TWRA Fishing Reports

Fishing Reports

NOTE - 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.

Cordell Hull – 9/23/26

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 4,500 cfs per day

Dale Hollow Dam- average outflow of 800 cfs per day.

Roaring River- average flow of 11.35 cfs

Reservoir Conditions-

The reservoir elevation is currently sitting at 503.5’ and is projected to rise in the next few days. Surface water temperatures are in the mid-to-low eighties reservoir wide, except far upstream where temperatures are still in the low sixties when the upstream tailwaters are releasing flow. Water clarity is still good, 3-5’ of visibility reservoir wide. The mayfly hatch is fully over on the lower end. The moon phase as of this writing is 90% waxing, with the full moon scheduled around Sept. 26^th. The slight rise in reservoir level, resulting from the Army Corps holding water, has submerged the aquatic vegetation again. With this constant fluctuation in water, some of the grass stalks are breaking apart and the mats have been submerged again in intermediate depths.

Bass- Fishing is slow.

The best bite is still around flats on the main channel. Shallow flats with wood or grass patches have been producing a better-quality bite than the creek arms. Flipping isolated wood or fishing around the grass with topwater, vibrating jigs, or slowing down with finesse presentations would be the best way to approach these areas. There is a flipping bite around creek channel banks. Anglers are catching bass around shade or grass lines or around wood/rock with wacky rigs, Texas rigs, or jigs. With the U.S. Army Corps holding water, the grass tops are still submerged. Unless the water levels start falling, there won’t be enough time for the grass tops to fully develop for the primetime frog bite in a few weeks.

Crappie- Fishing is slow.

Some crappie have been caught this week while fishing TWRA structures in 7-12’ on flats near a channel. Lots of crappie have been reported to be caught this year 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 slow. 

A few anglers are targeting walleye/sauger by trolling plugs through deep pools on the upper river between Celina and Gainesboro. You may have some luck throwing jerkbaits or plugs along creek mouths or islands/points at night with the full moon going.

Striped Bass- Fishing is good. Fishing creek/river mouths or floating around eddies has been the key. Live bait ranging from trout to live shad or skipjack has been used. Fish between Gainesboro and Celina, where the thermal refuge is.

Whitebass- Fishing is decent. Some nice whitebass are being caught schooling on baitfish around main channel flats or around bridge mouths close to the main channel. Any shad imitation bait like spinners, spoons, crankbaits, or small topwater will do fine.   

Watts Bar Reservoir - 9/12/26 - 9/1426

Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions and Weather:

The weather was slightly cooler but still hot with lows in the lower 70’s with highs throughout the day warming up to 88. Water temps are steadying throughout the reservoir, with the main lake staying around 86 degrees, although below Ft. Loudon Dam is ~ 78 degrees. Water clarity is still around 3-4 feet and fluctuates with precipitation events. The water levels are now at full pool; average discharges for dams are recorded 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.

Average Discharges: (as of September 14^th)

-  Ft. Loudoun Dam: ~ 18200 cfs

-  Melton Hill Dam: ~ 2800 cfs

-  Watts Bar Dam: ~ 20650 cfs

Observed Species Information

Walleye: Many anglers are finding success targeting walleye in shallower areas of the main river channel, mostly a few miles downstream of the dam. Many are jigging smaller spoons or trolling these areas with crankbaits. Walleye migrate to other areas of the reservoir during the summer seeking thermal refuge, so targeting areas with cooler water is beneficial.

Striped Bass: Fishing for stripers has been slower than usual. These fish have started to congregate below dams in current, these areas have a higher concentration of baitfish for these fish to target. Early morning bites are reported to be good in these areas, as well as when dams are generating. Recently, there has been an uptick in the amount of current, causing the fishing to become better. Anglers found the most success using live bait (shad/skipjack) on or adjacent to the current below the dams. Large swimbaits and large spoons were some of the artificial lures observed as well.

Catfish: Many anglers that were targeting striped bass were finding great success on catfish bites in these same areas as stated above. Others were finding success down river in deeper holes of the main channel with live/cut bait, positioning the boat upstream and letting the current carry the bait down to the desired area. Catfish should be in post-spawn stage now, which implies many fish will be moving deeper.

Bass: Many anglers targeting any Black Bass species are finding better success in the lacustrine (Middle and Lower) areas of the reservoir. Many fish are being found on offshore flats and humps as well as channel ledges. Anglers are finding more success with forward-facing sonar-style minnows and swimbaits, but Texas rigs and Ned rigs are still great for bites as well. The popular urchin-style baits were observed frequently this past weekend and anglers using them were getting some bites in earlier morning hours.

Trout Reports

TWRA biologists recently completed annual electrofishing surveys on Tennessee’s tailwater trout fisheries. You can read the TWRA summaries of individual lakes below.  For more information about the great trout fishing opportunities, tips, and techniques to ensure a great fishing trip, check out the TWRA Trout Fishing Stocking and Forecast.

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