TWRA Weekly Fishing Forecast
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Center Hill – 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.
Reservoir Conditions-
Center Hill Dam is generating on average, 1,500 cfs per day, in preparation for the incoming inflow resulting from the upcoming hurricane. Reservoir elevation has dropped three feet from my last report, and currently sits at 632’. Surface water temperatures have dropped to the high 70s. The tailwater of Great Falls dam is producing cooler temperatures, 73-70 degrees. Water clarity varies throughout the reservoir with 8-12’ visibility on the lower end and in the channel. Visibility is 3-5’ in the backs of creeks and pockets.
Bass- Fishing is great. “Centember” is a great time to bass fish on Center Hill. There is an excellent topwater bite on points and secondary points early during the morning bite. Largemouth are cruising with bait balls in the backs of shallow pockets and creek arms. When the sun comes up, bass will follow the baitfish to the channel and suspend under the bait balls in 15-25 FOW. You can also fish around structure or rock drop-offs on main lake points in 20-25 FOW. Up the river, you can parallel deep, chunk rock banks with topwater, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits and follow the shade lines.
Crappie- Fishing is slow. Some crappie are being caught on the upper end around treetops with jigs. The crappie being caught were up shallow near the bank in five foot or less. You can find crappie suspended around baitfish or treetops near the creek channel in 15-20 FOW.
Walleye- Fishing is good. Trollers are catching a few keepers on the upper end of the reservoir all the way to the Sandbar trolling worm-spinner rigs in 21-25 FOW along gravel banks. We are winding down for the trolling season, and most anglers are able to catch a couple solid keepers but not many numbers.
Redear Sunfish- Fishing is slow. Anglers are targeting Shellcrackers on main lake gravel banks fishing the drop-offs in 20 FOW with worms on the bottom.
Chickamauga Reservoir - 10- 6-2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
Water levels are dropping and are roughly two feet below full pool. The weather has been sunny with highs in the lower to mid-80’s. Recent storms have slightly decreased water visibility. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
- Tennessee River (Lower Section): 77.1 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
- Tennessee River (River Channel): 3.0 feet
- Creeks/Inlets: 3 feet
Water Level: 680.20 feet
Water Flow: (as of September 23rd)
- Watts Bar Dam: ~ 63,420 cfs
- Chickamauga Dam: ~ 67,650 cfs
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Anglers have been successful on long tapering points with swimbaits, crankbaits, and A-rigs. Topwater fishing over shallow grass flats has been working as well. Live bait is the most successful method observed to catch larger fish.
Crappie: Anglers have been finding success fishing live minnows and small jigs over submerged structure or around bridges mostly in creeks or sloughs off main river.
Chickamauga - 10-9-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Chickamauga is 680. The water temperature is fluctuating from 72-76. The main channel is running hard with extremely dirty water. The creeks are clear enough to scope if needed. Any clearer water on the flats or points are accessible with a Chatterbait or Spinnerbait. The ones without grass are square bills and dt6s. The main grass lines are flippin ready that are in 2-5 feet. Please be careful navigating the main channel and stay away from the dams.
Fall Creek Falls - 9-25-24
Forecast Contributor Casey Haston – FCF boat dock staff.
Lake Conditions: Fishing is fair considering we've still had some hot days, but we've also had some cool nights mixed in. As the temps cool fishing should get better! Surface water temperature is 77°-78°F and the water clarity is still around 3'-4'ft at the Boat Dock. We've still got the ten automatic fish feeders in operation. The feed times haven't changed yet, they're still set for 6am and 7:30pm.
Largemouth Bass: Fishing is slow to fair, still a few bass being caught on topwater, Senkos, ned rig, plastic worms, and a few on a jig. Bass have been chasing schooling shad, so maybe try baits that imitate shad!
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish: Still very few Shellcracker/Redear Sunfish being caught, but folks have still been catching some Bluegill. Always crickets and red worms are a go to for the Bluegill. Don't forget about the feeders, definitely worth trying your luck around those!
Catfish: Fishing may have slowed down just a little, but folks are still catching some nice Catfish. I've had reports or liver, shrimp, hot dogs, and worms catching a few. Again, you might try your luck by the feeders!
