow the old road 1.8 miles to the entrance on the right.  Highway 211 does not cross the Obion River (going into Obion) as many maps indicate.  Old Turnpike Rd access is east of Trimble.  Follow Highway 89 east for 5 miles to the community of Mason Hall. In Mason Hall, make a left on Old Turnpike Rd and follow north into the forest and over the Obion River. Several side roads can be used to access the area from Old Turnpike Road.  Parking area off 211 in Unit A: Lat: 36.23138°N Long: -89.19454°W

The WMA is open year-round.  Access is free however some hunting/fishing license fees may apply.

Contact Information: Region 1 Office 731-423-5725,  Toll-Free:  800-372-3928, E-mail the office  Area Manager:  Rob Lewis (731) 749-5587 

Site Description: The  Obion county Tenn 7,000 acre WMA contains a diverse mix of bottomland habitats including some beautiful swamp areas. Unit A is the most accessible area with gravel roads through forest and swamp.  Other units are accessible only via boat or hiking through areas without trails.  Access to Unit A goes under a low bridge, so use caution if taking the high ground road under the bridge. The observation platform as indicated on the Unit A map has not been maintained and is not safe for visitors.  When the Obion River is high, the entire WMA is underwater and only accessible via boat. 

The Obion River stage at Gooch WMA is dynamic and may rise or fall feet in a matter of hours.  The Obion River was channelized in the past and the original river channel no longer carries the main flow of the river. Hunters should closely monitor the Obion River USGS river gauge at Obion for water conditions before and during their hunt (https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=obnt1&wfo=meg).

Several river stages should be noted by hunters at Gooch WMA Unit A. All river stages noted below are based on the Obion River gage at Obion.

• At approximately 27 feet, the road under the railroad trestle becomes impassible to vehicle traffic. Vehicles inside of the trestle at this stage may be trapped until the water recedes.
• At approximately 28 feet, hunters should launch their boats in the outer parking lot off of TN211 (Old US 51), work their way through the woods, under the trestle, south following the ditch along the Gooch levee, and drag their boat over the levee just past the B-Dock boat ramp.
• At approximately 31 feet, boats may not be able to get underneath of the railroad trestle. 

The diverse mix of habitats makes this a good site to see a large variety of forest birds. In summer, Summer Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Mississippi Kites, Indigo Bunting, and Green Herons may be found readily. Great Blue Herons occur when water levels are suitable.  Cottonmouths may be seen on the roads. In winter, waterfowl can be abundant.

Regulations

CWD Carcass Transportation Regulations Apply

Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping are the same as statewide seasons, except the area inside the TWRA maintained levee of Unit A and all of Unit E are closed during the waterfowl seasons and are closed to all activities five (5) days before each opening of the duck season occurring in Nov. - Feb.

Quail - Nov. 4, 2023 -  Jan. 15, 2024.

Fall Turkey - Closed.

Spring Turkey - One non-quota hunt: April 12 - May 5, 2025. One male bearded turkey counts towards the statewide bag limit.

Young Sportsman Turkey - Same as statewide season.

Waterfowl - Same as statewide season, except Gooch waterfowl hunting closes at 3 p.m. on Units A and E. Waterfowl hunting on the last day of each segment of the duck and remaining goose seasons closes at sunset.

Fishing, trapping, and hunting of all species other than waterfowl is prohibited inside the TWRA maintained levee of Unit A and all of Unit E during the waterfowl season. On Gooch Unit E, no waterfowl hunters are permitted on the unit or access area from two hours after legal shooting hours have ended until 4 a.m. the following day. Fishing resumes the day after the last military waterfowl hunt.

No permanent blinds. All temporary blinds, blind materials, and boats must be removed from Unit E daily.

Gooch Unit E will be allocated by computer draw. Waterfowl hunting is restricted to temporary blind sites. Hunters are restricted to numbered stakes as specified by special instructions supplied by TWRA annually. Decoys may be left out over the specified hunt but must be removed upon completion of the hunt on the last day. Draw hunts will be opening weekend(s), Monday - Thursday, and Friday-Sunday.