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Tennessee Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for Tennessee. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 7 - 9 - 08 ***
TENNESSEE FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS - MAPS.
BOONE RESERVOIR - BASS - Fair.Fishing is still slow this week but still some fish are being caught.
Most of the fish have been caught on Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Jerk baits, Buzzbait’s, Pop R’s are
being worked on top water early morning and later in the evenings catching some fish. Finesse
worms, tube bait’s have been the best bait to use on rock banks and in brush, Green Pumpkin,
Cherry Seed, Watermelon is the color of choice. Nighttime has been doing good using pig-n-jig’s
and worm’s and some fish are being caught on deep diving crankbaits.
STRIPED BASS, HYBRID, WHITE BASS - Good. There have been a lot of smaller fish caught in the
Watauga Arm. Early mornings and evenings have been good for some topwater action using Long A’
s, Pop R’s swimming them on the surface and Rattle Traps have been good when fish are near the
surface. Upstream from Winged Deer Park to Austin Springs Bridge has been good in early morning
for Hybrids, Striped Bass throwing topwater baits when the fish are feeding on the surface or flat
lining shad and chicken livers if still fishing.
CENTER HILL - Fishing is good. The water temperature is 86 degrees; lake is falling. Lots of bass
are being caught at night on jigs, spinnerbaits and soft-plastics, on points and drops in 10-to-20 feet
of water. Walleye fishing has been good for some, while trolling flats with nightcrawler rigs, in 20 feet
of water. Some bluegill are being caught on crickets on bluffs in 12 feet of water.
CHEROKEE RESERVOIR - Largemouth and smallmouth bass are most active in early morning
before sunrise and late evening and into the night. Fish the weedy or brushy areas and on flats.
Use zoom watermelon seed, topwater lures, spinners, or buzz baits fished 1 to 10 feet deep.
For crappie, fish the creeks, brush piles, and submerged treetops along bluffs. Fish at different
depths with minnows under a floater.
Walleye can be found on flats close to drop offs near the main channel. June bug spinners, rooster
tail jigs, or night crawlers trolled close to the bottom in 5 to 15 feet of water works best.
Striped bass are being caught in the areas of Point 4 to 9, Point 15 to 17, and a few at Point 24.
Trolling with live shad or jigs is most productive.
CHICKAMAUGA LAKE - Lake conditions as of 6/30/08 were as follows – Surface temperature is
cooler than previously reported. Surface temperature is 76 to 86 degrees depending on time of day
and location. Lake elevation is 682 feet, which is normal summer elevation. Some large water bay
areas with feeder creeks have some good bass fishing in them at this time due to the recent rains
pushing in some fresh and cooler water. The rest of the bass are being caught at average depths
of 20 feet near primary humps and points. Plastic worms rigged various ways, crankbaits and
swimbaits are the baits that most anglers depend on this time of year. The shallow fish are being
caught on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms. Some anglers are using lights at night to
catch crappie, bass, stripe, and catfish. Minnows, topwater lures, spoons, and a few other lures are
being used under the lights. Catfish are being caught in the main channel on all the normal catfish
baits. Tailwater catfish are being caught at frequent intervals. Bluegill are being caught while
drifting in the river channel, especially near large sunken humps and islands. Rockfish are being
caught in the tailwaters, but the bite has been sporadic. Early and late fishing seems to increase the
odds of a successful trip.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE - Fishing is good. The water temperature is 82 degrees; lake is falling. Bass
fishing is excellent on jigs, spinnerbaits, and soft-plastics on points in 10-to-15 feet of water. Lots of
walleye are being caught at night while trolling on grass flats in 25 feet of water. Daytime walleye
fishing has been good near the dam, while trolling with spoons in 30-to-50 feet of water.
FORT LOUDOUN RESERVOIR - Bass are still biting fairly well, but they seem to move back out into
deeper water, especially after the early morning topwater bite. Submerged humps and long
submerged points are a good place to look for the better size fish. Both largemouth and smallmouth
are biting fairly well and the early morning or the late evening is the best time for the topwater bite.
The Pop-R and the Torpedo are good choices until the sun gets up too high, which is around 10:00
or 11:00 a.m. Deep diving crankbaits like the DD22 in shad color is a good choice for fishing
submerged humps and islands. Swimbaits are catching a few good bass along with 3in. tubes in
watermelon seed color on the humps. The crappie seem to have slowed down a bit, but there are
still some nice ones being caught flipping the docks. The catfish and the sunfish are improving, and
should continue to improve.
