TWRA Fishing Reports
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Region:: TWRA Region 3 Office, TWRA Cumberland Plateau
Region 3 Creel Clerk Report
June 27, 2018
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.26 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 682.06 feet. The water surface temperature is 83 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Locate large water flats with grass or offshore humps and ledges. Some of the grass is on the surface. Plastic worms and top water baits are being used in the grass. The deep water bass are being caught while using all the deep water tackle normally used.
Smallmouth Bass: Upper reservoir and lower reservoir anglers will have increased odds of catching a smallmouth. Crankbaits or small profile plastic worms are being used more often than other baits.
Crappie: Fish brush in 8 to 30 feet with jigs or minnows. Some fish are being caught around docks. Limits of crappie are being caught by proficient anglers.
Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Tailwater fish are being caught. Some anglers are catching some fish very early while using topwater lures.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms, crickets, or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many fish are bedding. Many are along the bluff walls.
Walleye: No observations.
Catfish: More fish seem to be caught while using smaller profile meaty baits such as shrimp. The bigger the bait, the bigger the fish being caught.
White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the middle and lower lake. Spoons, spinner type lures or some top water baits can be used to catch fish.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.57 feet. The water surface temperature is 83 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Most fish are in large water locations. These areas are primary points, ledges or humps. Use spoons, plastic worms, jigs or crankbaits. A few anglers are catching fish up in the creeks as far as they can maneuver their boat after the storms and fresh water runoff.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks. Most fish are being caught at night.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 feet are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting. Some fish are structure related and others are suspended. A few dock fish are being caught.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. A lot of fish are being caught.
Walleye: No observations.
Striped Bass: Most anglers are using shad in the area below Ft.
Loudon Dam. Some anglers are using shad and trolling with planer boards in the Clinch River.
White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the mid lake especially late in the day. Use spoons, roostertails, or topwater.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks. Several fish are still bedding.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 84 degrees. The water level is at 648 feet and the lake is rising.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught on spinner baits and vibrating jigs while fishing grass in 15-20 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Several largemouths are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing grass in 10 feet of water.
Crappie and White Bass: A few are being caught at night while fishing under lights using shad in 15 feet of water.
Walleye: Several walleye are being caught on night crawler rigs while trolling flats in 25 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Some bluegill and shellcrackers are being caught on the bluffs with crickets and night crawlers in 15 feet of water.
Caney Fork River
Trout: Fishing is good during periods of no flow. Lots of trout are being caught on flies and night crawlers. During periods of generation a few big trout are being caught on shad.
Stripers: A few stripers are being caught near Gordonsville on shad.
Region 3 Creel Clerk Report
June 27, 2018
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.26 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 682.06 feet. The water surface temperature is 83 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Locate large water flats with grass or offshore humps and ledges. Some of the grass is on the surface. Plastic worms and top water baits are being used in the grass. The deep water bass are being caught while using all the deep water tackle normally used.
Smallmouth Bass: Upper reservoir and lower reservoir anglers will have increased odds of catching a smallmouth. Crankbaits or small profile plastic worms are being used more often than other baits.
Crappie: Fish brush in 8 to 30 feet with jigs or minnows. Some fish are being caught around docks. Limits of crappie are being caught by proficient anglers.
Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Tailwater fish are being caught. Some anglers are catching some fish very early while using topwater lures.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms, crickets, or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many fish are bedding. Many are along the bluff walls.
Walleye: No observations.
Catfish: More fish seem to be caught while using smaller profile meaty baits such as shrimp. The bigger the bait, the bigger the fish being caught.
White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the middle and lower lake. Spoons, spinner type lures or some top water baits can be used to catch fish.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.57 feet. The water surface temperature is 83 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Most fish are in large water locations. These areas are primary points, ledges or humps. Use spoons, plastic worms, jigs or crankbaits. A few anglers are catching fish up in the creeks as far as they can maneuver their boat after the storms and fresh water runoff.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks. Most fish are being caught at night.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 feet are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting. Some fish are structure related and others are suspended. A few dock fish are being caught.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. A lot of fish are being caught.
