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Boone Reservoir – 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers, C & C Outfitters
Bass fishing in the daytime remains pretty steady. Some good action on the backs of creeks on small crank baits and buzz baits.
Striper and Hybrids are improving in the Point 10 to Davis Marina area on live shad around 15-20′ deep.
Some nice Flatheads and a few Channel Cats are being caught off the Wing Deer Park Pavilion on Chicken Livers and Nightcrawlers.
After the weekend weather settles, we should start seeing some decent crappie catches.
Good luck and stay safe on the water!
C & C Outfitters
Chip & Colton Chambers -423-707-8821
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063643880828
Stay safe on the water!
Boone Reservoir – 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor – Richard Markland, Region 4 Fisheries Technician
Reservoir Conditions– Reservoir elevation is 1379.14. The water temperature is 75* degrees. Water clarity 10’ visibility.
Bass- Fishing is good – As the water cools the bite should pick up. Largemouth, Spots and Smallmouth are being caught on crankbaits or small shad like baits, spinnerbaits, Ned rigs, plastic finesse worms, soft jerk baits, creature baits, jigs by fishing along rocky points, standing brush or around docks. Topwater early morning and late evening.
Crappie- No Report
Trout- No report
Striped Bass/Hybrid Bass- Fishing is slow. Most of the fish are being caught around Davis Dock up to Bluff City area on Holston side and Watauga Flats area using spoons or trolling live shad or trout 20-30’ and using chicken livers fishing from the bank.
Sunfish- Fishing is good – Fishing from fishing piers at Wingdeer Park using crickets, worms. Fishing around laydowns is always a good place to fish.
Center Hill – 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.
Reservoir Conditions-
Center Hill Dam is generating on average, 1,500 cfs per day, in preparation for the incoming inflow resulting from the upcoming hurricane. Reservoir elevation has dropped three feet from my last report, and currently sits at 632’. Surface water temperatures have dropped to the high 70s. The tailwater of Great Falls dam is producing cooler temperatures, 73-70 degrees. Water clarity varies throughout the reservoir with 8-12’ visibility on the lower end and in the channel. Visibility is 3-5’ in the backs of creeks and pockets.
Bass- Fishing is great. “Centember” is a great time to bass fish on Center Hill. There is an excellent topwater bite on points and secondary points early during the morning bite. Largemouth are cruising with bait balls in the backs of shallow pockets and creek arms. When the sun comes up, bass will follow the baitfish to the channel and suspend under the bait balls in 15-25 FOW. You can also fish around structure or rock drop-offs on main lake points in 20-25 FOW. Up the river, you can parallel deep, chunk rock banks with topwater, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits and follow the shade lines.
Crappie- Fishing is slow. Some crappie are being caught on the upper end around treetops with jigs. The crappie being caught were up shallow near the bank in five foot or less. You can find crappie suspended around baitfish or treetops near the creek channel in 15-20 FOW.
Walleye- Fishing is good. Trollers are catching a few keepers on the upper end of the reservoir all the way to the Sandbar trolling worm-spinner rigs in 21-25 FOW along gravel banks. We are winding down for the trolling season, and most anglers are able to catch a couple solid keepers but not many numbers.
Redear Sunfish- Fishing is slow. Anglers are targeting Shellcrackers on main lake gravel banks fishing the drop-offs in 20 FOW with worms on the bottom.
Cherokee Reservoir 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor – Roy Prater, Wildlife Technician I
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels have continued to drop over the previous week. The current Reservoir elevation is 1058.37, which is aligned with October 1st, 2024, guide curve predictions. Cooler dry conditions have brought the surface temperature down to 77 degrees on the Upper stretches of the lake to 78 degrees on the Mid and Lower sections of the lake. The Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) has shifted deeper in the Mid and Lower sections of the lake from approximately 30 feet of depth down to 50 feet. On the Upper sections it has stayed consistent at 20 to 25 feet in depth.
SUMMARY: The lake has settled lower than average for this time period. While temperatures have dropped so have water levels disturbing the fish’s habitat and making behaviors less predictable. Catch rates are low during daylight hours with most all reports of fish being caught very early in the morning. The Closed Fishing Zone was in effect until 15 September 2024, this no longer applies. However, the current Smallmouth Bass size restriction is in effect until 15 October 2024. All persons fishing on Cherokee Reservoir are advised to be familiar with current regulations.