GLENN SPRINGS LAKE - Catfishing is good. Fish are being caught on chicken/turkey livers and
night crawlers. Bass fishing is excellent. Fish are being caught on spinner baits and crank baits.
Crappie fishing is poor. Fish are being caught on minnows. Bluegill / Redear are good. Fish being
caught using crickets and redworms.
GRAHAM LAKE - Bass fishing is good. Fish are being caught on crank baits and top water baits.
Crappie fishing is fair. Some fish being caught on small minnows. Catfishing is excellent, fish being
caught on turkey livers and night crawlers. Bluegill / Redear fishing is excellent. Fish being caught
on wax worms, redworms and crickets.
MELTON HILL RESERVOIR - The bass seem to be concentrated around the submerged humps
and the stump fields. A good place to start is up in the creeks and on the points at the mouths of
creeks, or any rocky banks or submerged timber especially with current flowing past close to deeper
water. The crappie have slowed down a little over most of the lake. The catfish are in the steam
plant discharge area up around the boil. Trout are starting to hit a little better upstream toward the
61 bridge where the water stays cooler.
NORRIS RESERVOIR - WALLEYE catches are slow, but some are being caught as deep as 30 to
40 feet by daytime trollers and on shallow, rocky banks at night. SPOTTED and LARGEMOUTH
BASS are hitting close to the shoreline throughout the morning hours and at night, dropping to
about 15 feet during the daytime. SMALLMOUTH BASS surface action is still holding up, despite it
being the middle of June, but you have to be there at dawn to catch them. At midday, they’re as
deep as 30 feet on the humps. CRAPPIE are hitting for night anglers, under the lights. STRIPED
BASS are hitting well early in the day; very slow after 9:00 a.m., picking up again at dusk. BLUEGILL
and REDEAR SUNFISH (SHELLCRACKER) continue to hit in the brush and shallows (5 to 10 feet) in
the coves from the Girl Scout Camp in Loyston Sea, along the Big Ridge State Park property to Poor
Land Creek near Hickory Star Marina. BLUEGILL catches are good on crickets, wax worms or
popping bugs on shady, rocky banks.
PERCY PRIEST - No Report
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR - No Report
TELLICO LAKE - No Report
TIMS FORD - Black Bass: Largemouth and Smallmouth are a little hit or miss right now. Some days
are great but most days are really slow. Fish are suspended in deep water and not very active, but
every few days all the conditions are just right and they move into the shallows and feed actively.
Usually during the middle of the week when the lake traffic is slow. Night fishing and early morning
top water seem to be the most productive. Spotted bass are being caught in great numbers on live
crawfish.
Striped Bass/Hybrid are biting well again this week. Anglers that are trolling early morning are doing
well and a few people have been lucky enough to find them up in the jumps in the morning and
evening.
Walleye have been virtually non-existant until last weekend. I have heard serveral reports of limits
being caught on worm harnesses on the islands.
Crappie are very scattered but keepers are being caught on the upper end in boat houses and in a
few trees in deep water.
Sunfish are on all the banks and under docks.
Catfish are doing well just about everywere on live bait. Jugs have not been very productive.
WATTS BAR - Lake conditions as of 6/30/08 were as follows – Surface temperature is cooler than
previously reported. Surface temperature is 75 degrees to 85 degrees depending on location and
time of day. Elevation is 740.1 feet which is at the lower range of normal summer pool. White bass
are being caught near primary humps and ledges in the mid to lower area of the lake at a reduced
rate than that of earlier weeks. Some tailwater white bass are being caught early and late. Some
breaking fish are being reported in both areas. Spoons and spinner-type lures are the most used
baits. Some mature fishermen are using a technique for surface stripe that was more often used in
earlier times. Topwater lures such as “Chuggers” are being used with a jig or fly trailer and at times
two fish at a time are being caught. Catfish are being caught in the tailwater areas as well as the
deeper water near bluffs in the waters downstream. Live bait and current will increase the success
ratio of numbers and quality of fish being caught. Rockfish are being caught in the tailwaters below
Melton Hill Dam and Fort Loudoun Dam. Live shad is the best bait. Some sizable fish are being
caught at dusk on surface lures. An occasional rockfish is being caught in the mid to lower area of
the lake near primary humps and points. Crappie anglers are fishing under lights at night while
using minnows. Deep water near bluff walls is only one of the areas crappie anglers have targeted.
Bass anglers are having their best luck on the primary waters near bluff walls, points, and humps.
The larger numbers of anglers are fishing early, late, and at night. Crankbaits, swimbaits and some
topwater lures are being used by most anglers.
