NOTE - The TWRA wants to build a comprehensive report each week of the state’s lakes. If you do not see a report for your favorite lake and you are someone who can provide a report, please contact us at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov and provide us with your contact information.
See more community fishing reports across all of Tennessee in the Fishbrain app! Click here to download: https://join.fishbrain.com/tennessee
Boone Reservoir - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor – Richard Markland, Region 4 Fisheries Technician
Reservoir Conditions- Reservoir elevation is 1381.51. The water temperature is 7* degrees. Water clarity 5-10’ visibility.
Bass- Fair- Largemouth, Spots and are being caught mostly on Jigs and soft plastic finesse baits (worms, creature baits) in deeper water on rocky banks and bluffs. Early morning has been good on topwater baits. Pop- R, Wakebaits, Buzzbaits
Crappie- No Report
Trout- No Report
Striped Bass/Hybrid Bass- Fishing is Good. Most of the fish are being caught Davis Dock upstream to Bluff City area on Holston side and Sonny's Marina area up to Knob Creek area trolling spoons and Shad.
Center Hill – 6-5-24
Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.
Reservoir Conditions-
Center Hill Dam is generating, on average, 2,400 cfs per day. The reservoir elevation has been sitting at 646’. Surface water temperatures have cooled from the high 70s to the mid-to-low 70s. The coolest water temperatures to be found are near Rock Island, which is in the 60s. Water clarity is clear from Four Seasons Marina to the dam, 9-12’ visibility. Farther up the river you run, the more turbid the visibility gets, 3-5’. The conditions have seemed to finally stabilize, and fish are starting to be caught in their usual summer patterns.
Bass- Fishing is slow. Bass can be caught around main lake banks with shade lines in 12-20 FOW with finesse baits like ned rigs, Texas rigs, or drop-shots. Bass can also be caught deep around humps, points, and flats that has brush, rock or other structure.
Sunfish- Fishing is slow. Sunfish can be caught around shaded banks with flooded trees. There is still sunfish bedding in the backs of creeks or on gravel banks.
Catfish- Fishing is slow. Anglers are targeting flathead catfish with live bluegill suspended off the bottom near channel swings in creek arms. 15-25 FOW.
Chickamauga Reservoir May 16th – May 19th 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was warm and sunny throughout the weekend with storms blowing in Saturday evening. The water temps throughout the lake are still climbing with water temperatures in the main river being much cooler than creeks/inlets due to amount of current. Visibility in creeks is also much lower than the main river channel. The water levels are now to normal full pool; the latest depth I recorded is below. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
- Tennessee River (Lower Section): 75.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Hiwassee River: 75.7 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
- Tennessee River (River Channel): 3 feet
- Hiwassee River: 2 feet
- Creeks/Inlets: 2 feet
Water Level: 682.2 feet
Water Flow: (as of May 19th)
- Watts Bar Dam: ~ 25306 cfs
- Chickamauga Dam: ~ 26741 cfs
- Ocoee #1 Dam: ~2708 cfs
- Apalachia Dam: ~2845 cfs
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Anglers seemed to get more bites fishing humps/ledges off of main river and creek channels. Shad colored baits seem to be the most utilized of anglers surveyed. Many anglers are also finding success on lay downs and flats throwing spinner baits, chatter baits and also finesse techniques (Wacky, Texas, and Drop shot).
Catfish: Fishing is fair. Using live/cut bait on river channel below dam in current. Anglers using jugs for fishing seem to be most successful.
White Bass: Fishing is good. Fishing same flats/ledges as Black bass species throwing small crank baits.
Walleye: Fishing is slow. In the upper portion of Hiwassee River, anglers are finding bites trolling crank baits in river channel.
Chickamauga - 5-30-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is Full! The big worm bite is strong with the Jig right with it. Water temperature is in the high 70s. Offshore bite is great with the scope and a big plug also a football jig and 4 inch shad. As always on the Bar the wood is good! The grass bite seems to be getting better with a Swim Jig and Swimming Worm.