Walleye: No observations.
Striped Bass: Most anglers are using shad in the area below Ft.
Loudon Dam. Some anglers are using shad and trolling with planer boards in the Clinch River.
White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the mid lake especially late in the day. Use spoons, roostertails, or topwater.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks. Several fish are still bedding.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 84 degrees. The water level is at 648 feet and the lake is rising.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught on spinner baits and vibrating jigs while fishing grass in 15-20 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Several largemouths are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing grass in 10 feet of water.
Crappie and White Bass: A few are being caught at night while fishing under lights using shad in 15 feet of water.
Walleye: Several walleye are being caught on night crawler rigs while trolling flats in 25 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Some bluegill and shellcrackers are being caught on the bluffs with crickets and night crawlers in 15 feet of water.
Caney Fork River
Trout: Fishing is good during periods of no flow. Lots of trout are being caught on flies and night crawlers. During periods of generation a few big trout are being caught on shad.
Stripers: A few stripers are being caught near Gordonsville on shad.
June 20, 2018 Fishing Report
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.26 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 682.03 feet. The water surface temperature is 82 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Locate large water flats with grass or offshore humps and ledges. Spinnerbaits or some top water baits are productive flat baits and crankbaits or plastic worms are the ledge baits. Be prepared for a crowd.
Smallmouth Bass: No observations.
Crappie: Fish brush in 8 to 30 feet with jigs or minnows. Some fish are being caught around docks.
Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Tailwater fish are being caught.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many are bedding. Many are along the bluff walls.
Walleye: No observations.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits. All areas of the river are good.
White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the middle and lower lake. Spoons, spinner type lures or some top water baits can be used to catch fish.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.7 feet. The water surface temperature is 81 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Most fish are in large water locations. These areas are primary points, ledges or humps. Use spoons, plastic worms, jigs or crankbaits.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks. Most fish are being caught at night.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 deep are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting. Some fish are structure related and others are suspended.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Fish deep near rocky river banks.
Walleye: No observations.
Striped Bass: Most anglers are using shad in the area below Ft. Loudon Dam. Some anglers are using shad and trolling with planer boards in the Clinch River.
White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the mid lake especially late in the day. Use spoons, roostertails, or topwater.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks. Several fish are still bedding.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 86 degrees. The water level is at 649 feet and the lake is falling.
Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught early in the mornings on topwater baits while fishing points on the main lake.
Largemouth Bass: Several largemouths are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing grass in 10 feet of water.
White Bass: A few white bass are being caught at night while fishing with shad under the lights in 10 feet of water.
Crappie: A few crappie are being caught at night while fishing under lights using shad.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught at night and during the day while trolling night crawler rigs and crank baits on flats in 25 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: A few bluegill and shellcrackers are being caught on bluffs with crickets in 10 feet of water.
Caney Fork River
Trout: Fishing is good during periods of no flow. Lots of trout are being caught on flies and night crawlers. During periods of generation a few big trout are being caught on shad.
Stripers: A few stripers are being caught near Gordonsville on shad.
JUNE 13, 2018 FISHING REPORT
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.26 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 681.94 feet. The water surface temperature is 73 degrees in the river and up to 85 degrees in the shallows.
Largemouth Bass: A lot of fish are being caught shallow in or around the weeds. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and top water lures are being used. Most productive shallow areas are influenced by the river current. Fish can also be caught in offshore locations around humps, drops, and points. Use the normal arsenal required for open water angling.
Smallmouth Bass: Some lower lake fish are being caught on the deeper rocky banks. Some upper river fish are being caught. Crankbaits or smaller profile plastic worms are being used. The upper river bite is slower than in previous weeks.
