TWRA Fishing Reports

Fishing Reports

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.

Boone Lake 3/20/26

Report Contributor – Colton Chambers – C and C Outfitters

The good word is fish are biting!  Bass are good and about any way you want to catch them. 

Alabama rigs in 6-10 ' of water I would say are the best bite with some good quality as well. Jerk baits in the same water column are doing well. There is a decent spinner bait bite in the back half of pockets and fish are biting a pig & jig on shallow limestone ledges and days with lots of high pressure and little wind. As far as area, from the Dam up the Holston side seems the most consistent.

Good news on Crappie. They are quickly moving shallow and holding around brush in 5-8 ' of water. The area around Boonies Marina seems best. 

We had some really nice Striper and Hybrids with an occasional Brown Trout mixed in on live bait and planer boards in the 10-15 ' range. The fish migrating up the Holston side seems to be the easiest targets.

Chip and Colton Chambers 

C & C Outfitters -423-707-8821

Facebook -C & C Outfitters 

Center Hill 2/26/26

Report Contributor – James Bond, 007's Guide Service - 007’s Guide Service

Lake Level- 635

Water temp- 48 to 50

Bass- the smallies have shown up and showed out lately! Average size has been 18 to 20”. Most have been caught in 18 to 25 feet of water on a jig head with paddle tails.

Crappie- lots of 12 to 15" fish have been caught roaming open water. Bright colored jigs have been the ticket. 

Walleye- the numbers have been super low this February, but that should change soon as we approach the peak spawning season. Patience pays off as we deal with volatile weather and wind. 

Catfish- we have been seeing more channel cats this past week as they return from their deep wintering holes. Check main channel drop offs and flats. 

Captain James Bond

007's Guide Service

Center Hill Lake

601 720 6193 

Center Hill Tailwater (Caney Fork River) 1/15/26

Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Fish Biologist

River Conditions- Be sure to check the generation schedule the day of your trip as forecasted flows often change: https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/center-hill

With little water coming into the reservoir and elevations near the bottom of the guide curve, we can expect more of the same with the generation schedule. The rainy season was supposed to start several weeks ago, but according to the US Drought Monitor, the Caney Fork Watershed ranges from abnormally dry to moderate drought. We have been seeing mostly one-unit for a few hours in the morning and a few more hours in the afternoon on mild days. On particularly cold days, we will likely see extended two-unit generation to meet power demands. The USACE will pulse one-unit-hour at least every 8 hours, so be sure to monitor the schedule for the day if you are wading.

Water temperatures have finally dipped down into the high 40s, and we are seeing some shad pass through the dam. Water temperatures below 42F can be lethal to Threadfin Shad, but temperatures in the mid-40s will slow them down enough to be sucked through the dam. Looking at the 7-day forecast, we should have some great action if you can brave the elements.

Trout- Fishing has been good. We are getting reports of large browns, rainbows, and brooks. During generation, spoons and streamers have been the ticket. Anything that looks like a lethargic shad should be a good start; it will be up to the angler to figure out speed and depth. If they are not generating, try midge patterns or low-and-slow with small jigs. 

Other- Folks are catching walleye, sauger, drum, and crappie. 

Cordell Hull 4/1/26

Report Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk

Flow Rates-

·         Cordell Hull Dam- average outflow of 6,000 cfs per day

·         Wolf Creek Dam (Lake Cumberland)- average outflow of 3,000 cfs per day

·         Dale Hollow Dam- average outflow of 400 cfs per day.

Reservoir Conditions-

The reservoir elevation is currently sitting at 500’. The surface water temperature is sitting in the low-to-mid sixties in the creeks and sloughs off the river channel. Temperatures on the man river are 55-58 degrees. The water clarity has been relatively poor on the lower end, with visibility being 2-4’ in creek arms. The main channel clarity is a bit better, 3-5’, with the best visibility being found from Gainesboro to Celina. The current moon phase of this writing is the full moon. This moon phase will be the catalyst for many different fish species spawning runs.

Bass- Fishing is good. 

It’s time to catch them shallow as most bass on Cordell Hull should be staging for the spawn. Fish shallow flats, points, or the backs of creeks with wood, grass, or other pieces of isolated cover. If the bite is good, you can power fish with buzz baits, glide baits, square bills, vibrating jigs, or big swim baits. If the bite is funky that day, slow down and target wood and other isolated cover with shaky heads, wacky rigs, or Texas rigs. Most fish should be in 5’ or less in creek arms or sloughs off the channel.