Douglas Lake 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Fishing is great right now on Douglas lake. The weather is nice, the water temps are still cool ……. And with that the bite is somewhat different than years past.
The schools of offshore bass that Douglas is known for are just not out there “deep” yet. But the bite is still very good. I’m have a lot of success fishing the shallower areas that serve as stop offs between the spawning areas and the summer haunts. These places include flats with ditches, main channel bushes that are close to deep water, and also the docks on the main channel.
My baits of choice are Carolina rig, Neko rig, also a spinner bait and football jig.
Don’t worry, the water will warm and the schools will be in 35’ before you know it.
Hope this helps,
To book a trip with me go to https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.killerbassbaits.com__;!!PRtDf9A!uW9yt4gD5yOE72IytOkNBpJlGuAb54EfVBbksruYmQLe5n6VFGCUwoLYwN9BbioJ0MXvlQDLC-ONMQHPEYRskHjHI3flQ-M$ and click on the guide service tab, or you can give me a call or email. Thanks.
God Bless!
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 6-3-24
Forecast Contributor- Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
River Conditions –Water clarity – clear. 24 hour 2 generation during weekdays
Water temps – 57-62 degrees
Fishing is excellent! Blue wings and sulphurs are hatching in the afternoons. Nymphs, streamers and large attractor dries are producing before the hatches.
Kentucky Lake 6-6-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKE LEVELS BACK TO NORMAL…MAY HATCHES UNDERWAY
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene had returned to normal in terms of lake levels and overall weather patterns this week. It has been a wild ride the previous two or three weeks. Presently, the reservoir is back to near normal summer pool level. Readings were showing an elevation of 359.2 at Kentucky Dam as this report was updated. Surface temps have warmed to the 79 to 81 degree range. Water color is clearing in backwater bays but still dingy in the main Tennessee River channel.
Mayfly hatches were underway this week as massive swarms of flies could be seen along river islands and main lake shorelines. Several mayflies were also showing up in the upper end of Big Sandy. That can stimulate the bite for both bass and bluegill around shallow weed beds, low overhanging trees and around steep banks.
Not many old techniques such as using a fly rod and popping bug are seen out there anymore but tossing ultralight spinning tackle with slip-bobbers and boats armed with wax worms or crickets is deadly. So is casting a small Rooster Tail around the shorelines where flies are present. Anglers can tie into a lot of different species during the peak of a mayfly hatch. Look for big hatches to continue for another month or more. Several bluegill were still lingering around some late bedding areas where anglers were tying into decent numbers in 3 feet of water or less.
Catfish are still hanging around some shallow shorelines too as bluegill fishermen continue to hook into them on a regular basis. The shallow bushes and weeds are full of small shad fry that have hatched out the last week or two so there is an abundance of forage that lures them to shallow structure. At the same time the bite has resumed somewhat for boaters moving out and working the main river channel areas. Watch for the bite to hold up for several more weeks as the summer catfish bite is dependent on some current out there to stir up the schools of shad. Baits of choice are nightcrawlers, big minnows, cut bait, chicken livers and a host of commercial baits that work well too.
Post spawn crappie hare biting pretty good as they fall back to mid-range depths of 9 to 15 feet. June can be a good month to find and catch crappie. The fish resume their affinity for structure so brush piles and stake beds are holding them. Both live minnows and various jig color combinations are producing.
Bass fishermen are finding pretty good action around shallow weeds and buck bushes, not to mention blown down trees that are attracting big schools of pin minnows. Quite a few schools of pin (shad fry) minnows are gathering around any shoreline cover or island rims and that draws the bass. Find the schooling minnows and you’ll find the bass. Casting gold willow leaf spinner baits, Texas rigged worms and assorted topwater is working well.
Kentucky Lake’s ledge bite has improved as anglers tossing big deep diving crank baits are back out there pounding away, covering a lot of water in an attempt to locate some schooling fish. Big Texas rigged worms in the green pumpkin pepper, black/blue and red shad color variations are a few popular color choices. Carolina rigged worms plus swim baits and hopping a jig and craw combo have paid dividends as well.