Crappie: Fish brush in 8 to 30 feet with jigs or minnows. Some fish are being caught around docks.
Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Tailwater fish are being caught.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many are bedding.
Walleye: No observations.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits. All areas of the river are good.
White Bass: A few river anglers are catching a few fish.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.88 feet. The water surface temperature is 85 degrees in the shallow water and below 70 degrees in the upper
Clinch River.
Largemouth Bass: Most fish are moving or have already moved to large water locations. Use spoons, plastic worms, jigs or crankbaits.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 deep are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Fish deep near rocky river banks.
Walleye: No observations.
Striped Bass: Most anglers are using shad in the area below Ft. Loudon Dam. Some anglers are using shad and trolling with planer boards in the Clinch River.
White Bass: More fish are being caught in the upper river while using jigs or crankbaits.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks. Several fish are still bedding.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 83 degrees. The water level is at 649 feet and the lake has fallen.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught at night on jigs, soft plastics and spinner baits while fishing points and grass in 5-15 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught on soft plastics while fishing grass and shallow wood in 10-15 feet of water.
White Bass: A few white bass are being caught at night while fishing with shad under the lights in 10 feet of water.
Crappie: A few crappie are being caught at night while fishing under lights using shad.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling at night with crank baits in 15-20 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Several bluegill are being caught on crickets while fishing gravel pockets in 10 feet of water.
Caney Fork River
Trout: Fishing is good during periods of no flow. Lots of trout are being caught on flies and night crawlers. During periods of generation a few big trout are being caught on shad.
Stripers: A few stripers are being caught near Gordonsville on shad.
June 6, 2018 Fishing Report
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.26 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 682.72 feet. The water surface temperature is 81 degrees in the shallows.
Largemouth Bass: A lot of fish are being caught shallow in or around the weeds. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and top water lures are being used. Fish can also be caught in offshore locations around humps, drops, and points.
Smallmouth Bass: Some lower lake fish are being caught on the deeper rocky banks. Plastic worms or crankbaits are being used. Most fish caught are upper reservoir fish. Crankbaits and small profile plastic worms are the better baits being used.
Crappie: Fish brush in 8 to 10 feet with jigs or minnows. Some deeper fish can be caught. Some fish are being caught around docks.
Striped bass: The tailwater below the dam is dangerous and most anglers are staying away.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many are bedding.
Walleye: No observations.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits. All areas of the river are good.
White Bass: A few river anglers are catching a few fish.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 741.54 feet. The water surface temperature is 81 degrees in the shallow water.
Largemouth Bass: Most fish are in transition. Target secondary points, ledges, or humps. Plastic worms or crankbaits are being used by many anglers.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 deep are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Fish deep near rocky river banks.
Walleye: No observations.
Striped Bass: The tailwater is dangerous and not many anglers are in the area.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 82 degrees. The water level is at 650 feet and the lake is stable.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught at night on jigs, soft plastics and spinner baits while fishing points in 10-12 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing shallow wood and grass in 5-15 feet of water.
White Bass: A few white bass are being caught at night while fishing with shad under the lights in 10 feet of water.
Crappie: A few crappie are being caught at night while fishing under lights using shad.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on crank baits and jerk baits fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Lots of fish are being caught on crickets and night crawlers near the willows in 5 feet of water.
Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 84 degrees. Lake is stable and the water level is at 634 feet.
Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught at night while fishing spinner baits and jigs on channel banks in 5-15 feet of water.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Several fish are being caught on soft plastics at night while fishing points and brush piles in 5-15 feet of water.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Several fish are being caught on night crawlers and crickets on gravel banks and pockets in 5 feet of water.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near the big island while trolling night crawlers in 15-20 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles while baited with shad.
MAY 31, 2018
Region 3 Fishing Report
May 31, 2018
Chickamauga Reservoir
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 682.28 feet. The water surface temperature is 84 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Some bass are shallow and others are being caught along the ledges in open water. Crankbaits, plastic worms, and topwater lures are being used more often than other lures.
