TWRA Fishing Forecast
TWRA WEEKLY FISHING FORECAST (04-11-2025)
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.
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Boone Reservoir – 3-20-25
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers – C and C Outfitters – C & C Outfitters Facebook
Spring has sprung and fishing is good! Great news on crappie, some decent catches this week in the 6-8 ‘ depth range on Bobby Garland type lures and on a fly and live minnow combo. The mid lake and Holston side are producing around brush.
Bass fishing is good. Small crank baits and jerkbaits on the inside of main channel points are working well, even a few fish on spinnerbaits showing up.
Striper fishing isn’t bad, the fish are just very scattered. Some are starting to chase bait in pockets, with some of the larger fish still in the 22-38’ range.
Stay safe on the water!
C and C Outfitters
Colton and Chip Chambers
423-707-8822
Center Hill Tailwater (Caney Fork River) – 3-21-25
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions – Center Hill Dam has been generating 3 units 24/7 for close to a week now. They will probably continue 2-3 generators for several days to get the lake ready for another spring rain. Water temperatures have been around 49F. Agency staff will be conducting creel surveys through October, so we look forward to seeing you all out and hearing about your trip.
Trout – Fishing is good. We are still having shad pass through the turbines, and the fish know it. With the water up, streamers or bait patterns are going to be your best bet. Wade fishing was decent before the recent rains, with anglers experiencing “bite windows” or the fish were completely turned off. As we start to get lower flows towards the end of the month, be ready to take advantage of some areas that haven’t seen much pressure for a few weeks and the Blue Wing Olive hatches in sunny stretches.
Center Hill – 4-9-25
Report Contributor – Chris Snow, Guide at www.briancarper.com
Despite the high water the bass continue to bite. The full moon has them wanting to spawn. Flipping bushes with soft plastics and spinnerbaits continue to be my baits of choice. Both walleye and crappie are fair using catspaws and crappie jigs .
To learn more or get out on the water with us check out Brian Carper’s guide service at www.briancarper.com.
Center Hill – 4-9-25
Report Contributor – James Bond, 007’s Guide Service – 007’s Guide Service
Water Temp – 59
Current lake level – 650
Center Hill is high and muddy with lots of debris floating in the lake.
Bass – Largemouth are being caught shallow around wood and rock piles with a jig and plastic combo.
Crappie – Crappie are being caught close to shore with minnows and bright colored jigs. Our best day came in less than 10 ft of water on a pink jig head paired with a baby battle shad in pink and white
Walleye – It seems the spawn is over and the walleye are up shallow in the muddy water. The numbers remain low for this time of year. The few we have caught have been on a bright colored curly tail tipped with a minnow.
Catfish – No report
For booking information call James at 601-720_6193 or visit us on Facebook.
Tight lines and I’ll see you on the water!
James Bond, 007’s Guide Service, Smithville, TN 601-720-6193
Cherokee Lake 3-19-25
Report Contributor – Roy M. Prater, WL Tech 1, Region 4
Before planning a fishing trip to Douglas Reservoir anglers are encouraged to reference TEMA’s website for current water and fish consumption advisories.
RESERVOIR / WATER CONDITIONS: Water clarity is poor with less than 1 foot of visibility from Rankin Refuge to the I-40 bridge. Reservoir levels are relatively steady. Debris continues to be collected at the upper end of the reservoir with crews located up to Point 18.
Anglers are advised to reference www.tva.com for the latest reservoir conditions. To better prepare for a day on the water forecasted weather can be accessed from the National Weather Service.
SUMMARY: The lake is receiving muddy water via the French Broad and Nolichucky rivers. Heavy storms from last weekend are still draining down both rivers and into the reservoir. Surface temperatures from Leadvale Access to mid-reservoir range from 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees at Flat Creek. A Shad die off in the Flat Creek area seems to have affected fishing in the drainage. Water quality in the Maguire Creek drainage is good. Boaters should be extra cautious when transiting from Point 17 up to the North Carolina border as falling water levels are exposing obstructions and semi-submerged debris.
Chickamauga – 4-9-25
Report Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook and www.riprapfishing.net
Chickamauga was full and now down a foot or less. The water temperature is mid 60s. There’s a lot of moving around with them right now everything from a shell bed on a river bar to grass beds to the beds! The shell beds are big chatterbait and 5 -7 inch swimbaits. The grass is smaller chatterbait and lighter Swimbaits 5 inch. The shallow water is Senkos and creature baits.
