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
Center Hill – 1-15-25
Report Contributor – Chris Snow, Guide at www.briancarper.com
Bass continue to be caught around schools of bait on jigging spoons and the Damiki rig in about 35 to 40ft of water. Surface temp is 51 degrees and has come up about 3ft.
To learn more or get out on the water with us check out Brian Carper’s guide service at www.briancarper.com.
Center Hill – 1-30-25
Report Contributor – James Bond, 007’s Guide Service
https://www.facebook.com/share/14max84U3j/?mibextid=qi2Omg
Current water temp – 41 degrees
Bass – the smallmouth bite has been really good for the last few days. Fish in the 18″ to 20″ range are being caught with jigging spoons and blade baits. The bigger fish seem to be hugging the bottom in 25 to 35 feet of water. We’ve also caught several really nice fish, chasing shad over deep water. Good electronics are critical for these deep winter fish. A very slow presentation has worked well for us.
Crappie- large crappie are abundant in the main channel areas if you don’t mind spending the time finding the right school. The smaller crappie seems to be staying close to cover like treetops and marina docks.
Walleye – with the cold water and recent rains, the walleye are on the move again. Blade baits, spoons, and good old fashioned vertical hair jigging has done the trick for us lately. Once again, having good electronics has been the key to finding these elusive gold nuggets in deep water (30 to 60 ft). Find the bait and you’ll find the walleye as they stage in preparation for their annual spawning run. The average catch over the last few days has been male walleye in the 18 to 22 ” range. The walleye bite has been slow for the last few weeks, but they are there and will bite if you find the right group.
Catfish– no report
James Bond, 007’s Guide Service, Smithville, TN 601-720-6193
Chickamauga – 1-30-25
Report Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Chickamauga is cold with water temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s. The A-rig is always a player here along with the blade baits. The water temperature is going to rise with the warmer days so keep that Rat-l-trap on the deck as the baitfish will begin to rise. Remember if you have current you can be more aggressive. Chunky rock banks and shallow shell bed points are definite player in these situations.
Dale Hollow – 1-29-25
Report Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions- Dale Hollow Dam is generating 200 cfs in average outflow per day. The reservoir elevation sits at 638’. Surface water temperatures are frigid, averaging 37-41 degrees reservoir-wide. Visibility lacks upstream on the main tributary arms, only 3-5’ of clarity. Water visibility on the main lake is good, 7-12’ of visibility. Watch for sheets of ice on the upper Wolf and Obey River Arms. Please wear your life jacket; submersion into these cold-water conditions can induce hypothermia within minutes.
Bass- Fishing is slow. When the water is this cold, most fish don’t have as many feeding periods throughout the day. Some anglers are catching individual bass on the main lake, 40-50’ down. On sunny days, some bass may pull up shallow to boat ramps or black shale banks.
Crappie– Fishing is slow. Anglers are catching a handful of crappie. Most are catching them off deep brush on the upper end of the reservoir 25’ down. The crappie are schooled together but getting them to bite is a challenge.
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 1-22-25
Report Contributor – Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
Fishing Conditions – Obviously it has been too cold for many fishermen to be on the river. On top of that, TVA has been having to run more than 4,500 cfs to keep the lake levels down.
Water clarity – clear
Water temps – 42 to 45 degrees
Flows – check the TVA website for the flow schedule. (Lake Level – Apalachia) TVA has been running 2 generators around the clock this week. Predicted water flows look to be returning to normal by the weekend.
Hatches and flies to use – BWO’s are the main hatch now. Small and large nymphs are producing fairly well. From tiny zebra midges to large stonefly patterns are producing. Streamers such as wooly buggers are good especially on cloudy days. BWO parachutes from #18 to #20 work fairly well on the rising fish. Streamers and larger nymphs are producing some larger fish in the fast water.