Smallmouth Bass: Lower and upper reservoir fish are being caught. The tailwater below Watts Bar Dam is fishing good with anglers catching several bass over 18 inches. Small profile plastic worms rigged various ways seem to be better than other lures.
Crappie: Use jigs or minnows around docks, brush, or blowdowns. Target water 10 feet or deeper. Large secondary areas should be where the angler should start their search.
Striped bass: A few fish are being caught. Use shad or swimbaits.
Bluegill/Redear: Some fish are spawning. Use small jigs or worms/crickets.
Walleye: Trolling crankbaits in the tailwater below Watts Bar Dam is the easy way to catch a few walleye. Some anglers are using live bait.
Catfish: Use meaty baits in the main channel. Several big fish are being caught.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet. Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.4 feet. The water surface temperature is 84 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Some shallow fish are being caught in a few areas. Many bass are moving into the deeper areas or large water areas. Humps, points and ledges are starting to be the best areas. Some of the better fishing is occurring in the large secondary water.
Smallmouth Bass: Jigs, crankbaits, and plastic worms are being used in the larger water. Sloping rocky banks in the bigger water is better for many anglers.
Walleye: Night anglers are catching more fish than day anglers. Trolling crankbaits or using live bait is the best choice.
Crappie: Jigs or minnows used around boat docks, blowdowns, or submerged brush are the combinations that are successfully being
used.
Catfish: Use meaty baits in the river. Some big fish are being caught.
Striped bass: Surface feeding in the early morning hours is occurring. Use large baits on the surface or baits that run just below the surface for the best results. After the surface feeding is over the odds of catching fish will increase with live bait. A couple of mornings the number of fish caught were great and a couple of fish up to 35 pounds were caught.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 81 degrees. The water level is at 650 feet and the lake is stable.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught at night on jigs, soft plastics and spinner baits while fishing points in 10-12 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing shallow wood and grass in 5-15 feet of water.
White Bass: A few white bass are being caught at night while fishing with shad under the lights in 10 feet of water.
Crappie: A few crappie are being caught at night while fishing under lights using shad.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on crank baits and jerk baits fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Lots of fish are being caught on crickets and night crawlers near the willows in 5 feet of water.
Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 83 degrees. Lake is stable and the water level is at 631 feet.
Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught at night while fishing spinner baits and jigs on channel banks in 5-15 feet of water.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Several fish are being caught on soft plastics at night while fishing points and brush piles in 5-15 feet of water.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Several fish are being caught on night crawlers and crickets on gravel banks and pockets in 5 feet of water.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near the big island while trolling night crawlers in 15-20 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles while baited with shad.
May 24, 2018
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.26 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 681.98 feet. The water surface temperature is 81 degrees in the shallows.
Largemouth Bass: Most shallow fish are males. Most heavy fish are moving into ditches in secondary water or can be found along flats or ledges in deeper areas. Swimbaits or worms are being used more often than other lures.
Smallmouth Bass: Fish the tailwaters below Watts Bar Dam for the best action and bigger fish. Small profile plastic worms will trigger bites.
Crappie: Fish brush in 8 to 10 feet with jigs or minnows. Deeper fish can be caught.
Striped bass: A few fish are being caught in the tailwaters while using shad.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many are bedding.
Walleye: Troll crankbaits in the tailwaters until a fish is caught. Concentrate your efforts on that area.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits. All areas of the river are good.
White Bass: Tailwater anglers are catching fish while using spoons, crankbaits, or shad.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.47 feet. The water surface temperature is 81 degrees in the shallow water.
Largemouth Bass: Most shallow fish are males. The bigger fish are moving out. Plastic worms are good.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 deep are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Fish deep near rocky river banks.
Walleye: No observations.