Dale Hollow – 4-9-25
Report Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions-
Dale Hollow Dam had been in a holding pattern earlier this week, with the backflow of the Cumberland rising the elevation of the tailwater. Dale Hollow is now scheduled to be generating 2 or more generators the rest of this week and averaging 3,500 cfs in outflow per day. The reservoir elevation has risen two feet but is predicted to stabilize at 652’. Surface water temperatures have cooled with the dogwood winter we have experienced. The main lake is 58-61 degrees reservoir wide, with the warmest waters being in the backs of pockets and creek arms around 63-65 degrees. Water clarity on the lower end is 6-10’ and the upper end being 3-5’ of visibility. With the rising waters, floating debris has picked up reservoir wide so be vigilant on the water for hazards. The moon is waxing gibbous and will be a full moon this weekend on the 12th.
Bass- Fishing is excellent. The hot bite has continued. You can find both smallmouth and largemouth in all three phases of the spawn reservoir wide. You can truly go catch bass on any method or location you seem fit right now. The best bite for the smallmouth continues to be on main lake gravel banks with wood or grass mixed in. Target the 5-10’ range with small swimbaits, ned rigs, hair jigs, or crankbaits. The flipping bite for the largemouth is great. Fish flooded willow trees, buck brush, laydowns, or standing timber with spinnerbaits, swimbaits, crankbaits or flipping.
Crappie- Fishing is slow. Most anglers have been struggling with the crappie. Most of the crappie on the reservoir, like the bass, are in all phases of the spawn right now and are not as interested in feeding. By the beginning of next week, there should be a big push of postspawn fish ready to feed. Target them on the upper river arms around laydowns in 10-20 FOW.
Sunfish- Fishing is good. Some anglers have been on some slab bluegills this week. Fishing main lake gravel bars with grass beds in 8-20 FOW. Worms near the bottom.
Douglas Lake 4-4-25
Forecast Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Good morning, hope all is well. I usually do a Douglas report but trips this week have taken me to Norris lake so here’s a Norris Report. The first wave of smallmouth are in full spawn and are actually a little finicky, the males aren’t but the big females that you want to catch are. We have been catching most of the smallmouth on a 5” grub and 8lb Pline florocarbon.
Largemouth on the other hand are eating like crazy as the first wave of those are in full pre spawn. Any short pockets off the main channel with wood will get you a bite. The baits that have worked best Thai week are a chatter bait and Jerkbait.
If you would like to book a trip to see it first hand message me.
Hope this helps.
Good fishing and God Bless!
Message me to book a trip.
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Douglas Lake 3-19-25
Report Contributor – Roy M. Prater, WL Tech 1, Region 4
Before planning a fishing trip to Douglas Reservoir anglers are encouraged to reference TEMA’s website for current water and fish consumption advisories.
RESERVOIR / WATER CONDITIONS: Water clarity is poor with less than 1 foot of visibility from Rankin Refuge to the I-40 bridge. Reservoir levels are relatively steady. Debris continues to be collected at the upper end of the reservoir with crews located up to Point 18. Anglers are advised to reference www.tva.com for the latest reservoir conditions. To better prepare for a day on the water forecasted weather can be accessed from the National Weather Service at https://forecast.weather.gov/
SUMMARY: The lake is receiving muddy water via the French Broad and Nolichucky rivers. Heavy storms from last weekend are still draining down both rivers and into the reservoir. Surface temperatures from Leadvale Access to mid-reservoir range from 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees at Flat Creek. A Shad die off in the Flat Creek area seems to have affected fishing in the drainage. Water quality in the Maguire Creek drainage is good. Boaters should be extra cautious when transiting from Point 17 up to the North Carolina border as falling water levels are exposing obstructions and semi-submerged debris.
Glenn Springs Lake 3-31-25
Report Contributor – Robert Arndt, Manager Glenn Springs Bait and Tackle – Facebook
At Glenn Spring in the last week we have seen an increase in Black Crappie caught on minnows in shallow and mid depth up to 12ft, Largemouth Bass caught , unsure what they’re biting on caught in deeper water around 15-20ft deep. Also Blue Catfish caught on Chicken Liver from the pier.