Crappie- Fishing is good.

Fish are being caught around deep brush near creek channels on the lower end. Look for brush in 8-10’. Most crappie should be spawning or close to spawning. Crappie spawn on hard cover like wood, docks, rocks, or sometimes grass. Make sure to target this cover, fish could be spawning as shallow as few feet on this cover or deeper based on the water clarity. Lots of crappie are being reported to be caught on our TWRA deployed artificial structure in these creek arms. You can find fish attractors on the TWRA On The Go app under “Where To Fish” or search “Fish Attractors” to access the interactive map on tnwildlife.org

Sauger/Walleye- Fishing is good.

Sauger are still being caught in the Gainesboro area by trolling plugs and bouncing jigs tipped with minnows in the channel and around creek mouths. The sauger are close to their spawn while the walleye should be finishing up. Finally hearing reports of post spawn walleye being caught between Celina and Gainesboro.

Striped Bass- Fishing is good. Anglers are catching some quality stripers around the mid-lake area. Trolling live bait on planner boards around creek channels or flats near the river channel have produced some quality fish.

Fort Loudoun Reservoir 3/18/26

Report Contributor – Sydney Feistner, Region 4 Creel Clerk

Water Temperature – Mid 50s

Bass: Bass fishing has remained productive, which was reflected in the strong catches seen during the recent Bassmaster Classic held on Fort Loudoun this past weekend. Anglers are primarily targeting main-lake points, bluff walls, deeper dock structures, and submerged cover. Alabama rigs, jigs, and suspending jerk baits continue to produce the most consistent results.

Crappie: Crappie fishing has been steady and continues to improve as suspended fish become more active. Most fish are being found over 15 to 20 feet of water, though many are suspended much shallower in the water column. Dock pilings and brush remain productive structure, with live minnows producing the most reliable bite.

Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse 2/26/26

Report Contributor - Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service

Water Temperature – 45 to 50 degrees

Water Clarity – clear

Water Level – TVA has been running mostly 2 generators this week.

Fishing conditions – Fishing is continuing to improve with some larger fish being taken recently. There may be a few more shad come through this weekend as we had water temps drop down to 40 degrees with that last cold snap. Water temps will warm through the weekend which should get the hatches of blue wings and little black stoneflies going. There could also be some small caddis in #18 that come out. 

Nymphs – standard pheasant tails with or without beads #16 to #18. Zebra midges are producing as well. Larger nymphs like hares’ ears and pats will produce in the faster water.

Dries- midges, bwo and Adams parachutes #18, gray caddis #18, black caddis #16

Streamers – white zonkers #6, buggers in olive, white or black #6-#8

Kentucky Lake 4/1/26

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

PEAK SPAWN PHASES…HIGH WINDS GREET ANGLERS

Above average temperatures and high winds have greeted anglers lately. Earlier this week fishermen waved goodbye to what was one of the warmest months of March on record. The Ides of March lived up to its reputation this year as whitecaps have challenged anglers dictated daily routes. Unruly winds have fishermen a bit off balance as the peak of the crappie and bass spawning phases enter the picture. Here on Kentucky Lake high winds can often call the shots, pushing boaters to fish in locations they don’t necessarily want to be.

Same goes for techniques. Sometimes boats prefer to fish the wide-open areas where slow drifting or trolling over flats using spider rig or long line techniques. These methods allow fishermen to cover a lot of water and catch scattered and suspended crappie. Others like to find structure such as treetops and stake beds using a vertical jigging or live minnow method. The manmade fish attractors require a lot of work, but they pay dividends at times.

Unfortunately, big waves prohibit fishermen from getting to their favorite spots and disrupt their methods of fishing. That’s been the story lately for scores of boaters battling the wind. There are a few bank fishermen having some luck while casting live minnows on slip bobbers and slowly retrieving them. Jigs work that way too.

Male crappie have moved up on pea gravel shorelines and whenever bank fishermen find a few shallow stumps or brush, they can rack up on numbers. Just casting jigs toward gravel banks has been producing a few fish too. Crappie anglers love casting ultra-light tackle and right now curly tail grubs and a variety of color combination tube skirted jigs are producing.

Surface temperatures this week have climbed into the 65-degree range. Watercolor remains clear as very little rain had fallen in the area as of midweek, although rain is in the weekend forecast. Lake levels have been somewhat above normal in the last two weeks. Usually, the first day of April signals the start of TVA’s curve to implement reservoir filling. Under normal conditions the reservoir sleeps at its low ebb of winter pool (around the 354.5 range) until the first day of April.