With the return of normal lake levels and weather patterns comes a good early summer fishing pattern with much more predictability on the whereabouts of all species.
Nickajack Lake - 6-5-24
Forecast Contributor Ethan Castle – Whitwell High School Bass Team
Fishing has been really good lately. Water temps have been in the low 80s. Most of my fish have beencoming out deep in 15-20 feet of water. I have been throwing a big crank bait with chartreuseand blue back, or a green pumpkin football jig for the tougher days. You can also throw a 5 inch Scottsboro swim bait at them and catch some bigger ones. Fishing grass clumps have been producing big ones as well, mainly around 8-12 feet of water. throwing a white or greenpumpkin chatter bait has been the main bait, andfor the tougher days you can throw a zoom ol monster in plum or junebug color and catch them.
Norris Lake - 4-30-24
Forecast Contributor Paul Shaw – TWRA Creel Clerk
Water conditions are clear throughout the reservoir with the exception of creeks stained by locally heavy rainfall events.
Water temperature: 65 degrees, surface, in the channels with some protected creeks approaching 70 on sunny days.
Water elevation: 1,014.4 feet above sea level. Steady with minor fluctuations.
Smallmouth bass are in the middle of a spawn, with some already having spawned out. They’re being caught on the moderately sloped banks where whiter-colored gravel is seen; 5 to 15 feet deep (bottom depth). Post spawn fish are moving to deeper water on the bluffs and broken rock banks. Those anglers fishing for walleye with plugs or shad/alewife cast to the banks at night are getting more smallmouth than walleye.
Largemouth bass are pre-spawn with a few exceptions (fish don’t read our “rules”). Early mornings are seeing some good top water action on buzz baits, jerk baits, and top water plugs. Crank baits and assorted jerk baits are taking the bulk of these. Catches have not been as numerous as smallmouth. Expect to see these fish roaming the shallows as the month progresses and the water warms toward the spawning season.
Walleye are hitting well at night, in the dark of the moon, along shorelines on the lower end. Alewife or shad, snagged under lights and cast to the banks, as well as Redfins, Shad Raps, and similar lures are catching some the same way. Some of these fish are approaching and exceeding the 20-inch size. The headwater spawn is over, with a few stragglers being caught upriver.
Shellcrackers (redear sunfish) are hitting in the shallows where there are button bush or willow shrubs. They’re also being caught where there are the abundant, yellow flowers along the shoreline by those fishing with red worms (better than nightcrawlers for these fish), small minnows, and wax worms. Small spinners worked along the bottom can be effective.
Striped bass have been hitting well, especially at night, in the Loyston to Hickory Star section and in the channel near Point 19. The upper end of the larger creek embayments have had some catches: Cove Creek, Big Creek, and Davis Creek.
Normandy Lake - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Normandy is producing some good fish and is about to get a lot better as TVA pulls the water down. Current water levels are at 875.30 and headed up to 8756.13 by Sunday morning. Crank baits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to. We found several really nice bass using shaky heads at the end of points in 4 to 10 feet of water. Walleye can be caught trolling crank baits or drifting minnows/crawler harnesses on flats and in the river. Keep an eye on the habitat that TWRA and TN Bass Nation put out the last couple years Water temperatures range from 78 to 80 degrees.Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water.Capt Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Percy Priest – 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Brian Carper - briancarper.com - Follow on Facebook
Percy Priest lake is now 76ﾟ- 81° everyday! The water is still up half a foot since the recent rains, but is falling daily. The crappie have been on a grind. We have been catching 10-15 keepers a day. The majority of the crappie have moved out of the shallows and into brush piles ready to feed. Staying in 12 to 18ft has been the most productive depth for us this week. Casting 1/8oz and 1/16oz jigs in pearl, blue and green, pearl and chartreuse has been the ticket. The bass are also concentrating out deeper now! Point, humps, ledges off the main channel have been holding schools of bass ready to feed up for summer. Deep crank baits, plastic worms, and swimbaits have been productive. The next several weeks we will see large schools of bass concentrating and very aggressive.