Great Falls – 4-3-25
Report Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions-
Conditions have been volatile like most springs are on Great Falls. The water level has been up and down, but are expected to rise again with the newest storm incoming. Current water levels are at 790’. Great Falls dam is releasing 3500-4500 cfs per day on average. The inflow to Great Falls is 2,500-3,500 cfs per day on average. The lower end of the reservoir has been in the 60’s with a 4’ visibility average. The upper end of the reservoir has better visibility with 9-12’ clarity and surface water temperatures in the mid-to-high 50’s. The Rocky, Calfkiller, and Collins rivers all have similar conditions with 3-5’ visibility and low 60’s surface water temperatures.
Bass- Fishing has been decent. Largemouth are being caught on mud flats with trees. The smallmouth bite up the Collins has slowed with fish moving upstream of Hennessy bridge due to low water conditions.
Crappie- Fishing is excellent. Reservoir wide you can catch crappie on any brush on mud banks as shallow as 5’ and as deep as 20’. Most crappie being caught are in the 10-12” range with some slabs mixed in. With the water temperatures hitting the 60’s, the bite may die down while the fish spawn.
Muskie- Fishing is decent. The Muskie are closing out their spawn, and hungry post spawn fish are being sought after with glide baits and paddle tail swim baits on mud flats with logs mixed in on the upper end of the reservoir.
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 4-9-25
Report Contributor – Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
River Conditions 4/09/25
Water temp- 53 to 57degrees
Water clarity – slightly stained
Water level – flows vary from 0 to 2 generator ( Go to TVA.com to check flow schedules) This tailwater schedule is posted after 6pm the previous day. Click on Lake Levels then Apalachia to view info.
River Conditions- The water rose and got muddy early this week but is clearing now. Water temps have dropped since last week. Fishing is good from Reliance upstream to the powerhouse. Its slow from Reliance to 411.
Hatches – BWO’ #16-18, light hendricksons #14, quill gordons #10, skwala stoneflies #8 and lots of tan caddis # 14 to 18
Flies to use
Dry flies- parachutes, comparaduns and emergers for the mayflies listed above
Orange stimulators # 8 to 12 for the skwalas
Elk hair caddis and X caddis
Nymphs
Pheasant tails #14 to 20
Pats rubber legs #10 to 12
Hares ear# 14 or hendrickson nymph #14
Wooly buggers in sizes 6 to 10 are always productive. Olive on sunny days and black on cloudy ones are a good rule to go by.
Kentucky Lake 4-10-25
Report Contributor – Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HIGH LAKE/DINGY WATER KEEP FISHING SCENE OFF BALANCE
Too much water best sums up the fishing scene lately across Kentucky Lake and the entire region. It’s going to get better, but this past week has thrown a real curve to the overall fishing scene as the reservoir is more than four feet above normal for mid-April. As this report was formulated elevation at Kentucky Dam was around 362. Normal summer pool is 359 so the lake has been high and muddy for most fishermen. Lots of floating debris out there too so be cautious when boating about.
Anglers are anxious to see when the reservoir will crest. That should happen soon. However, so much water to our north along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers has influenced the rate of discharge. TVA was discharging 129,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) on Thursday but that’s considerably less than a week ago due to flooding elsewhere. Soon as the crest occurs watch for TVA to increase discharge rates. Once the reservoir begins to fall it will help rid the lake of all the muddy water too.
Surface temperatures have been around 64 degrees and will warm more this weekend and early next week. Some crappie have been taken by anglers moving about searching for decent water color. For most it has been tough sledding, but a few boats moved about and found crappie biting in 8 to 12 foot depths. No doubt crappie will move up to buck bushes and shoreline habitat the longer the high water stays around. Bass are moving up too. Several nice stringers of catfish have been caught the last few days as well by shoreline fishermen.
Catfish really follow the rise and move up to new feeding opportunities along shallow shoreline bushes, trees and small pockets. They are definitely on the prowl right now. Night crawlers are working well.
A few bass fishermen are frantically searching about trying to establish a pattern but it’s tough to do right now as most fish are roaming. Some anglers are tossing spinnerbaits along the abundant shoreline habitat or flipping jig and craw combos or offering jerk baits and some floating fluke style baits in shallow grass as it warms up. Most bass fishermen when using a spinnerbait are utilizing a big willow-leaf blade and slow rolling it around stickups or over submerged grass beds. They’re fan casting and just trying to cover a lot of water rapidly.
