TWRA Fishing Forecast
TWRA WEEKLY FISHING FORECAST (04-25-2025)
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 – 4-24-25
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers – C and C Outfitters – C & C Outfitters Facebook
Bass fishing is decent, lots of fish starting to find beds. There is a pretty consistent soft plastic, spinnerbait bite and still some good catches coming on small swimbaits.
Some Hybrids showing up on chicken livers on the bottom in the mid lake area as well as some nice sized channel cats. Stripers seemed like they took an off week but should start to bite a little more consistent.
Crappie fishing is still pretty good, 5-7 ‘ on a float and live minnow combo. Shallow brush seems to be producing better than docks.
Stay safe on the water and good luck!
C and C Outfitters
Colton and Chip Chambers
423-707-8822
Center Hill Tailwater (Caney Fork River) – 4-11-25
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions-
https://www.tva.com/
Center Hill Dam has been generating 3 units 24/7 for the past few days after dealing with the recent floods. They will probably start to taper the generation back this weekend so keep an eye on the flows. Water temperatures have been holding at 51F.
Trout- Fishing is good. Some anglers have been having catching dozens of fish while others have struggled. If you are not getting bit, switch it up with baits or location. We stocked several thousand advanced-fingerling Brown Trout (~8 inches) last week and folks have been catching them. A typical Brown is going to need to survive 4-5 years in the Caney before it reaches legal-size at 24 inches, so safe catch-and-release is important. The Rainbows are going to be stocked three times a month in April to help keep up with the busier season. Live minnows, flukes, and clousers should be your starting point. In a few weeks when it warms up, we will start getting different hatches from in the water and terrestrial things falling into the water.
Other- Skipjack are at the dam in decent numbers and a few White Bass as well. Any kind of minnow presentation should keep you busy.
Center Hill – 4-24-25
Report Contributor – Chris Snow, Guide at www.briancarper.com
Bass are beginning to move shallower with the water level staying stable now. Floating worms and spinnerbaits have been good around points and backs of pockets. I have been fishing Percy Priest for the last couple of days and the bass along with the crappie are still spawning and some very good stringers being caught.
To learn more or get out on the water with us check out Brian Carper’s guide service at www.briancarper.com.
Center Hill – 4-23-25
Report Contributor – James Bond, 007’s Guide Service – 007’s Guide Service
Water temp- 67 degrees and stained.
Bass– The bass are pouring into shallow water. It’s spawn time! If you can find a creek or a pocket with clean water, it’s game on!
Crappie– the crappie bite is still going strong, and we are still catching females that have not spawned yet. The bait of choice has been a jig head and baby battle shad in various colors. Most of the crappie I’m seeing are around timber or flooded brush along the banks.
Walleye- the walleye bite has been very slow for most people for several weeks now. As they begin to move back out of the headwaters, they will fall back to their normal spots along the way. The few we have caught in the last week have all been in less than 15 ft of water on a jig and minnow or a jig and plastic minnow imitation. Natural colors are working better than typical bright colored walleye baits.
Catfish- the flatheads are on the move and are following the shad schools up and down the river. Live bait will be your best bet for a while.
For booking information call James at 601-720-6193 or visit us on Facebook at the following link https://www.facebook.com/
James Bond, 007’s Guide Service, Smithville, TN 601-720-6193
Chickamauga – 4-17-25
Report Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook and www.riprapfishing.net
Chickamauga is 681 the water temperature is 62-67. The rotation to the beds is underway and the Shad spawn is trying to get going. With all this movement going on there are many ways to catch the bass right now. The shallow shell beds on the main channels are great as you need to move through them with a Swimbait and have Neko rig or Jig ready. The drains and ditches are great to check with a shallow square bill or Swimbait get to the back in the spawning coves have a jig a wacky rig and Texas rigged. Creature bait. As always electronics are important and can help you eliminate water much quicker.
Dale Hollow – 4-24-25
Report Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions-
Dale Hollow Dam is generating 1,180 cfs of outflow per day on average. The reservoir elevation is hovering around summer pool at 650’. The water clarity remains good reservoir wide with the average clarity around 6-8’. The water temperatures reservoir wide is in the high 60’s to low 70’s. The current moon phase of this writing is waning crescent, with the next full moon coming May 12th. Watch for floating debris reservoir wide.
Bass– Fishing is good. This is the time of year where you can catch them however you want. The smallmouth are 80% done with their spawn, and have moved from the bank into the 10-15’ range. You can target smallmouth in that depth range around main lake points or gravel banks with grass. You can also find smallmouth suspended around baitfish in creek channels that connect with other channels 20’ down. Use small swimbaits, live bait, topwater, or finesse presentations. The largemouth are in all three phases of the spawn and can be found on any bank reservoir wide. Topwater, flipping, wacky rigs, or large swimbaits will keep you busy all day.
Sunfish- Fishing is good. Sunfish are being caught up shallow in the back flats of creek arms around brush, main lake grass, and bluff wall banks on worms and jigs.