Kentucky Lake 1-30-25
Report Contributor – Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
WINTER FISHING SCENE REBOUNDS WITH WARM-UP
Riding the weather roller coaster lately have been both winter fishermen and weary waterfowlers. The last couple of weeks have seen ice take over a lot of shallow water areas and send the duck hunters back to the fireplace only to see spring weather slip in the door and really turn things around.
Winter fishermen are on the rebound and hit the lake last week once above average temperatures descended and chased away the ice and cold northwest winds. Anglers wasted no time returning to the boat ramps and open waters of Kentucky, Barkley and Reelfoot Lakes. To say fishermen had been suffering from cabin fever the last half of January would be a gross understatement. They’ve had to yield to the winter weather quite a bit these last few weeks so once the weatherman changed sides and started forecasting nice weather and rising temperatures they hit the ground running.
Last week fishermen were out testing the waters of Kentucky Lake throughout the Paris Landing sector and up into West Sandy as well. Several boats were seen stalking crappie out on main lake areas once a heavy rain passed through for a day or two. Water levels have been at the low ebb elevation of 354.2 recently across Kentucky Lake. However, watch for that lake level to rise as a heavy rain last Friday across the region sent a lot of runoff into the Tennessee River. No doubt TVA was prepared for the drenching as having the reservoir down to its low ebb of winter pool created huge storage capacity, so the lake was able to absorb the lion’s share of the flooding that entered the picture locally.
Odds are by the time you read this column and report the lake will be rising a bit. Both bass and crappie anglers may have to address a little current in the near future, especially those fishing near the main Tennessee River channel areas. Back in the bays rising lake levels may send crappie and bass up to meet the fresh rising water where all sorts of baitfish will be roaming the newly inundated territory. Keep an eye on the TVA website to monitor the changes in lake levels on a daily basis for Kentucky reservoir. You can access the various lake by going to www.TVA.com.
Meanwhile, crappie anglers have scored some decent stringers the last week or so by stalking deep structure out on main lake ledges and humps. Depths of 9 to 14 feet have given up fish around submerged structure such as brush piles and stake beds. There’re always a few angles testing out the deep sides of ledges and testing the 16-to-20-foot depth range. With jigs and live minnows, they often find some deep fish out there too. And there’s always seems to be a few fishermen targeting shallow areas too hoping a few winter crappie are roaming there.
A few bass fishermen have come alive since the rising temperatures lured them out of their comfort zones this week. Watch for a few bass to be taken around some shallow banks the longer this warming trend holds on. Others will pursue some smallmouth out in places where the current will put them on deep submerged sandbars and points on the down current side of deep-water hideouts. They’re out there waiting for the current to deliver shad right to their doorstep.
With the recent warm spell, it has teased anglers a bit. Wise are the ones who take advantage of it as they know this time of the year weather can change quickly and fall right back into a frigid forecast. Enjoy the honeymoon with warm weather here in early February. Just don’t expect it to linger too long!
Nickajack Reservoir, January 23rd-26th, 2025
Report Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather has been cold throughout the weekend with lows in the upper teens and highs throughout the day as warm as 51. Current throughout the reservoir and below dams has slowed compared to previous weeks. The water levels were 2 feet below full pool on the 26th; the latest depth and discharge rate I have recorded is below. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
Upper end of Lake: 40.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Lower end of Lake: 41.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
Tennessee River (River Channel): 3.5 foot
Water Level: 634.08 feet
Water Flow: (as of January 26th)
Chickamauga Dam: ~ 7080 cfs
Nickajack Dam: ~ 8800 cfs
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is good.
Lower section of the lake:
Most anglers are catching Largemouth Bass in this portion of the lake. Fishing transition areas such as pea gravel to larger rocky structure with A-rigs, jerk baits, and swimbaits all with a more natural color. Bluff walls impacted by current and other rocky structure are holding fish as well with anglers throwing shad-like minnows and swimbaits. Live shad in these areas is the most successful practice. Many anglers are targeting grass edges along river channel banks.
