TWRA Weekly Fishing Forecast
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.
NOTE – During the summer months many of the reports will stay the same as the fish patterns do not change much until the weather begins to cool again and the fall transition begins.
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Boone Reservoir - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor – Richard Markland, Region 4 Fisheries Technician
Reservoir Conditions- Reservoir elevation is 1381.51. The water temperature is 7* degrees. Water clarity 5-10’ visibility.
Bass- Fair- Largemouth, Spots and are being caught mostly on Jigs and soft plastic finesse baits (worms, creature baits) in deeper water on rocky banks and bluffs. Early morning has been good on topwater baits. Pop- R, Wake baits, Buzz baits
Crappie- No Report
Trout- No Report
Striped Bass/Hybrid Bass- Fishing is Good. Most of the fish are being caught Davis Dock upstream to Bluff City area on Holston side and Sonny's Marina area up to Knob Creek area trolling spoons and Shad.
Center Hill – 7-24-24
Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.
Reservoir Conditions-
Reservoir elevation sits steady at 640’. Center Hill Dam is generating, on average, 1,350 cfs per day. Water visibility depends on amount of boat wake in an area but is generally 4-6’ of clarity reservoir wide. Surface water temperatures are starting to cool with the recent rains, with the average being 83-86 degrees reservoir wide. Practice safe fish handling and care if you intend on releasing your catch. Fish can be stressed very easily by warm water temperatures, boat traffic, and exhaustion from being reeled in so be extra cautious with your catch to limit the amount of angler mortality rates this time of year.
Bass- Fishing is good. The night bite has been very productive, but anglers are also catching quality fish during the day. Anglers are deep cranking main lake steep banks, targeting suspended fish in 20-25 FOW. Anglers are also fishing off the bank with finesse presentations in 15-20 FOW near flooded timber and shade lines on the main lake.
Walleye- Fishing is good. The trolling bite is hot reservoir wide. Trolling crankbaits or worm harness rigs around main lake humps or gravel banks in 15-25 FOW is producing quality fish and limits.
Sunfish- Fishing is good. Big redear sunfish are being caught in the same places as Walleye by trollers and other anglers. Fish worms near the bottom in 15-20 FOW around main lake structure that has gravel bottoms.
Catfish- Fishing is good. Catfish are being caught with the big redear on worms in 15-20 FOW around the main lake gravel humps.
Chickamauga Reservoir July 22nd – July 24th, 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather has been cloudy and rainy for a little over a week straight now. This has caused water temps to cool slightly throughout the lake. Current has begun to increase due to the influx of rain in the area. The water levels are about half a foot above normal full pool; the latest depth I recorded is below. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
- Tennessee River (Middle Section): 81.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
- Tennessee River (River Channel): 3.5 feet
- Creeks/Inlets: 3.5 feet
Water Level: 682.65 feet
Water Flow: (as of July 24th)
- Watts Bar Dam: ~ 5050 cfs
- Chickamauga Dam: ~ 20050 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 most successful technique observed was fishing deeper flats and humps (15-20 feet) adjacent to main channel with deep diving crankbaits and swimbaits. Many anglers are also finding success on laydowns and flats throwing spinnerbaits, chatter baits and also finesse techniques (Wacky, Texas, and Dropshot). Topwater bites are picking up over shallow grass flats as well. Live bait is the most successful method observed to catch larger fish.
Chickamauga - 7-24-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Chickamauga Lake is definitely high warm and pressured! The kids have started so please be careful and as the National Jr and High School Bass Tournament begins stay alert! The bass are smoking a Swimming Worm and Swim Jig! The white Chatterbait is the search tool. The Real Deal Tackle has the Ultra Vibe Speed Worm from Zoom! It’s Money Dude! The Bigs eat it! The Whopper Plopper is juice if they will eat it early! The other part of it is go and dropshot the pink worm and a Damiki Vault when you find the schools!
Douglas Lake 7-25-24
Forecast Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Good day all. Hopefully you are drying out from all the rain we’re having.
With all this rain the topwater bite has picked up and so has some shallow techniques. Thai time of year the offshore bite starts to wane, and this is when the doc bite gets really good.
Not all docks are created equal. I typically target the ones with a deep-water access, and the ones on points or with brush around of even boats parked in them are a bonus. I use a 1/2 oz killer bass baits green pumpkin football jig with the same color 4” chigger craw. Most bites happen as the jig falls on the initial skip. Be sure to let it fall vertical……you may need to strip some line out as it falls. The jig doesn’t necessarily have to go all the way to the bottom.
Good luck and stay cool.
*Message or email me to book a guide trip, I also do electronics trip if that is your need as well.
God Bless!
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 6-27-24
Forecast Contributor- Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
NOTE- Mr. Smith will be guiding in KY until October and will not be able to provide Hiwassee reports until then.