SMALLMOUTH, LARGEMOUTH BASS: Schooly’s and smaller fish are being caught in increasing numbers on the Lower section of the lake using “Spook” type lures.
SPOTTED BASS: No reports of fish over the previous week.
STRIPED BASS /HYBRID BASS: No reports of fish over the previous week.
WHITE BASS: No reports of fish over the previous week.
CRAPPIE: No reports of fish over the previous week.
SUNFISH/BREAM: No reports of fish over the previous week.
WALLEYE: Some walleye have been reported being caught as by-catch while catfishing along Kidwell’s ridge.
CATFISH: Blue cats have been caught around the Mossy Creek and Kidwell’s Ridge areas.
PADDLEFISH: Closed Season.
FISHING TIPS: Go. You can’t catch’em from the couch.
Chickamauga Reservoir September 23, 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was cooler Monday morning but reaching highs in the lower 90’s throughout the day. Wind was low on Monday but this weekend with Hurricane Helene, the winds will likely cause dangerous situations on the water. Please wear life jackets if planning to tough it out. Water temps are staying up due to the amount of heat this past weekend but would expect them too cool this week. Current will likely be high if predicted amounts of rain do impact our area. The water levels are at normal full pool; the latest depth recorded is below. Recent storms have slightly decreased water visibility. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
Tennessee River (Lower Section): 81.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
Tennessee River (River Channel): 3.5 feet
Creeks/Inlets: 3 feet
Water Level: 681.30 feet
Water Flow: (as of September 23rd)
Watts Bar Dam: ~ 19902 cfs
Chickamauga Dam: ~ 10300 cfs
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Anglers seemed to get more bites fishing humps/ledges off of main river and creek channels. The offshore humps and flats seem to be still successful but has slowed down compared to previous weeks. Shad-like baits are attracting most bites this way. Topwater bites are picking up over shallow grass flats as well. Live bait is the most successful method observed to catch larger fish.
Crappie: Live minnows and small jigs over submerged structure, mostly in creeks or sloughs off main river.
White Bass: Best method observed was same method as Crappie listed above. Others found success with small crankbaits and jigs where fish are busting the surface.
Chickamauga – 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
The water is a 1 to 1.5 feet below pool! The water temperature dropped below 80 but will come back up this week for sure!
The bass are definitely on the threadfin shad so when we see that we tighten up our wiggle on our baits to get more bites. The gizzards however run a wide wobble when they swim so the wider roll on our baits will get bit by a big one! Look for these fish to still be on their deeper drops and ledges but make sure you don’t forget about the top of the shell beds and scattered grass where the big gizzards live! Naturally the threadfin bite is going to be with a 3–4-inch shad shaped bait and the big gizzard bite is going be with 5–8-inch baits.
The FFS world has recognized this and have made baits for all applications. Here on Chickamauga Lake the Pop-R is dynamite for the threadfin and the Spook or Pencil popper baits are for the gizzards! So, keep them both on the deck as fish the same summertime places you may have the best Topwater day of your life!
Douglas Lake 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Anyone that lives in Tennessee will tell you that September fishing is tough. So, with that being said, you have to put the odds in your favor. Here’s my baits, Spook, spinner bait, jig, and mid running crank bait.
My favorite areas. Mid lake bluffs, the flats above I40, and as far as you can go in the river.
Spinner bait and jig for the bluffs, spook and crank bait on the long tapering flats, and when you’re in the river (above Walter’s bridge) throw it all. Wind is key, as the temps cool shad move shallow, and wind will move them around so always fish the windy areas.
Good luck, God Bless
Message me to book a guided trip.
All info can be found on my site. https://www.killerbassbaits.com/
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Fall Creek Falls 9-25-24.
Forecast Contributor Casey Haston – FCF boat dock staff.
Lake Conditions: Fishing is fair considering we’ve still had some hot days, but we’ve also had some cool nights mixed in. As the temps cool fishing should get better! Surface water temperature is 77°-78°F and the water clarity is still around 3′-4’ft at the Boat Dock. We’ve still got the ten automatic fish feeders in operation. The feed times haven’t changed yet, they’re still set for 6am and 7:30pm.
Largemouth Bass: Fishing is slow to fair, still a few bass being caught on topwater, Senkos, ned rig, plastic worms, and a few on a jig. Bass have been chasing schooling shad, so maybe try baits that imitate shad!