Crappie: Fishing is still slow for the crappie. I've only heard of a very few being caught. Usually, small grubs or Bobby Garlands on a lightweight jig head is a good choice to try. Minnows is another good option; Crappie fishing should start picking up as the cooler temps start moving in.
Kentucky Lake - 10-9-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FALL FISHING SCENE/WEATHER STILL NICE TO ANGLERS
Thanks to an extended spell of nice weather the fishing scene across Kentucky Lake has suited anglers just fine. Fall has been kind to fishermen the last week or two with a little ride on the weather roller coaster at times in terms of temperatures. Lake levels had been holding around the 355.5 lately at Kentucky Dam. Surface temperatures have been reluctant to let go of the 72-to-73-degree range but watch for that to fall as cooler nights will continue to pull that down toward the upper 60’s soon.
Watercolor has been good with a slight stain. Last week the current diminished to 33,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for a few days, which is a good range for cat fishermen stalking the main channel area.
A few boats have been working the main channel banks and finding the catfish bite pretty good in the 35-to-45-foot depth range.
The fall crappie bite has been fair the last week or two for a few anglers. Some report the fish acting quite finicky on the bright days when high skies influenced a sluggish bite. A few fish were still lingering in deep water on main lake ledges in the 17-to-20-foot depth range. However, anglers targeting the deep main lake areas indicate several small fish were taken but big numbers of keeper size fish were challenging.
Some anglers credited their catches to 9-to-14-foot depths where scattered crappie were taken in the midrange stake beds and brush piles. A few credited their success to minnows; others opted for jigs. Popular colors have been Monkey’s Milk, Mayfly and some unpainted lead heads with dull colored skirts. Tipping jigs with Berkley Power Bait has enticed a few fish to bite. Sharing the midrange structures have been loads of yellow bass and even a few aggressive bluegill.
Bass anglers have been chasing their prey on some main lake ledges at times. Tossing swim baits has been producing bass that are running schools of roaming shad. The shallow bite has not turned on for most bass fishermen this fall. Most of the fish have opted to stay on secondary sandbars and some main lake ledges.
Surface temperatures have been slow to cool the last two weeks. The cool snap earlier this week likely influenced the water to cross the upper 60’s temperature threshold. So far, the fall bite has made most anglers work pretty hard to earn bites. That can change quickly so hang in there.
Nickajack Lake - 9-4-24
Forecast Contributor Ethan Castle – Whitwell High School Bass Team
Fishing has been a little tougher lately even though the numbers have gone down a little the size has stayed around for the most part. water temps have been hanging in the low 80s for the most part. Flipping grass has been the main thing lately using a missile baits d bomb. throwing a white chatter bait or a dropshot with a robo worm in morning dawn on eelgrass edges in the river will also produce some good fish.
Normandy Lake - 10-10-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Get out there early guys because the better ones are biting early. The best area has been upriver. Current water levels are at 870.75 and dropping to 870.56 by Sunday morning. Crankbaits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to. We found a couple of good bass flipping laydowns near deep water. I was told anglers are still catching a few nice Walleye can be caught trolling crankbaits or drifting minnows/crawler harnesses on flats and in the river. Water temperatures range from 71 to 74 degrees. With fall just around the corner with cooler weather water temperatures should start dropping and fishing will start improving. 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 – 10-10-24
Forecast Contributor Brian Carper - briancarper.com - Follow on Facebook
The bass are still in a slow transition from summer. The lake level is a few inches below summer pool and between 69° and 73° throughout the day. Shallow boulders throughout the lake in 2 - 5 feet of water continue to produce with shaky heads with green pumpkin or June bug in addition to 1/4oz green pumpkin jigs. The fish are not aggressive shallow yet nor are they aggressive deep. For the next few weeks, we'll see a consistent steady bite until things cool off more. The upper end of the lake has produced the best for us, but mid-lake and down lake have reported well also. Early morning and evening low light conditions have offered good topwater action as well with whopper ploppers and poppers.
For more information or Book your trip today at www.briancarper.com
Tellico River - 9-30-24
Forecast Contributor – Scott Dalton, WL Tech 1, Fisheries, Region 4
This last week of September has seen the bite for smallmouth bass picking up with the water temperatures staying around 70, Crappie are being caught in some of the back canals not much of size at this time.