Striped Bass: Friday and Saturday morning there were a lot of striped bass on the surface feeding. The bait did not seem to matter a lot. Over a hundred fish were caught up to 35 pounds.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 80 degrees. The water level is at 650 feet and the lake is falling.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught on swimbaits while fishing points in 5-15 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught on top water baits around grass in 5-10 feet of water.
White Bass: Lots of white bass are being caught in the jumps near Shear Pin Pass and near Eagle Creek early in the mornings.
Crappie: Slow.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on crank baits and jerk baits fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Lots of fish are being caught on crickets and night crawlers near the willows in 5 feet of water.
Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 82 degrees. Lake is stable and the water level is at 631 feet.
Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught while fishing swimbaits on gravel banks in 15 feet of water.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Several fish are being caught on top water baits fishing in the creeks over 5-10 feet of water.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Several fish are being caught on night crawlers and crickets on gravel banks and pockets in 5 feet of water.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near the big island while trolling night crawlers in 15-18 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles while baited with shad.
May 16, 2018 Fishing Report
Chickamauga
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 681.95 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 681.98 feet. The water surface temperature is 79 degrees in the shallows.
Largemouth Bass: Some fish are bedding. Many males are shallow. Some of the bigger bass are moving out into some bigger water. Creature baits are productive now.
Smallmouth Bass: A few fish are being caught on the lower end. The upper end is where some large smallmouth are being caught. The better action seems to be near the end.
Crappie: Some crappie are still spawning. The bigger number of crappie are in 10 to 20 foot of water suspended in deeper water.
Striped bass: A few fish are being caught in the tailwaters while using shad.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in shallow water. Many are bedding.
Walleye: Trolling crankbaits in the tailwater will allow a few fish to be caught.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits. The lower lake is fishing better right now. Target water below Sequoyah.
White Bass: Tailwater anglers are catching fish while using spoons, crankbaits, or shad.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.72 feet. The water surface temperature is 77 in the shallow water.
Largemouth Bass: Many anglers are not locating many fish. Several fish are bedding. Plastic worms are the best bait. Some of the females are moving into deeper water.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 deep is the type of area that many anglers are targeting.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Some fish are shallow and some are deep. Fish close to deep rocky banks.
Walleye: No observations.
White Bass: More fish are being caught in the upper river while using jigs or crankbaits.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 79 degrees. The water level is at 650 feet and the lake is stable.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught at night on spinnerbaits while fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught early in the mornings or late in the afternoons on top water baits around laydown trees.
Crappie: Slow.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on crank baits and jerk baits fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Lots of fish are being caught on crickets and night crawlers near the willows in 5 feet of water.
Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 81 degrees. Lake is stable and the water level is at 631 feet.
Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught while fishing swimbaits on gravel banks in 15 feet of water.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Several fish are being caught on top water baits fishing in the creeks over 5-10 feet of water.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Several fish are being caught on night crawlers and crickets on gravel banks and pockets in 5 feet of water.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near Sligo while trolling in 15 feet of water with night crawlers.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles while baited with shad.
May 09, 2018 Fishing Report
Chickamauga Reservoir
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 681.98 feet. The water surface temperature is 77 degrees in the shallow bays and any water affected by the river is 67 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Fish in excess of 10 pounds continue to be caught. Fish are deep, shallow and in between. The majority are shallow and many are spawning. Use plastic worms for the better success.
Smallmouth Bass: Some crankbaiters and spooners are catching fish in the tailwaters and along some of the rocky banks downstream.
Crappie: Some crappie are spawning. The bigger numbers of crappie are in 10 to 15 feet of water buried deep in brush piles. Use minnows or jigs.
Striped bass: A few fish are being caught in the tailwaters while using shad.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in shallow water.
Walleye: Rocky humps are being targeted in the moving water in the tailwaters. A few fish are being caught.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits. The lower lake is fishing better right now. Target the water below Sequoyah.
White Bass: Tailwater anglers are catching fish while using spoons, crankbaits, or shad.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.45 feet. The water surface temperature is 74 in the shallow water and the river is in the upper 60’s.