Upper Section of the lake: Many anglers are targeting Smallmouth Bass in this section of the lake throwing A-rigs, jerk baits, and jigging minnows along rocky banks impacted by current. Live bait such as shiners and shad are great in these areas as well.
Normandy Lake – 1-9-25
Report Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
We found some nice fish active in late morning and afternoon this week. The best areas have been upriver. Current water levels are at 865.56. Crankbaits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to. We found some good bass using Forward Facing Sonar in open water. I was told anglers are still catching a few nice Walleye can be caught trolling crankbaits or drifting minnows/crawler harnesses on flats and in the river. Crappie are doing good as well on standing timber and brush piles. Water temperatures range from 47 to 51 degrees.
Lots of habitat work has been done on Normandy over the last four weeks by the Tennessee Bass Nation High School and Conservation programs, I highly recommend that angler get out before the water comes up and just look around. Keep in mind if you see habitat placed on the lake shore there is most likely habitat in the water just in front of these areas. They even fixed the ramp edge at Barton Springs. Photos of these areas can be found on the Tennessee Bass Nation Conservation Facebook page. Please Wear those Life Vest and drain your trailers before you pull up the ramps. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Norris Lake 1-30-25
Report Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well and enjoying these balmy 50* days. Thank goodness it got out of the teens, that’s too cold for anybody.
Fishing ……. Before the deep freeze was very good. I have been on Norris for the last month and the smallmouth bite was awesome with water temps in the low 50’s. With the VERY cold temps in the last week or so things have changed drastically. I had a trip on Norris Lake yesterday and we struggled to get bites.
The most consistent technique I have had success with is “tightlining”. This technique is geared toward smallmouth but largemouth and spotted bass alike are caught as well. It consists of 6lb Pline Tactical fluorocarbon, a 3/16th round ball head with a custom hook, and a Berkley 3” Gulp minnow. This technique is region specific with its origins right here in east Tn. A lot of folks say they “tightline” but most mistake it for “drop fishing” or scoping which neither could be farther from the truth. With tightlining you can cover a wide depth range such as 5’ to 30’. It’s a killer gig and while it may not win you the Bassmaster Classic it is sure to save the day and make for a fun interesting day not knowing what’s on the other end of the line.
Now’s the time it shines with it starting in the low 50* water temps and stays consistent through the winter.
If you would like to see and learn this technique firsthand shoot me an email and we’ll get you a day booked. I, along with Nathan Light and the crew from 3B Outdoors did a show using the tightline technique and from there it exploded on our area lakes. The episode can be found on YouTube. Don’t be in the outside looking in, email me to book a Tightline trip.
God Bless, See you on the water.
Brad Burkhart @bradburkhartprofishing
Old Hickory – 1-14-25
Report Contributor – Tanner Hale, Guide at www.briancarper.com
Old man winter is in full swing here in middle Tennessee, I think we have all experienced it from the snow fall at the end of last week. With the weather still mirroring last week and some of the temps dipping down even a little lower the fishing has still remained about the same. Crappie and bass both have not been very active as they are in the middle of adjusting daily to our winter weather. I have made it out on the water one day since last week we scrapped up 10 keeper crappie with one of them being a 2.34 pounder. Bite was slow we really had to slow things down to get bites. The fish seem dug in waiting for a weather change. We were targeting these fish in 20-30 foot of water with jigs and minnows.
To learn more or get out on the water with us check out Brian Carper’s guide service at www.briancarper.com
Parksville Reservoir, January 27th, 2025
Report Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was warmer than the weekend with lows in the upper 30’s and highs throughout the day up to 50 after the rain Sunday night. Water temp have stayed roughly the same on main lake. Current throughout the reservoir has been steady. Visibility is good throughout the reservoir There is ice on the surface of the water at Parksville and East Parksville ramps, but King’s Slough Ramp is good. The water levels are at full pool; the latest depth recorded is below. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp: 42.3 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity: 7 feet
Water Level: 828.02 feet
Water Flow: (as of January 27th)
Ocoee#1 Dam: ~ 2004 cfs
Ocoee#2 Dam: ~ 1090 cfs (spilling)
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Throwing jerk baits, A-rigs, and swimbaits around schools of bait in open water and creek mouths. Float-n-fly fishing also attracts bites on steep rocky ledges and points in creek arms. Live minnows in creek channels also attracts bites.