For more information or Book your trip today at www.briancarper.com
Pickwick - 6-5-24
Forecast Contributor Tyler Finley – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.finley.750
The fish are finally in their summertime patterns. Shad spawn is still going first thing in the morning on shallow bars. These fish will be caught on a white swim bait and topwater. After the sun comes up you need to start to look on the ledges for schools. The majority of the schools are around state line island. These fish will be caught on a jig, Carolina rig, swimbait, and big crank bait. If you are able to find a school and make them bite it is easy to catch a large bag of fish in a hurry. Good luck!
Tims Ford - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Its time to go fishing in Tennessee! The fish are biting! Our best fish came on 3/8 Shaky Head with a Magnum Trick worm and ½ ounce Tightline Green Tequila Jig this week work around brush piles in 2 to 12 foot of water.Overall numbers are holding good with 15 to 20 fish per ½ day and quality is still good this past week as well.Presentations were Texas Rigged and Carolina rigged soft plastics, Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grub. Stripe and rock fish are schooling in the mornings.Current Lake level is 888.29 with a forecasted level remain close to 888.08 over the weekend.Water temps are between 79 to 81 degrees on most of the lake.Best ramps are Tims Ford Marina, Bass Club at Winchester City Park, State Park, Lost Creek, Turkey Creek and Devils Step at Fairview. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water and watch for floating logs.Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watts Bar - 5-30-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is Full! The big worm bite is strong with the Jig right with it. Water temperature is in the high 70s. Offshore bite is great with the scope and a big plug also a football jig and 4 inch shad. As always on the Bar the wood is good! The grass bite seems to be getting better with a Swim Jig and Swimming Worm.
Watts Bar 5-23-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook
Multiple species are going on and off the beds right now. We've had no water flow and the water still hasn't reached full pool yet. Until the water gets higher and stays consistent the crappie, bass, bluegill, shellcracker and numerous species of catfish will be going on and off the beds. The constant changes in depth isn't natural and it really confuses the fish. It also forces them to spawn fast and all at once so they might lay or hatch eggs,but have to leave their beds over night or during a hot day or just when the weather changes from cloudy to sunny.
At the same time the swarms of small bait fish are moving in so they just gorge on them early morning, late in the afternoon or just whatever time TVA decides to pump some water for a little bit. If you put your time in you will find and catch just about whatever species you are targeting, but don't expect to just go slaughter fish.
The crappie bite has been really good on the good days and really bad on the bad days even if the weather and water conditions don't change. You just have to put your time in and find them. Usually the most productive spots are the ones that no one else is fishing. Most of my bigger crappie lately have been on large live baits 3 - 4" or jigs tipped with minnows. Don't expect to just sit in one spot all day and catch a lot of fish. You have to cover some water.
Catfish, striper and white bass are gorging on shad, but they will be sporadic. They will be a lot more predictable once the water starts flowing.
Wilbur Tailwater - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor – Richard Markland, Region 4 Fisheries Technician
Tailwater Conditions- Tailwaters elevation 1585.75. Avg discharge is 240 cfm. The water temperature is 40-45* on the upper end of the tailwater. Water clarity is clear top to bottom. The fishing conditions change throughout the length of the tailwaters with flow rates and temperature.
Trout- Fishing is good. The most productive areas are Wilbur Dam downstream to Hunter area, not a lot of big fish but if you are looking for numbers the upper end is the place to be. Trout are being caught using Rapalas, Night crawler, Rooster tails, Small Flies, Streamers.
Woods Reservoir 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Grass lines and Brush have been the name of the game, Bass and Crappie all can be found along grass edges and on deeper cover. Best numbers are still coming on a shaky head rigged finesse bait and a Tightline Mussell Crawler Jig.We found our better fish in 3 to 8 foot of water using Texas Rigged D-Bombs from Missile Baits and Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and A-Rigs. Drifting or trolling with spider rigs for Crappie is picking up some nice slabs but you have to weed through the short fish. Water temperatures range from 79 to 82 degrees. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water. Give me a call to book your trip, Summer fishing can be lots of fun on Woods. Capt Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