This year the reservoir has been holding around the 357.5 range these last few weeks. So, the lake is about two feet above its normal starting point already. Crappie have been taken in a variety of depths this past week ranging from 2 to 5 feet in some spots to 12 to 14 feet zones. That midrange depth of 7 to 12 feet has been the most productive. It has produced a lot of fish that are residing on the doorstep of spawning territory.

The bite should be good the next week or so as the peak of the spawn arrives. Crappie are already relating tight to structure. Females are ready to drop their eggs. Male crappie are aggressive and sporting a beautiful dark color.

Bass fishermen have been landing some hefty size fish while targeting gravel banks or big chunk rock points. Rip-rap shorelines have paid off too. Tossing everything from Rattle Trap style lures to some suspending jerk baits is paying dividends. Texas rigged craws plus Carolina and Alabama rigs have scored as well. Shallow running crankbaits are very popular right now in shad and crawfish-colored variations. Some bass fishermen are tossing spinnerbaits too with chartreuse and white skirts sporting a gold willow leaf blade and catching largemouth around any stickup they may encounter.

Already showing up are a few scattered bluegill and red ear sunfish. This warm surface temp has triggered them to bite both worms and crickets around shallow gravel banks and boat houses. There will be more windy days, but it comes with the territory during early spring fishing trips.

Melton Hill Reservoir 3/18/26

Report Contributor – Sydney Feistner, Region 4 Creel Clerk

Water Temperature – Mid to Upper 50s

Bass: Bass are primarily being located near the mouths of coves and along creek channel edges, particularly in areas where channels intersect with available structure. Recent cooler temperatures pushed some fish slightly deeper along those breaks, but the current warming trend has increased afternoon activity, with more fish beginning to move and feed during the warmest part of the day.

Crappie: Crappie are being observed farther back in coves, with fish concentrated near creek channels and scattered grassy habitat. Most fish are being caught over approximately 20 feet of water and are often relating to vertical structure along channel edges rather than holding tightly to brush.

Nickajack 3/26/26

Report Contributor: Tristan Owenby, https://www.facebook.com/tristan.owenby  

Right now is a awesome time to be on the water especially if you are just getting into fishing or taking some for their very first time the fish are moving up and making beds quick and you can run about any bank on the lake that suits you and throw a lizard or some sort of creature bait or a tube and just wait for it to swim off and swing. I love this time of year it takes me back to pond fishing as a kid. Water temps are creeping up, I’m seeing 59-60 on the main lake and shallow back waters reaching 62-63.

There are still a lot of fish hanging on tight to them transition areas getting ready to spawn but no reason to keep spending time on them when all the fun is on the bank! Had a crappie trip this week as well and they are getting very healthy. We caught the crappie from 3-20 ft this week, so they are all over the place as well, but the deeper schools still seemed to have the better size in them. It’s time to get out there and go fishing. Don’t let this time of year pass by without wetting a line.

Normandy 3/23/26

Report Contributor: JC Stephens & Jesse Taylor, Region II Creel Clerks

Reservoir Conditions

Elevation Avg: 869ft

*Summer pool: 875ft

*Winter pool: 864ft

Avg. Discharge Hourly: 50 cfs

Water Temp Avg: 58℉

Water Visibility Avg: Approx. 3ft / 1M

Moon Phases:

*New Moon: 05/17/2026

*Full Moon: 04/01/2026

Fishing Conditions:

BLACK BASS: (Largemouth, Spotted, Smallmouth)

Bass fishing slowed down during the snow last week but should be getting back to normal. Bass have been found 10- 15ft in the deeper areas of the lake closer to the dam off rocky banks. They have also been found shallow the further you get into the river under 5ft. Many anglers use soft plastics on a Texas rig or a Carolina rig. Some have been using crankbaits or Alabama rigs. Be on the lookout for bait fish on the radars.

CRAPPIE: (Black Nose, Black, White)

Crappie fishing has been good for the past few weeks, but the weather kept anglers away last week. The further you get down river the better the bite is. With those colder mornings, crappie have typically been found deeper waters at around 10-15ft deep in and around brush piles. Midday however, they have been seen as shallow as 5 ft of water around downed trees. Many people use jig heads with various colors of plastic minnow and live minnows to potentially trigger a bite.