Yellow Perch: Fishing is good. Live minnows or worms, also small jigs/grubs, on shallow channel ledges/flats on upper portion of reservoir. Some anglers are finding perch in deeper water as well (25+ feet)
Percy Priest – 1-8-25
Report Contributor – Arnie Shanklin, Guide at www.briancarper.com
I’ll be providing crappie and sauger reports this year. With the weather the last week I’ve only been sauger fishing from the bank and the bite is picking up along the Cumberland River with this cold weather coming in this week. 3” paddle tail (shad color) on 5/16 – 3/8 jig heads working the best.
To learn more or get out on the water with us check out Brian Carper’s guide service at www.briancarper.com.
Tims Ford – 1-9-25
Report Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Despite the cold weather some fish can still be caught. Early morning start time is not necessarily this time of the year. Waiting till it warms a little on most days is best not just for fishing but anglers as well. Some good fish can be caught on 3.5-inch swimbait, jerk baits along steep bluffs banks and using Forward facing Sonar in open water areas like channel bends. We caught a few fish in creek mouths area with shad using jerk baits, 1/4oz Shakey Head with a finesse Trick worm and ½ ounce Tightline Green Tequila Jig this week work around brush piles in 8 to 15 feet of water. Over the past two weeks, it’s been tough to get quality keepers, but you can still have a lot of fun. Don’t pass up the opportunity to flip laydowns, especially around deep water with a Texas rig. Crappie are doing better than Bass; several guys have caught some really nice slabs using minnows and artificial grubs around laydowns and brush on the deeper docks.
The current Lake level is 874.68 with a forecasted level slowly rising to 875.13 over the weekend. Water temps are between 47 and 50 degrees on most of the lake. Lots of habitat work has been done on Tims Ford over the last four weeks by the Tennessee Bass Nation High School and Conservation programs, I highly recommend that angler get out before the water comes up and just look around. Keep in mind if you see habitat placed on the lake shore there is most likely habitat in the water just in front of these areas. Photos of these areas can be found on the Tennessee Bass Nation Conservation Facebook page. Please, drain those trailers before pulling up the ramps. The next person will really appreciate it. Always wear your life vest while on the water, with the colder water and colder air temperatures, you only have a few minutes to get out of the water if you fall in. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watts Bar – 1-30-25
Report Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is cold with water temperatures in the low 40s and high 30s. The A-rig with light heads seems to be the best bite. Deep creek bends and main channel bends are the key especially with wood on them. The slower approach is the small jigs and Neds. Always have a blade bait tied on as many of the shad will be close to the bottom. As this warming trend hits the cranking program will get better as 8-12 feet banks will start holding more bass. The shad rap and flat sides will play.
Woods Reservoir 1-9-25
Report Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Grass lines and Brush have been the remain your best bet, Bass are slow, and Crappie are better, and guys say they are catching Crappie on Minnows some are being caught on soft plastic grubs. Bass are still coming on a shaky head rigged finesse bait and a Tightline Mussel Crawler Jig in Green Tequila. A few are being caught on crankbaits and jerk baits. We found our better fish in 8 to 15 feet of water using Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and Carolina Rigs. Water temperatures range from 46 to 51 degrees. Duck Hunting season is in full swing, please be aware of hunting locations around the lake and that the lower end of the lake is closed to all traffic…boats or walking the bank. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water. Give me a call to book your trip, fall fishing can be lots of fun on Woods. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