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish: Still very few Shellcracker/Redear Sunfish being caught, but folks have still been catching some Bluegill. Always crickets and red worms are a go to for the Bluegill. Don’t forget about the feeders, definitely worth trying your luck around those!
Catfish: Fishing may have slowed down just a little, but folks are still catching some nice Catfish. I’ve had reports or liver, shrimp, hot dogs, and worms catching a few. Again, you might try your luck by the feeders!
Crappie: Fishing is still slow for the crappie. I’ve only heard of a very few being caught. Usually, small grubs or Bobby Garlands on a lightweight jig head is a good choice to try. Minnows is another good option; Crappie fishing should start picking up as the cooler temps start moving in.
Fort Loudoun 9-25-24.
Forecast Contributor Chris Keeble – Angler-Guide
The water temp is starting to drop, and the fish are getting more active by the day. A Lot of fish are roaming to find isolated bait balls over open water and staying near the surface, these active schools will have Bass, striped bass, and even some crappie mixed in them. There’s also a large number of fish pushing to shallower water but still those fish are keying in on small bait fish along riprap banks and points.
Crappie are starting to pull up on deeper docks and brush piles by the dozens, with the lake getting ready to turnover this can make some of those fish difficult to target in deeper water temporarily until conditions stabilize. As fish of all species go into their fall transition stage, fishing will get tougher here soon but with the rain coming in and cooler conditions, fall fishing is just right around the corner as the fish will begin feeding up for Winter!
Kentucky Lake 9-26-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FISHING SCENE WATCHES WEATHER FROM HURRICANE HELENE…COOLER DAYS NEXT WEEK
Fishermen have an eye in the sky across the Kentucky Lake region as the weekend approaches. The backside of Hurricane Helene is expected to come inland and head up the Tennessee Valley as the weekend approaches, threatening rainy days through Sunday. Anglers will be watching out for not only heavy rains, but wind associated with the storm which will be rated a Tropical Depression by the time it reaches our area. Lots of rain is expected to dump several inches on what an extremely dry late summer and early fall has been.
Just how much rain remains to be seen as forecasters are changing predictions by the hour. No doubt inclement weather will disrupt the fishing scene for a few days but in the aftermath, it appears fall weather is on the horizon. By Monday cooler days will begin to arrive and next week’s forecast looks good with cool days and chilly nights. Finally, a nice fall forecast is on the way.
Presently Kentucky Lake’s elevation is around the 355.5 range as TVA pushed a lot of water through Kentucky Dam the last few days in anticipation of the forthcoming wet weather. The storm surge is expected to dump a lot of water before it starts departing Sunday. Lake levels will likely rise a few inches in the days ahead, but no severe flooding is expected in our region at this time.
Surface temperatures have reflected the week of hot weather. Readings have been in the 75-to-78-degree range. Watch for surface temps for fall beginning early next week once cool weather enters the picture. Watercolor has been clear. Increased current in the main Tennessee River channel the last few days has improved the catfish bite. Flows had increased to 45,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). That could increase throughout the weekend.
Some nice stringers of catfish have been taken from the 30 to 40-foot depth range. If lake levels rise a bit these next few days watch for catfish to move up to as they follow the rising water.
Crappie fishermen have been tying into a catfish now and then as they work midrange depths of 14 to 17 feet. Some crappie are lingering around the 9-to-13-foot depth range and more will move up by next week when rising lake levels and cooler temperatures coincide. When lake levels were falling earlier this week it pulled some crappie back out to slightly deeper water. Plus, the hot weather and rising surface temperatures were factors as well. That’s about to change.
Anglers should see a blitz by schools of shad and crappie this next week. The fall-like weather should stimulate activity and enhance the overall bite. Anglers have been catching a lot of small crappie in-between the keepers while stalking the deeper structures out on the main lake areas. Mixed in with the crappie have been a catfish or two and some bluegill that are also taking up residence in manmade fish attractors.
Looks like a few days of nasty weather will be followed by a few days of stability.
Bass fishermen have been finding the bite sluggish lately. The shallow bite backed off during the hot spell but hopefully that will return next week as more shad schools move shallow and start relating to sloping gravel banks and structure.
It’s time for an aggressive fall bite to kick in. Best keep the raingear handy these next few days. Be observant and cautious as inclement weather is in the cards as the unstable weather pattern passes through.