Even a few bluegill and some early arriving red ear (shellcracker) sunfish are showing up in the shallow shoreline cover. Some decent stringers have been taken by anglers using nightcrawlers and wax worms. Although not spawning just yet the sunfish army moves rapidly when rising water and warmer surface temps coincide. Finding submerged grass beds mixed with some pea gravel substrates will likely pay dividends. These babies can get real aggressive real quick!
Meanwhile, crappie anglers are scratching their heads wondering how to pattern scattered fish these days. It should be the peak of spawning phases, but both the fish and the fishermen have been mixed up lately. So, watch for the slabs to make a blitz toward visible shoreline stickups each passing day. Lots of folks are yearning to find the crappie residing in the buck bushes of Kentucky Lake. Everyone likes to fish visible structure. They should get the opportunity these next few days.
The combination of stained water warming rapidly usually invites crappie to move up and spawn in shallow habitat. An abundance of floating debris has made it tough for trolling techniques lately. Long lining and spider rigging style methods are vulnerable to all the trash in the water that plays havoc with lines. It messes up the whole presentation.
With so much change taking place on the lake this past week—from cool fronts at times to flooding and muddy water—it has been challenging out there to say the least. Hang in there as better days are on the way. This high-water mess will be out of here soon.
Meanwhile, crappie and bass anglers are concerned about the fish running up shallow and dropping their eggs as falling lake levels occur. That’s a concern right now among the ranks of all fishermen on Kentucky Lake.
Nickajack Reservoir, 3-31-25
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather is warmer with lows around the 60’s and highs throughout the day as warm as 72. Current throughout the reservoir has slowed with Chickamauga Dam no longer spilling. Water visibility has improved slightly. The water levels are back to normal; 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. Wear life jackets if planning to go out during high water and heavy current conditions.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
Upper end of Lake: N/A
Lower end of Lake: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
Tennessee River (River Channel): 2.5 foot
Water Level: (as of March 29th)
Lake elevation: 633.95 feet
Tailwater elevation: 633.95 feet
Water Flow: (as of March 29th)
Chickamauga Dam: ~ 6535 cfs
Nickajack Dam: ~ 6977 cfs
Observed Species Information
Upper section of Lake:
Bass: No survey in this area since last report
Lower Section of Lake:
Bass: Fishing is good.
Anglers are throwing spinnerbaits, lipless cranks baits and swim baits around grass edges, rocky banks/points in inlets off main river channel and finding success.
Crappie: Fishing is fair.
Using live minnows as well as small jigs in coves off main river, mainly over submerged structure and old road beds.
Normandy Lake – 3-27-25
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
As the lake cleared up this week, fish became better, this should continue through April as fish start to move up for the spawn. While the best areas have been upriver, don’t overlook that lower end in the Riley Creek Area. Current water levels are at 874.49 and will drop over the weekend as TVA brings the lake down to the scheduled water level of 873.80. Crank baits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to. I was told anglers are still catching a few nice Walleye can be caught on flats and in the Duck River. Crappie are doing good as well on standing timber and brush piles. Water temperatures range from 55 to 58 degrees. The Sportsman’s Corner in Tullahoma has all the baits we use in stock, they also offer electronic classes and setup. Please Wear those Life Vest. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Norris Tailwater – 4-10-25
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Brown trout and rainbow trout are being stocked which has the trout fishing incredible along the tailwater.
Check TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating-guide and Norris lake-levels
Parksville Reservoir, March 31- 2025
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was rough with T-storms throughout the morning and temps in lows in the 50’s but highs getting up to 67 that evening. Water temps are steadily increasing due to the warm weather. Current throughout the reservoir has settled back to normal. Visibility has vastly improved throughout the reservoir. 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: 61.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity: 5 feet
Water Level: (as of March 31st)
828.21 feet
Water Flow: (as of March 31st)
Ocoee#1 Dam: ~ 1356 cfs
Ocoee#2 Dam: ~ 1199 cfs (spilling)
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Throwing jerk baits, spinnerbaits and swim baits around schools of bait in open water and creek mouths as well as shallow flats adjacent to river/creek channels. Live minnows in creek channels also attract bites. Bass should be starting to move up shallow in the coming weeks.