WOODS RESERVOIR - No Report
Report By: TWRA
TENNESSEE FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS - MAPS.
BOONE RESERVOIR - BASS - Fair.Fishing is still slow this week but still some fish are being caught.
Most of the fish have been caught on Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Jerk baits, Buzzbait’s, Pop R’s are
being worked on top water early morning and later in the evenings catching some fish. Finesse
worms, tube bait’s have been the best bait to use on rock banks and in brush, Green Pumpkin,
Cherry Seed, Watermelon is the color of choice. Nighttime has been doing good using pig-n-jig’s
and worm’s and some fish are being caught on deep diving crankbaits.
STRIPED BASS, HYBRID, WHITE BASS - Good. There have been a lot of smaller fish caught in the
Watauga Arm. Early mornings and evenings have been good for some topwater action using Long A’
s, Pop R’s swimming them on the surface and Rattle Traps have been good when fish are near the
surface. Upstream from Winged Deer Park to Austin Springs Bridge has been good in early morning
for Hybrids, Striped Bass throwing topwater baits when the fish are feeding on the surface or flat
lining shad and chicken livers if still fishing.
CENTER HILL - Fishing is good. The water temperature is 86 degrees; lake is falling. Lots of bass
are being caught at night on jigs, spinnerbaits and soft-plastics, on points and drops in 10-to-20 feet
of water. Walleye fishing has been good for some, while trolling flats with nightcrawler rigs, in 20 feet
of water. Some bluegill are being caught on crickets on bluffs in 12 feet of water.
CHEROKEE RESERVOIR - Largemouth and smallmouth bass are most active in early morning
before sunrise and late evening and into the night. Fish the weedy or brushy areas and on flats.
Use zoom watermelon seed, topwater lures, spinners, or buzz baits fished 1 to 10 feet deep.
For crappie, fish the creeks, brush piles, and submerged treetops along bluffs. Fish at different
depths with minnows under a floater.
Walleye can be found on flats close to drop offs near the main channel. June bug spinners, rooster
tail jigs, or night crawlers trolled close to the bottom in 5 to 15 feet of water works best.
Striped bass are being caught in the areas of Point 4 to 9, Point 15 to 17, and a few at Point 24.
Trolling with live shad or jigs is most productive.
CHICKAMAUGA LAKE - Lake conditions as of 6/30/08 were as follows – Surface temperature is
cooler than previously reported. Surface temperature is 76 to 86 degrees depending on time of day
and location. Lake elevation is 682 feet, which is normal summer elevation. Some large water bay
areas with feeder creeks have some good bass fishing in them at this time due to the recent rains
pushing in some fresh and cooler water. The rest of the bass are being caught at average depths
of 20 feet near primary humps and points. Plastic worms rigged various ways, crankbaits and
swimbaits are the baits that most anglers depend on this time of year. The shallow fish are being
caught on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms. Some anglers are using lights at night to
catch crappie, bass, stripe, and catfish. Minnows, topwater lures, spoons, and a few other lures are
being used under the lights. Catfish are being caught in the main channel on all the normal catfish
baits. Tailwater catfish are being caught at frequent intervals. Bluegill are being caught while
drifting in the river channel, especially near large sunken humps and islands. Rockfish are being
caught in the tailwaters, but the bite has been sporadic. Early and late fishing seems to increase the
odds of a successful trip.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE - Fishing is good. The water temperature is 82 degrees; lake is falling. Bass
fishing is excellent on jigs, spinnerbaits, and soft-plastics on points in 10-to-15 feet of water. Lots of
walleye are being caught at night while trolling on grass flats in 25 feet of water. Daytime walleye
fishing has been good near the dam, while trolling with spoons in 30-to-50 feet of water.
FORT LOUDOUN RESERVOIR - Bass are still biting fairly well, but they seem to move back out into
deeper water, especially after the early morning topwater bite. Submerged humps and long
submerged points are a good place to look for the better size fish. Both largemouth and smallmouth
are biting fairly well and the early morning or the late evening is the best time for the topwater bite.
The Pop-R and the Torpedo are good choices until the sun gets up too high, which is around 10:00
or 11:00 a.m. Deep diving crankbaits like the DD22 in shad color is a good choice for fishing
submerged humps and islands. Swimbaits are catching a few good bass along with 3in. tubes in
watermelon seed color on the humps. The crappie seem to have slowed down a bit, but there are
still some nice ones being caught flipping the docks. The catfish and the sunfish are improving, and
should continue to improve.