WALLEYE:

Walleye are currently moving closer to the river and creeks. They are most often found in 5ft – 10ft of water usually on rocky banks and gravel points. Since they are entering their spawning period, they tend to group closer together, this can make these fish easier to locate. You could try using different crankbaits, ned rigs, jigging spoons, or even minnows to get them to bite. A lighter color has also been seen to work better in low light conditions.

CATFISH: (Channel, Blue, Flathead)

Catfish can still be found in deep channels during the springtime. You may have some luck in creek mouths, brush piles, or near ledges around 15ft – 30ft deep, and they should be moving up as temperature rises. On warmer days in the afternoons, they might move up shallow. They should be feeding more than in the winter months, but it is still early. Most People fish with shrimp, chicken livers, live and cut bait, leaving the bait to sit on the bottom.

Norris Tailwater 3/10/26

Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1

Fishing has been very good these past few weeks on the Tailwater with some great shots of catching big brown trout using a few different techniques, large streamers are working best!! There are lots of rainbow trout being caught along the tailwater. They have been a little pickier with what they are eating, think small.

Make sure to check TVA's website https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris for generation schedule, and flow rates on the river. 

Old Hickory 3/23/26

Report Contributor – Noah Cartwright, Region II Creel Clerk

While I still certainly saw folks catching fish last week, it was a largely more tepid affair than what I saw the weeks previous. The water temps hovered around the low-mid 50°s through the weekend. 

Bass: I was still able to find folks catching decent bass, but big fish and great bites were few and far between. The fish seem to have pushed back down a bit after the cool spell, with folks finding them deeper, around 7-10ft or so, than they were before.

Crappie: I was able to find a handful of folks catching a few fish, but no one running out of freezer bags in the process. The crappie still largely elude many folks, and it’s evident many crappie fishermen are eluding the lake in return. Folks that are doing well are pretty much all the way down at the dam, but you really can’t be sure until you get out there and get your lines wet. 

Sauger/Walleye: Folks are still doing very well on sauger and walleye. I’ve had many anglers tell me this has been their best year in a long time if not ever. Anywhere from trolling the river by the old race track all the way up to jigging below the dam folks are catching great fish. I’ve seen a lot of pictures of 30+ inch, 9+ lbs. fish so if you’re looking to get one yourself, best get up while the getting is good. 

*If a species is not reported on, I have not seen/talked to enough folks fishing or catching that species to give an accurate, good quality report.

Percy Priest 3/23/26

Report Contributor – Noah Cartwright, Region II Creel Clerk

Folks were overall still able to catch good fish last week, though with a little more struggle than the previous week. Water temps were in the low-mid 50°s and levels up to about two feet above winter pool. 

Additionally, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic passing of Nobu Terajima. I interviewed him on several occasions and frequently saw him fishing in Tim James’ Sunday morning tournaments. He was a great guy and a terrific fisherman who will be dearly missed. My condolences to his friends and family both here in Tennessee and in Japan. 

Bass: The vast majority of the folks I was able to talk to last week were bass fishing. This weekend was my off-weekend off, so while I didn’t get any tournament info over the weekend, I was able to make weigh-in for the First Responder’s tournament Wednesday afternoon. Just on the heels of the cold weather the average bag weighed in was around 11-13Ibs, markedly lighter than the previous week’s averages. I did see several good fish get weighed, but very few over 5Ibs. With that being said, a lot of folks were able to come in and weigh respectable sacks of fish. It seems that the fish have moved back a little deeper, with folks catching them anywhere from 3-8ft deep. 

Crappie: Crappie fishing remained the same throughout this week. Even some of the great anglers I talk to consistently were struggling to really make a day of it. 6-12 fish in the box wasn’t uncommon to see, but it was sure a struggle to catch for those that did. Many are looking for the crappie to start running soon, but they don’t seem to have just yet. Although several folks I saw have been able to cast at the bank and catch a few, it’s not quite time just yet.

*Due to a low frequency of pressure/interviews, the species report you just read is a re-run of the previous week*

White bass: Folks looking to catch the white bass running went home a little disappointed this week. Much like the crappie, it isn’t quite time for them yet. Reports from Mona all the way up into West Fork have been minimal, but when those ramps and banks start to fill up soon, you can expect to find some fish.

*Due to a low frequency of pressure/interviews, the species report you just read is a re-run of the previous week* 

Hybrid/Striper: I was able to glean a few reports on the hybrid and folks are still doing well on them. While they aren’t going crazy just yet and the sizes aren’t quite enough to tear your arms off, you should still be able to get out and have fun on some good quality fish. 