Catfish- Fishing is good. Catfish are up shallow in creek arms in 5-10’ and are being caught on limb lines and worms by pan fisherman.
Crappie- Fishing is slow. The crappie are in a funk. They’re showing the behavior of post spawn fish, but anglers are catching fish with eggs still, so another wave of spawners may be coming in a week or so. Anglers are catching suspended fish around brush and bait in 15-20’ with jigs and minnows.
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 – 4-24-25
Report Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions-
Great Falls Dam is generating 1,800 cfs of outflow on average and taking in 1,350 cfs of inflow. The reservoir elevation has been dropped to 788’ the last few days but is expected to skyrocket to 797’ in the upcoming days. Water is still cooler and clearer on the upper end (8’, 62 degrees) versus the lower end (4’ 66 degrees). The tributaries have about the same water qualities (4’ 66 degrees).
Crappie- Fishing is decent. The bite isn’t as hot as it has been in April, but limits are still being caught by anglers. Anglers with the most luck are catching fish schooled up on either deep brush or suspended off trees in the channel in 20-25 FOW. Lots of crappie still have eggs and probably have pulled off with the water getting drawn down, these fish may still go up and spawn again shallow on brush with the water coming back up.
Bass- Fishing is good. Target mud banks with brush or rock transition banks with trees. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, flipping and wacky rigs should be players. Bass are in all three stages of the spawn.
Muskellunge- Fishing is decent. Target Musky shallow on mud banks with downed trees or standing timber in the 3-5’ range from the Hwy 70 bridge downstream. Pull baits or glide baits.
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 4-23-25
Report Contributor – Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
Water temp- 53 to 57degrees
Water clarity – clear
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 is clear and is having low flows for most of the day.
Hatches – BWO’ #16-18, tan caddis #14 to #16
Flies to use
Dry flies- parachutes, comparaduns and emergers for the mayflies listed above
Elk hair caddis and X caddis #14 & #18
Nymphs
Pheasant tails #14 to 20
Pats rubber legs #10 to 12
Caddis pupae and emergent sparkle pupae
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 4-24-25
Report Contributor – Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKE RETURNS TO NORMAL LEVEL AND COLOR…REDEAR/BLLUEGILL BITE IMPROVES
Lake levels are back to normal range as watercolor improves. The overall Kentucky Lake fishing scene has improved for most anglers who are glad to see normalcy return. The reservoir is now dancing around the summer pool mark after weeks of high muddy water. Falling lake levels last week pulled a lot of the muddy water out of big bays and the open water areas are improving too.
Surface temperatures this week rose to the upper 60’s. Across the Paris Landing sector the lake is in good shape. Slight fluctuations have been occurring, but the reservoir is in the range of normal summer pool, which is 359.
Shoreline fishermen are beginning to see an improvement in both bluegill and shellcracker (red ear sunfish) activity this week as the powerful panfish move up in preparation for spawning. Once surface temps reach the low 70’s bluegill will begin their early phases around shallow weed beds, gravel banks and bushes. By next week anglers can expect increased activity. They’re already moving shallow and biting, but active spawning phases are still on the threshold of kicking in.
The first full moon in May occurs May 12 this year. Look for peak phases of spawning to be underway in that time frame.
Some nice size shellcracker have already been taken by anglers working grass beds, buck bushes, blowdowns and those pea gravel mud mixed areas back in pockets off the main lake. Most credit their catches to waxworms, redworms and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom or with bobbers set at a depth where the bait is right at the bottom. The bite should hold up for the next few weeks.
Bass anglers have been busy tossing spinnerbaits, Texas rigged craws and worms around buck bushes and dead grass beds or various stickups. A few credit their catches to floating worms and various jerk baits as the topwater bite has improved. There are always a few boats backing off the shorelines and fishing sloping points and ledges as some post-spawn bass slowly head back out from shallow spawning territory. Secondary sandbars back off the shorelines are holding bass now.
Successful lure choices have ranged from Carolina rigged worms and craws to crankbaits and swimbaits. Texas rigged worms and craws have worked too in colors ranging from green pumpkin pepper to red-shad and Tequila sunrise just to name a few. There’s still lots of bass relating to shallow shoreline structure. Pitching and flipping techniques are still worthy of consideration as a jig and craw tossed in the right spot will pay dividends.
Catfish continue to prowl shallow shoreline structure and that will last for a few more weeks. Soon the catfish will target rocky bluffs and shoreline crevices for spawning. Signs of that are already underway. Rocky banks along the shoreline such as rip-rap limestone on levees and roadbeds will be good choices.
Crappie anglers have been playing cat and mouse for several weeks as the reservoir was unstable as to both lake levels and watercolor. High winds have played havoc with a lot of open water crappie fishermen this spring as well. Since lake levels have settled down fishermen are finding most of their fish in the 7-to-14-foot depth range. Several crappie have been taken by such methods as drifting, slow trolling Road Runner style jigs and pushing the multipole spider rigs out over shallow main lake flats as well as back in the bays.