Largemouth Bass: A lot of anglers are fishing main lake banks. Few anglers are catching a lot of fish on the main lake although a 6 pound fish was caught in these waters recently. Several fish are currently spawning. Plastic worms are the better bait.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 deep are yielding some 15 inch crappie. Brush in 15 feet of water seems to be the best bet.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Some fish are shallow and some are deep. The larger catches both quality and quantity are coming from the river channel.
Walleye: No observations.
White Bass: More fish are being caught in the upper river while using jigs or crankbaits.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 70 degrees. The water level is at 651 feet and the lake is stable.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught on swimbaits and live baits while fishing flats and points in 10-15 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Several largemouths are being caught while flipping soft plastics and fishing top water baits around shallow cover in the creeks.
Crappie: A few fish are being caught in the willows on minnows in 5 feet of water.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on crank baits and jerk baits fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Several fish are being caught on crickets and night crawlers while fishing gravel banks and pockets in 5 feet of water.
Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 72 degrees. Lake is stable and the water level is at 633 feet.
Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught while fishing swimbaits on gravel banks in 15 feet of water.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Several fish are being caught on top water baits fishing in the creeks over 5-10 feet of water.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Several fish are being caught on night crawlers and crickets on gravel banks and pockets in 5 feet of water.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near Sligo while trolling in 15 feet of water with night crawlers.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on noodles while baited with shad.
MAY 02, 2018
Chickamauga Reservoir
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 682.81 feet. The water surface temperature is 61 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Some big fish are being caught. It seems as many deep fish are being caught as shallow fish. A complete arsenal is needed.
Smallmouth Bass: Some smallmouth bass are being caught along the steep banks in the larger creeks while using jigs or crankbaits. Upper river anglers are catching smallmouth while casting crankbaits along the river bluffs.
Crappie: Open water drifters are catching secondary fish while using minnows or jigs.
Striped bass: A few fish are being caught in the tailwaters while using shad.
Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in the ditches or cuts that run from the main channel to catch several fish. Fish are also being caught along the banks that have 3 to 5 feet of water leading into the spawning areas.
Walleye: No observations.
Catfish: Some big fish are being caught in the larger water while using a variety of meaty baits.
White Bass: Fish the upper reservoir banks with a crankbait.
Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.58 feet. The water surface temperature is 60 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Several tournaments did occur Saturday. Many anglers are fishing the deep main lake banks. Some anglers are fishing the shallow coves. A wide variety of lures are being used.
Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake banks by anglers using crankbaits.
Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 15 to 30 deep are yielding some 15 inch crappie.
Catfish: Use anything meaty. Every angler has a favorite and a reason it is their favorite. Some fish are shallow and some are deep.
Walleye: No observations.
White Bass: More fish are being caught in the upper river while using jigs or crankbaits.
Bluegill: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks.
Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is excellent and the water temperature is 62 degrees. The water level is at 651 feet and the lake is stable.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots smallmouths are being caught on swimbaits while fishing flats and main lake points in 10-12 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught while flipping soft plastics around shallow woody cover.
Crappie: A few fish are being caught in the willows on minnows in 2-5 feet of water.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on jerk baits fishing main lake points in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Lots of cats are being caught on limblines while baited with shad at night.
Bluegill and Shellcracker: Lots of fish are being caught on crickets and night crawlers while fishing near the willows in 5 feet of water.
Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is great. The water temperature is 63 degrees. Lake is stable. Water level is at 634 feet.
Black Bass: Lots of bass are being caught on soft plastics and other top water baits while fishing in the creeks in 5 feet of water.
Crappie: A few crappie are being caught around lay down trees on minnows in 5-10 feet of water.
Bluegill/Shellcracker: Lots of fish being are caught on night crawlers and crickets in the head of the creeks in 5-10 feet of water.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near Pates Ford on crankbaits in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish: Several cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad fishing at night.