Tims Ford - 10-10-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
We found some nice fish active early in the mornings this week using Pop-R’s, Chugbugs and Buzz baits. Some good fish also came on 3.5-inch swimbait along steep bluff banks. Along with a few fish in creeks with shad using jerk baits, 1/4oz Shaky Head with a finesse Trick worm and ½ ounce Tightline Green Tequila Jig this week work around brush piles in 8 to 15 feet of water. Morning where the best this week as we caught 30 to 40 fish a day. Don’t pass up the opportunity to flip laydowns, especially around deep water with a Texas rig. The current Lake level is 886.96 with a forecasted level slowly dropping to 886.94 over the weekend. Water temps are between 72 to 73 degrees on most of the lake. 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 as the water drops and other boaters. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net.
Watauga Lake – 10-9-24
Forecast Contributor – Colton Chambers, C & C Outfitters
First, thanks to all the TWRA agents involved in Rescue and Recovery efforts during the flood. You are appreciated!
Bass fishing is surprisingly good. Lots of things in play right now. Smallmouth are starting to bite Topwater in the mornings. Largemouth fishing is good, jigs and worms around brush in the upper end, and some good buzz bait fishing middle to upper lake.
Crappie fishing was showing signs of life before the floods, and I think it will crank back up as soon as we see the lake levels return to normal.
Trout trolling is very slow.
There is some debris in the upper ends of Elk River and Watauga River so be alert.
Good Luck and stay safe on the water!
C & C Outfitters
Chip & Colton Chambers -423-707-8821
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063643880828
Stay safe on the water!
Watts Bar - 9-19-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is down a foot or so the water temperature is below 80 but will climb this week for sure. The Swimbait and Chatterbait lets you cover water through the grass but if you encounter some thick grass and hard edges the ole jig and puncher can hurt them! Downsize you chugging baits and get a smaller Buzz bait like the small Driftwood Custom Baits Head Banger that little dude can do some damage! Around the grass is bluegill crawfish and shad so arm yourself with these baits.
Watts Bar - 10-3-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook
Despite the water conditions the fishing has been pretty good. There is some debris here, but not much worse than any time the water fluctuates really fast. There are some pretty big dead trees so be cautious especially navigating at night. There's multiple species of baitfish piled up all over the place right now.
The coves are packed full of bait and there's a lot of fish feeding on them, but it's more of a mixed bag. Mostly bass, white bass and good numbers of striper in some areas. For bass I was doing pretty good just working plastic worms on the bottom in areas that used to be packed full of weeds before the water level came up, but the more the water muddied up the less luck I had.
Now that the water looks like chocolate milk you want to use baits that produce a lot of vibration and or smell. Contrasting colors and some flash also helps. Top water and sub surface baits are really easy for a fish to locate in dirty water.
The catfishing has been really good now that we have steady water flow. Some are gorging on baitfish in the shallows, especially at night, but a lot of these big cats are tucked in behind deep structure in the current breaks waiting on easy meals to pass by. I take a variety of bait with me every time including shad, various live sunfish and usually something bigger like white bass, skipjack or redhorse.
I'm not trying to run a trolling motor in this current for hours so I'm anchoring upstream from my target and throwing out rigs with just enough weight to allow my bait to slowly drift along the bottom until the bait hits the fish in the mouth. I usually target flatheads but get plenty of blues this way.
If you're looking for striper, I'd fish the confluence or pull into a cove with a lot of baitfish and just shut the engine off and watch the surface of the water for a little bit. If they're in there, you'll see them, or you can blind cast and wait until they start busting. If you don't see them working bait, go on to the next cove.
West Prong, Little Pigeon River - 9-30-24
Forecast Contributor – Scott Dalton, WL Tech 1, Fisheries, Region 4
The West prong has had a major influx of water this week. The bite should get better into next month.
Woods Reservoir - 10-2-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
The morning bite continues to be best for the better fish. 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 Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and Carolina Rigs. Word has it Crappie have slowed down. Water temperatures range from 72.5 to 73 degrees. This cool down over the next couple weeks with cooler days and nights headed our way. Duck and Goose Hunting season is not far away, please be aware of hunting location around the lake. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water. Give me a call to book your trip, fall fishing can be lots of fun on Woods. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