River Conditions
Water temp- 60 to 72 degrees
Water clarity – clear
Water level – flows vary from 0 to 2 generators (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 temps are rising to lethal levels during periods of 0 generation. The heat wave and lack of rain have combined to make the fishing very difficult. When the water is running, it is cold enough for the trout but when the generators are at 0, the temps are shutting the trout down. Fishing is not good now.
Hatches – a few Sulphurs and Isonychias
Terrestrials, such as hoppers and ants are good flies to throw. 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. Larger streamers are productive when 2 generators are running.
Kentucky Lake 7-24-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
SLIGHTLY LOWER LAKE LEVELS AND COOLER TEMPS FOR ANGLERS
Fishermen are turning the page on the calendar as July fades into August. Since last week the Kentucky Lake fishing scene has experienced slightly cooler temperatures and lake levels continue to fall slowly while still pretty much on schedule for TVA’s drawdown. Lake levels at Kentucky Dam were hanging around the 358.2 range but saw a slight fluctuation a few days in the aftermath of some thunderstorms that drenched the region. Some days fishermen had to dig out the raingear. Surface temperatures were staying in the 82-to-86-degree range. Watercolor remains clear.
At midweek a slight increase in discharge rates at Kentucky Dam added a little more current to the Tennessee River channel. TVA had increased it to 26,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) at midweek, which increased some from last week’s sluggish flow.
The summer catfish bite has been somewhat below average the last week or two due to low flows. It should improve as more water pushing through the system usually stimulates the bite. Most cat fishermen lately have reported below average numbers of blue and channel catfish in their daily creel. Usually those stalking the main river channel banks this time of year are drifting slowly with the current while bottom bumping depths of 40 to 50 feet. Lately the catfish bite has been somewhat lethargic. When schools of baitfish are not roaming it curtails the activity of schools of catfish, resulting in a diminished bite. That scenario can vary from day to day once increased current enters the picture.
The summer crappie picture has held up decent for a few veteran anglers which have deep main lake structure in their sights. Depths of 18 to 25 feet have given up a few fish when anglers target that deep structure. Once hot weather kicks in most summer crappie anglers rely on the use of live minnows. However, some choose to tip a jig with a minnow to entice bites from finicky fish. There have been a few fish still lurking around midrange stake beds and brush piles in the 14-foot depth range but most of the better stringers are coming from deeper structures.
Scattered and inconsistent reports of white bass in the jumps have been witnessed out along the edge of the main river channel and adjacent sandbars. The schools of minnows attract the aggressive white bass at times, resulting in surface feeding frenzies when they corral shad and push them out over shallow areas. Anglers can expect the white bass feeding sprees to improve throughout August as lower lake levels and schooling baitfish during the calm dog days of summer reveal the whereabouts of both baitfish and white bass on the prowl.
Still stalking the main lake ledges have been avid summer bass anglers tossing their arsenal of big deep diving crankbaits, swimbaits, Carolina rigs, Texas rigged worms plus some jigging spoons at times. Like the cat fishermen summer bass anglers rely on current to help their cause. Moving water helps put minnows around structure as they seek areas of eddies that form on the down current sides of logs, tree laps and bridge piers. Find the minnows and you’ll find some bass. Without current the schools of baitfish roam, which makes it tough on the shallow water bite.
Those fishing main lake ledges know that deep sandbar irregularities or humps can divert the current just enough to attract schools of baitfish to their locale with bass hot on their trail. Bass anglers are usually glued to the screens of their sonar units attempting to find balls of baitfish activity. Anglers closely monitor the depth of baitfish while watching for bigger fish sightings as the bass attempt an ambush. Lately the bite has been challenging for most summer bass fishermen but that too can change at the drop of a hat once the current picks up.
A few mayfly hatches have been underway with some big hatches occurring around the thunderstorms. Seems fly hatches are triggered by the sudden low-pressure surge of thunderstorms. Both bass fishermen and some pan fishermen who love tossing ultralight tackle can find fast action once low overhangs are discovered. They provide a canopy of shade loaded with a buffet, so bass and bluegill seize the opportunity.
The midsummer dog days are here!
Nickajack Lake - 7-25-24
Forecast Contributor Ethan Castle – Whitwell High School Bass Team
Fishing has been good for the most part and has not slowed down. Water temps have been ranging in the mid to high 80s. The fish seem to be biting in a bunch of different ways lately. I have still been staying offshore for the most part doing a lot of graphing trying to find big schools in 18 to 20 feet of water throwing a big crankbait in chartreuse blue back for the most part, on the slower days you can throw a big worm in plum or June bug and a big football jig in a blue craw color. There are a few good mats of grass starting to show up in the river that you can throw a frog on in the mornings and evenings especially if they have some current flowing.