Yellow Perch: Fishing is fair. Anglers are finding bites using live minnows and small jigs in river channel on shallow flats and channel banks.
Percy Priest – 3-26-25
Report Contributor – Chris Snow, Guide at www.briancarper.com
Crappie fishing is in full swing now they have moved shallow to spawn. Float and minnow has been working best. Bass fishing is improving the pre spawn females are staging in about 8ft or less. Jerk baits and rattle traps have been good.
To learn more or get out on the water with us check out Brian Carper’s guide service at www.briancarper.com.
Tims Ford – 3-27-25
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Tim’s Ford is starting to show out. We’ve been having lots of fun on recent trips. Smallmouth and Largemouth are on the move towards the spawning flat as the water continued to warm this week. Some good fish can be caught on 3.5-inch swimbait, jerk baits using Forward Facing Sonar in open water areas like channel bends. We caught fish around transition areas with shad using jerk baits, 1/4oz Shaky Head with a finesse Trick worm and Sped Craws, Ned Rigs and ½ ounce Tightline Green Tequila Jig this week work around brush piles in 2 to 8 feet of water.
For the “Power Anglers” we have seen a improving spinnerbait and crank bait bite as well. Don’t pass up the opportunity to flip lay downs, especially around spawning flats with a Texas rigged soft plastics. Crappie are doing better than Bass; several guys have caught some really nice slabs using minnows and artificial grubs around lay downs and brush on the deeper docks.
The current Lake level is 883.41 with a forecasted level slowly rising to 883.39 over the weekend. Water temps are between 56 and 60 degrees on most of the lake. The next person will really appreciate it. The Sportsman’s Corner in Tullahoma has all the baits we use in stock, they also offer electronic classes and setup. Always wear your life vest while on the water, reminder just because the air temperatures are warmer, the water is still cold enough to kill you in the matter of minutes…WEAR YOUR LIFE VEST. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watts Bar – 4-9-25
Report Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is 740-741. The water temperature is 58-68 depending on where you are at what time of day. The main channel gravel beds and bluffs are great with a jerkbait and Shakey head. Moving up in the grass that chatterbait and swimming jig is hard to beat! Get on those 5-10 gravel and chunky rock and throw that shakey worm.
Watts Bar 4-10-25
Report Contributor – Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook
The fishing has been excellent the past couple of weeks for numerous species of fish. The recent cold front and water rising has slowed the bite down a little, but it should get a lot better over the next few days as the fish get used to depth. Black crappie have been stacked around shallow docks and lay downs in 1 – 5 feet of water. A small 1/32 – 1/16 jig with or without a float works well. White crappie are clinging to structure in 20 – 30′ of water. A 1/16 jig works well or a 1/8 on the windy days. I’ve been seeing plenty of bass busting and chasing fish in very shallow water. They are eating spawning panfish.
Watauga Lake – 3-20-25
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers – C and C Outfitters
Some good news on the Crappie this week. Some nice sized schools are showing up in the 10 ‘ 12 range. Bobby Garland type lures or a jig and minnow combo are working well. The fish are nice sized and full of eggs.
Bass fishing is good to very good with a lot of ways to catch them. Small swim baits, and crank baits below the bridge, with jerk baits and spinner baits producing well in the upper arms of the lake.
Walleye are still slow, but that will change soon.
Still good numbers of stocked Rainbow Trout (thanks TWRA) are being caught around the Rat Branch Recreation area on small spoons and spinners and power baits and night crawlers.
Stay safe on the water!
C and C Outfitters
Colton and Chip Chambers
423-707-8822
www.candcoutfitters.wixsite.
Woods Reservoir – 3-27-25
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Bass are starting to be real active and Crappie are better…guys say they are catching Crappie on Minnows some are being caught on soft plastic grubs. Bass are coming on a shaky head rigged finesse bait, Tennessee Rigs, Texas rigged D-Bombs and a Tightline Mussel Crawler Jig in Green Tequila. A few are being caught on crank baits and jerk baits. We found our better fish in 4 to 8 foot of water using Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and Carolina Rigs.
Water temperatures range from 57 to 64 degrees, depending on the area of the lake. The Sportsman’s Corner in Tullahoma has all the baits we use in stock, they also offer electronic classes and setup. 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