Nickajack Lake – 9-4-24
Forecast Contributor Ethan Castle – Whitwell High School Bass Team
Fishing has been a little tougher lately even though the numbers have gone down a little the size has stayed around for the most part. water temps have been hanging in the low 80s for the most part. Flipping grass has been the main thing lately using a missile baits d bomb. throwing a white chatter bait or a dropshot with a robo worm in morning dawn on eelgrass edges in the river will also produce some good fish.
Normandy Lake – 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
We continue to find some nice fish active in the late afternoon/evening this week. The best area has been up the Duck River. Current water levels are at 871.43 and headed down to 871.20 by Sunday morning. Crankbaits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to.
We found a couple of good bass flipping laydowns near deep 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. Water temperatures range from 75 to 78 degrees. With fall just around the corner with cooler weather water temperatures should start dropping and fishing will start improving. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382 Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Percy Priest – 9-26-24
Forecast Contributor Brian Carper – briancarper.com – Follow on Facebook
After last week’s hot temperatures, we are finally getting a little cooler weather with some rain! The bass are ready for the change as most anglers are as well. This week shallow crankbaits, jigs and topwater lures have been productive. The shad are moving shallow, and the bass are following right behind. Up lake and mid lake have been the most successful for us while fishing boulder rocks and wood in 2ft-5ft. Coves with wind will produce the best as it pushes bait in.
For more information or Book your trip today at www.briancarper.com
Pickwick – 8-28-24
Forecast Contributor Tyler Finley – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.finley.750
The fall bite is starting to come into play on Pickwick. This means the fish are moving from their deep summertime holes to shallow bars and backs of creeks. There are still fish in every stage right now, but it seems the shallow bars are best for me. When I’m targeting a bar I stay from State Line Island to above Natchez Trace bridge. Look for bars with bait and schooling fish. These fish will be caught on a topwater (spook) or a small swimbait. I have recently caught a lot on a 1/4oz ball head paired with a 3.8 tech swimbait.
Tims Ford – 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Good news is we have cooler days and nights in the forecast combined with shorter days, we should start seeing a change to more consistent fall fishing. We found some nice fish active early in the mornings this week using Pop-R’s. However, our best fish came on 3.5-inch swimbait along steep bluff banks. We also found a few fish in creeks with shad using 1/4oz Shaky 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.
Overall numbers remained down a little with 10 to 15 fish per ½ day and quality is still good this past week as well. Don’t pass up the opportunity to flip laydowns, especially around deep water with a Texas rig. The current Lake level is 886.64 with a forecasted level slowly dropping to 886.56 over the weekend. Water temps are between 74 to 77 degrees on most of the lake. Please keep your lights on at night, even when sitting still “It’s the Law and it will save your life.” Always wear your life vest while on the water, watch for floating logs as the water drops and other boaters. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watauga Lake – 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers, C & C Outfitters
Daytime bass fishing is okay, with early morning Topwater and Buzz Baits doing the trick in the Elk River section of the lake. Nighttime fishing for Smallmouth is good, however the fish are still deep, but hitting tube baits and pig & jig combo in Green Pumpkin.
Trout trolling remains very slow.
A few crappie starting to show up 15-20 ‘ deep, live minnows seem to be doing best.
Walleye are still a little slow, but we look for a big improvement in October.
Stay safe on the water!
C & C Outfitters
Chip & Colton Chambers -423-707-8821
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063643880828
Stay safe on the water!
Watts Bar – 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is down a foot or so the water temperature is below 80 but will climb this week for sure. The Swimbait and Chatterbait lets you cover water through the grass but if you encounter some thick grass and hard edges the ole jig and puncher can hurt them! Downsize you chugging baits and get a smaller Buzz bait like the small Driftwood Custom Baits Head Banger that little dude can do some damage! Around the grass is bluegill crawfish and shad so arm yourself with these baits.
Wilbur Tailwater – 9-25-24
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.
Woods Reservoir 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
This week, we found some nice fish active in the mornings. Grass lines and Brush have been the remain your best bet, Bass and Crappie all can be found along grass edges and on deeper brush piles. Best numbers are still coming on a shaky head rigged finesse bait and a Tightline Mussel Crawler Jig in Green Tequila. We found our better fish in 8 to 15 foot of water using Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and Carolina Rigs.
Word has it Crappie have slowed down. Water temperatures range from 72.5 to 73 degrees. This cool down over the next couple weeks with cooler days and nights headed our way. Duck and Goose Hunting season is not far away, please be aware of hunting location around the lake. 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