Normandy Lake - 7-25-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Normandy produces some good fish and especially in the morning and late evening hours. Current water levels are at 874.08 and headed down to 873.98 by Sunday morning. Crankbaits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to. We found several really nice bass using shaky heads at the end of points in 10 to 15 feet of water. Walleye can be caught trolling crankbaits or drifting minnows/crawler harnesses on flats and in the river. Keep an eye on the habitat that TWRA and TN Bass Nation put out the last couple years Water temperatures range from 85 to 88 degrees. 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 – 7-25-24
Forecast Contributor Brian Carper - briancarper.com - Follow on Facebook
The last couple days the bass on Percy Priest have been a little tougher to catch but becoming more active with the recent rains. Coves with creeks in the back are starting to turn on with the fresh water entering! Shallow crankbaits and whopper ploppers have been my main go-to baits. Main lake points, humps and ledges up lake in 8ft-15ft are still producing, but inconsistently. Bass are easy to find yet getting hard to trigger a bite. The next several days should help the bite with the consistent rain in the forecast.
For more information or Book your trip today at www.briancarper.com
Pickwick – 7-22-24
Forecast Contributor Tyler Finley – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.finley.750
With water temperatures in the mid 90’s fish are looking for cooler more oxygenated water. Both deep ledges and grass have been a factor recently. Ledges from Waterloo to the state park have been best (15-25ft). The closer to the main lake the ledge is the better. When fishing a ledge use a jig, Carolina rig, big worm and swimbait. Most of the grass is up past the trace in 5-10ft. When fishing grass use a Chatterbait and swimbait. You will have to fish a lot of grass to get bit but when you find one there will be more with it.
Tims Ford - 7-25-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
What a swing on area lakes. The weather pattern over the last week has really helped out. Fresh water from the rains and the lake temperatures have dropped 5 to 7 degrees. If this weather conditions hold this might be the best August for fishing we’ve seen in several years. We found some nice fish active early in the mornings and late evenings. Our best fish came on 3/8 Shaky Head with a Magnum Trick worm and ½ ounce Tightline Green Tequila Jig this week work around brush piles in 8 to 15 feet of water.
Overall numbers are holding good with 10 to 20 fish per ½ day and quality is still good this past week as well. Presentations were Texas Rigged and Carolina rigged soft plastics, Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grub… Don’t pass up the opportunity to flip laydowns especially around deep water. The current Lake level is 887.54 with a forecasted level dropping due to the lack of rain to 887.45 over the weekend. Water temps are between 82 to 86 degrees on most of the lake. I will be conducting a TWRA Boater Safety Course with testing the same day on 1 July 2024, 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 and other boaters. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watts Bar - 7-24-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is actually cooler because of all this rain! The best news is the Topwater bite is getting better. The rivers are running a bit cooler so the old flipper jig will get you some if that doesn’t work flip a finesse craw with swimming pinchers! Bluegill are bedding so the Senko is nasty and a Pop-R! The grass is definitely a Swim Jig shad color and Bluegill color are money!
Watts Bar 7-26-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook
With the lack of water flow, high temps and a ton of pleasure boaters on the water it's my least favorite time of year to fish. There's only a couple months out of the year where the fish's feeding patterns aren't dictated by water flow. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't go out and slaughter fish though. They actually become very predictable.
Multiple species of fish are still stacking up on the top of sand bars where the bait gathers. The time of day is a major factor in being successful right now. The fish will start gorging somewhere like a cove entrance or bottleneck and then usually slowly migrate out and upriver with the bait even with very little water flow. Entrances to coves where baitfish feed are a great place to start and then just follow the fish. They will usually head deeper as the sun, boats and birds push the baitfish into the channel and old creek beds. About 5 or 6 pm you'll find them coming out of those deeper spots and gorging on shad along the sand bars and humps.
For bass I like to target banks or bluffs with a really steep drop off where they can feed on baitfish but stay in cooler water. I'm finding a lot of small fish around shady banks and docks, but my bigger bass are out away from the bank on single structures like 1 big rock, a point or deep submerged trees. If the bite is hot, I like a faster bait that mimics a shad, if it's a slower bite I prefer a slow sinking soft plastic and they usually hit it on the free fall.
The catfishing is really easy right now. Just find the piles of them on the drop offs and sand bars and drop shad on them. Live or cut bait works. If you're not catching a ton of them, I would move and find another spot because they are stacked up and hungry.
White bass are still schooled up pretty good but I'm seeing less of them busting the surface and lower numbers in the schools. There are more big striper mixed in with them now though.
Wilbur Tailwater - 6-6-24
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, Streamers.
Woods Reservoir 7-25-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Woods has gone through a major temperature change in the last week… Early last week we actually saw temperatures hit 90 degrees. As of yesterday, it was 82.5. Great place to beat the heat. Early morning and late afternoon/evening is the best. 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 Texas Rigged D-Bombs from Missile Baits and Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and Carolina Rigs. Drifting or trolling with spider rigs for Crappie is picking up some nice slabs but you have to weed through the short fish. Water temperatures range from 81 to 86 degrees. 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
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