Just exactly when the peak of spawning phases occurred the last few weeks has been somewhat confusing to a wide range of anglers. While some had hoped to find fish moving up to shoreline buck bushes and stickups that party never really occurred like they hoped it would. It appears most of the fish spawned in midrange structure out away from the shoreline in manmade fish attractors that were scattered in midrange depths that ranged from 8 to 14 feet. Some fish have move up to 4-to-8-foot depths up Big Sandy but it seems more were taken out a bit deeper as fishermen vertical fished jigs over structure while others trolled over suspended schools of baitfish and found the crappie roaming with the balls of baitfish.
Warmer days and more stability are now in the cards for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Late April and May usually offer nice fishing conditions. Bring it on!
Nickajack Reservoir, April 13-14, 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was cooler with lows around the 30’s but warmed up to highs throughout the day as warm as 81. Current throughout the reservoir was high Sunday but significantly lower on Monday. Water visibility has improved slightly. The water levels are 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: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit
Lower end of Lake: 64.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
Tennessee River (River Channel): 3 feet
Water Level: (as of April 14th)
Lake elevation: 634.10 feet
Tailwater elevation: 634.18 feet
Water Flow: (as of April 14th)
Chickamauga Dam: ~ 7217 cfs
Nickajack Dam: ~ 8747 cfs
Observed Species Information
Upper section of Lake:
Bass: 3–4-inch swimbaits, ned rigs, and crankbaits along current breaks below dam as well as around rocky banks.
Lower Section of Lake:
Bass: Fishing is good.
Anglers are throwing swimbaits and Texas rigs 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 roadbeds.
Normandy Lake – 4-15-25
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Lots of great fishing to be done on Normandy. While the best areas have been upriver, don’t overlook that lower end in the Carol Creek Area. Current water levels are at 874.73 and will drop very little over the weekend as TVA brings the lake down to the scheduled water level of 874.83. Crankbaits, 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 61 to 67 degrees. Please Wear those Life Vest. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Norris 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 fluorocarbon.
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 Jerk bait.
If you would like to book a trip to see it firsthand message me.
Hope this helps.
Good fishing and God Bless!
Message me to book a trip.
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Norris Tailwater – 4-17-25
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Brown Trout were stocked at the end of March and beginning of April. Rainbow Trout are being stocked monthly. These fish are smart, match the hatch!!
Check TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating-guide and Norris lake-levels
Parksville Reservoir, April 11-12, 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was cooler throughout the weekend with lows in the upper 30’s and highs around 58. Water temps are steady due to the cool weather. Current throughout the reservoir has settled back to normal. Visibility has vastly improved throughout the reservoir, but storms have caused the upper portion of the lake to become muddy. 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: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity: Upper: 1.5 ft
Lower: 6 ft
Water Level: (as of April 12th)
828.16 feet
Water Flow: (as of April 12th)
Ocoee#1 Dam: ~ 1992 cfs
Ocoee#2 Dam: ~ 1900 cfs (spilling)
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Throwing jerk baits, crankbaits and swimbaits around logs in clearer water sloughs. Also ned rigs and other sift plastic rigs around points with structure.
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 – 4-15-25
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Tim’s Ford has turned the corner, we’ve been having lots of fun on recent trips and tournaments. Smallmouth and Largemouth have moved to the spawning flat as the water continued to warm this week. Some good fish can be caught on 3.5-inch swimbait, jerk baits and spinner baits. 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 topwater, spinnerbait and crankbait bite as well. Don’t pass up the opportunity to flip laydowns, 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 laydowns and brush on the deeper docks. The current Lake level is 886.59 with a forecasted level slowly failing to 886.19 over the weekend. Water temps are between 62 and 67 degrees on most of the lake. The next person will really appreciate it. 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 – 4-17-25
Report Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is 739-740 with water temps in low to mid 60s. The transition is underway to the shallows all three species of bass are in and out the gravel bars are great in 6-10 ft a shallow crankbait and Swimbait can cover these areas. The wood and grass are great with a swim jig and Swimbait. The shallow water demands a creature bait and a Senko. As always electronics are great for eliminating time and unproductive water.
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 – 4-24-25
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers – C and C Outfitters
Bass fishing is the good word on Watauga this week! Some great Smallmouth catches have come in, your favorite soft plastics on a Texas rig with a 1/8 oz sinker. Also, a good Largemouth and spotted bass bite on Spinnerbaits and even some top water action around brush.
A few walleye were caught last week in the favorable moon cycle on deep diving jerk baits in the upper end of the lake.
Trout trolling and crappie have been slow.
C and C Outfitters
Colton and Chip Chambers
423-707-8822
www.candcoutfitters.wixsite.
Woods Reservoir – 4-15-25
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Bass are real active on all fronts from top water buzz baits to crankbaits 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, buzz baits, Spinnerbaits, Tennessee Rigs, Texas rigged D-Bombs and a Tightline Mussell Crawler Jig in Green Tequila or Golden Flash. A few are being caught on crankbaits 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 63 to 69 degrees, depending on the area of the lake. 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