*If a species is not reported on, I have not seen/talked to enough folks fishing or catching that species to give an accurate, good quality report.

Reelfoot Lake 4/1/26

Report Contributor-Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council

It is now prime fishing conditions at Reelfoot Lake.  With several months of little rain, our lake is lower than normal spring conditions, but the fishing has been excellent.

Your lodging owners are always happy to provide tips for where to fish and what bait to use.

Watts Bar Reservoir – March 28 thru 30, 2026

Report Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk

The weather was warmer with lows in the 50’s with highs throughout the day warming up to 71. Current throughout the reservoir is low due to lack of rain throughout the area. Water temps are slowly increasing with the warmer weather. The water levels are at winter pool; the latest depth and discharge rate I have recorded is below. For any discharge or 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 section of reservoir: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit

-                      Clinch/Emory Rivers: 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit

Water Clarity:

-                      Tennessee River (River Channel): 3 feet

-                      Clinch/Emory Rivers: 4 feet

Water Level: (as of March 30^th)

-                      Reservoir elevation: 737.24 feet

-                      Headwater (Ft. Loudoun) elevation: 737.44 feet

-                      Headwater (Melton Hill) elevation: 736.56 feet

Water Flow: (as of March 30^th)

-                      Ft. Loudoun Dam: ~ 7321 cfs

-                      Melton Hill Dam: ~ 0 cfs

-                      Watts Bar Dam: ~ 5077 cfs

Observed Species Information

Upper Section of Reservoir:

Sauger/Walleye: Most anglers found success drifting current with heavier jig heads with live minnows on them.

White Bass: Anglers were using minnow style baits and A-rigs in current breaks below dam and around schooling fish to get bites.

Clinch/Emory Rivers:

Crappie: The most successful method observed was spider rig/trolling small jigging minnows or live minnows in creeks/inlets in 10 feet or less.

Bass: Best bait observed was jerk baits in creeks/inlets less than 10 feet deep.

Watts Bar 3/19/26

Report Contributor - Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook

The pre spawn and spawn have been ahead of schedule this year. The water was dropped so low that a lot of fish pulled out of the shallow docks and structure. This past cold front set us back a little also. Now that the weather is stabilizing the water temps should be back in the low to mid 60's.

I primarily fish deep structure for white crappie but this time of year I go shallow for black crappie. Literally any dock or piece of structure in 1 - 4 feet of water could hold a school of slabs. You don’t need any sonar at all or a fancy boat to catch them. You could literally use a cane pole and just dip your jig around structure. I carefully pick apart every limb and dock piling until I find them. I start out just close enough to cast to them without spooking them. You can also use a 12 - 14' jigging rod and just dip the baits right into the structure. I prefer a 1/16 jig head with a curly tail grub. I throw a natural baitfish color or if the water is murky, I'll use a dark body with a bright tail. If you have trouble feeling the bites you can use a small float as a strike indicator.

The bass are ranging anywhere from bluffs and channel swings all the way into just a couple feet of water. Fallen trees along the banks in secondary coves and cuts have been holding a lot of bass. Stump beds are great also when the baitfish are balled up around them.

The catfishing is good here all year long but right now those big flatheads will get hungry and start to roam around. It's hard to beat fresh cut shad or yellow bass this time of year. If you just want to get the kids or grand kids out to catch fish this is a great time for it! The drum and yellow bass are packed into shallow coves gorging on baitfish and are very easy to catch. A small white jig is all you need to keep those rods bent.

Watauga Lake 3/20/26

Report Contributor – Colton Chambers – C and C Outfitters

Bass fishing continues to be really good. We had lots of 4' plus fish caught last week.  Jerk baits like a Berkeley Stunner or Rapala Maverick will definitely get you some bites. The area known as the " Forks of the Rivers " seems to be best. Also, some nice ones being caught on a jig head and minnow twitching it in the 6-8' range and just cast towards steeper banks, no live scope needed.

Trout remains slow, a few Lakers being caught trolling in the Butler Bridge area, but very scattered.

Crappie are starting to move shallow, try targeting brush and trees with minnows in the 8-12' range. 

Snow water runoff is a death blow to Walleye fishing, but we hope for a better report next week.

Stay safe on the water!

Chip and Colton Chambers 

C & C Outfitters -423-707-8821

Facebook -C & C Outfitters 

Latest Catches