GLENN SPRINGS LAKE - Catfishing is good. Fish are being caught on chicken/turkey livers and
night crawlers. Bass fishing is excellent. Fish are being caught on spinner baits and crank baits.
Crappie fishing is poor. Fish are being caught on minnows. Bluegill / Redear are good. Fish being
caught using crickets and redworms.
GRAHAM LAKE - Bass fishing is good. Fish are being caught on crank baits and top water baits.
Crappie fishing is fair. Some fish being caught on small minnows. Catfishing is excellent, fish being
caught on turkey livers and night crawlers. Bluegill / Redear fishing is excellent. Fish being caught
on wax worms, redworms and crickets.
MELTON HILL RESERVOIR - The bass seem to be concentrated around the submerged humps
and the stump fields. A good place to start is up in the creeks and on the points at the mouths of
creeks, or any rocky banks or submerged timber especially with current flowing past close to deeper
water. The crappie have slowed down a little over most of the lake. The catfish are in the steam
plant discharge area up around the boil. Trout are starting to hit a little better upstream toward the
61 bridge where the water stays cooler.
NORRIS RESERVOIR - WALLEYE catches are slow, but some are being caught as deep as 30 to
40 feet by daytime trollers and on shallow, rocky banks at night. SPOTTED and LARGEMOUTH
BASS are hitting close to the shoreline throughout the morning hours and at night, dropping to
about 15 feet during the daytime. SMALLMOUTH BASS surface action is still holding up, despite it
being the middle of June, but you have to be there at dawn to catch them. At midday, they’re as
deep as 30 feet on the humps. CRAPPIE are hitting for night anglers, under the lights. STRIPED
BASS are hitting well early in the day; very slow after 9:00 a.m., picking up again at dusk. BLUEGILL
and REDEAR SUNFISH (SHELLCRACKER) continue to hit in the brush and shallows (5 to 10 feet) in
the coves from the Girl Scout Camp in Loyston Sea, along the Big Ridge State Park property to Poor
Land Creek near Hickory Star Marina. BLUEGILL catches are good on crickets, wax worms or
popping bugs on shady, rocky banks.
PERCY PRIEST - No Report
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR - No Report
TELLICO LAKE - No Report
TIMS FORD - Black Bass: Largemouth and Smallmouth are a little hit or miss right now. Some days
are great but most days are really slow. Fish are suspended in deep water and not very active, but
every few days all the conditions are just right and they move into the shallows and feed actively.
Usually during the middle of the week when the lake traffic is slow. Night fishing and early morning
top water seem to be the most productive. Spotted bass are being caught in great numbers on live
crawfish.
Striped Bass/Hybrid are biting well again this week. Anglers that are trolling early morning are doing
well and a few people have been lucky enough to find them up in the jumps in the morning and
evening.
Walleye have been virtually non-existant until last weekend. I have heard serveral reports of limits
being caught on worm harnesses on the islands.
Crappie are very scattered but keepers are being caught on the upper end in boat houses and in a
few trees in deep water.
Sunfish are on all the banks and under docks.
Catfish are doing well just about everywere on live bait. Jugs have not been very productive.
WATTS BAR - Lake conditions as of 6/30/08 were as follows – Surface temperature is cooler than
previously reported. Surface temperature is 75 degrees to 85 degrees depending on location and
time of day. Elevation is 740.1 feet which is at the lower range of normal summer pool. White bass
are being caught near primary humps and ledges in the mid to lower area of the lake at a reduced
rate than that of earlier weeks. Some tailwater white bass are being caught early and late. Some
breaking fish are being reported in both areas. Spoons and spinner-type lures are the most used
baits. Some mature fishermen are using a technique for surface stripe that was more often used in
earlier times. Topwater lures such as “Chuggers” are being used with a jig or fly trailer and at times
two fish at a time are being caught. Catfish are being caught in the tailwater areas as well as the
deeper water near bluffs in the waters downstream. Live bait and current will increase the success
ratio of numbers and quality of fish being caught. Rockfish are being caught in the tailwaters below
Melton Hill Dam and Fort Loudoun Dam. Live shad is the best bait. Some sizable fish are being
caught at dusk on surface lures. An occasional rockfish is being caught in the mid to lower area of
the lake near primary humps and points. Crappie anglers are fishing under lights at night while
using minnows. Deep water near bluff walls is only one of the areas crappie anglers have targeted.
Bass anglers are having their best luck on the primary waters near bluff walls, points, and humps.
The larger numbers of anglers are fishing early, late, and at night. Crankbaits, swimbaits and some
topwater lures are being used by most anglers.
WOODS RESERVOIR - No Report
Report By: TWRA
