TWRA Fishing Reports
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Region:: TWRA Region 1 Office, TWRA West Tennessee
Region 1 Fishing Report - No Report This Week
No report this week.
Region:: TWRA Region 2 Office, TWRA Middle Tennessee
Region 2 Fishing Report - No Report This Week
No report this week.
Region:: TWRA Region 3 Office, TWRA Cumberland Plateau
FISHING REPORT FOR NICKAJACK, CHICKAMAUGA AND WATTS BAR
FISHING REPORT - FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Nickajack: The water temperature is in the low 50's. The return to normal flow in the current is allowing more anglers to catch more fish in the area known as the Riverpark. Live bait, jigs, crankbaits, swimbaits, and spoons are being used to catch a smorgasbord of fish. The tranquil waters are areas where crappie are generally targeted. White bass, striped bass, and black bass are being caught along the banks, around humps and in the current diversion areas. Catfish are being caught by those drifters in the channel. These anglers are using livebait most often but some are using the traditional baits with chicken parts and wieners being included in this category. The fishing in the Marion County part of Nickajack is good. A lot of bass and crappie are being caught. Grass in bays, brush piles and rip-rap are areas that are being targeted. Jigs, minnows, lipless crankbaits, and jerkbaits would be a formidable arsenal capable of taming almost any species under any conditions.
Chickamauga: The lake is at the level considered normal for winter. The elevation is at 677.3 feet which is 1.3 feet above the winter mean elevation. The surface water temperature is in the low 50's and warmer water temperatures should occur later in the week. Crappie fishing is great. Shallow and deep crappie can be caught while using either jigs or minnows. A lot of small crappie are being caught, but several large crappie are also showing up in the creel. Bass anglers are catching shallow bay bass and river bass located along the flats and drops. Lipless crankbaits, jigs, and spinnerbaits are a few lures that are being used to catch numerous fish. Some heavy bass are being caught. Catfish drifters are catching plenty of fish on various baits. The best bait is probably the skipjack shad. Heavy equipment is needed for some of those catfish being caught on the skipjack. A lot of anglers use circle hooks and wait until their rod is loaded up until they slowly sweep their rod back and away from the fish while reeling. Many dip nets have been bent or broke while trying to capture their catch. The tailwaters below Watts Bar Dam is an area where many anglers are catching many fish which include catfish, black bass, white bass, sauger, and striped bass. Live bait is a popular choice for many anglers targeting several species. Jigs, crankbaits, and spoons are being used by those seeking the artificial bite. The rig is very popular by those that seek the easier bite.
Watts Bar: The lake elevation is at 737.1 feet which is in the normal range for winter. This elevation is 1.1 foot above the winter mean level. Tailwater anglers are catching many fish. Shellcrackers were caught off the bank on the Oak Ridge side of the river while using worms below Melton Hill Dam. The water below Ft. Loudon Dam is giving up many species of which some of these are white crappie, black crappie, striped bass, white bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, sauger, walleye and catfish. Shad, jigs, spoons and meaty baits can be used to catch all the previously mentioned species. Sauger and walleye can be caught bottom bumping in the main channel. Black bass are generally targeted along the banks. Catfish are caught in the main channel. The other basses can be caught along the bank or in the open water especially in the immediate area of the dam. The lake is getting better as the season progresses. Shallow bass and crappie can be caught around brush, stumps, rocks and along flats. Some deeper water fish can be caught near the same structure as the shallow fish. The shallow water areas may be becoming more heavily visited than their deeper counterparts. The unusual warm winter has moved the season ahead of the calendar. Jigs and/or minnows remain the favorite bait or lure for crappie. Lipless lures, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and jigs are the obvious choices for tricking a hungry fish. Some have chosen another path consisting of a wad of baits that in total equal the rig.
Region:: TWRA Region 4 Office, TWRA East Tennessee
South Holston and Watauga Fishing Report 2-10-2012
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR
Surface Temperature: 46 – 49
Elevation: 1708.4
Change in Elevation: +0.1-ft.
Water Clarity: Clear
Largemouth:
Action: fair
Lures: crankbaits, 5” swimbaits, spoons, Diminki
Presentations: casting
Depth: 5 to 15-ft, 40 to 60-ft with Diminki lures
Time: morning
Habitat: rock banks, small pockets
Where: Washington Co. Park area, Spring Creek, Observation Knob area, creek channels
Smallmouth:
Action: great
Lures: flies, silver buddies, spoons, Diminki 3”
Presentations: tight lined / float-n-fly, casting, jigged, vertical jigged
Depth: 8 to 12-ft., 40 to 60-ft. with spoons and diminkis
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: main lake points
Where: dam, point 2, Big Creek, Riddle Creek, Minton Hollow, Josiah Creek
Crappie
Action: fair
Lures: hair jigs
Presentations: tight lined / jigged
Depth: 8 to 16-ft.
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: brush, bluffs with laydowns
Where: Battery Hollow, Spring Creek, Wolf Creek
WATAUGA RESERVOIR
Surface Temperature: 47 – 49
Elevation: 1951.6
Change in Elevation: +0.2-ft.
Water Clarity: Clear
Largemouth:
Action: good
Lures: crankbaits, swimbaits, spoons, jerkbaits
Presentations: casting
Depth: 5 to 15-ft.
Time: morning
Habitat: rock banks, small pockets
Where: Roan Creek, Elk River
Smallmouth:
Action: great
Lures: flies, silver buddies, spoons, swimbaits
Presentations: tight lined / float-n-fly, casting, jigged, slow rolled
Depth: 25 to 60-ft.
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: main lake points
Where: dam, point 2, Roan Creek, Cove Ridge
Crappie
Action: fair
Lures: hair jigs
Presentations: tight lined / jigged
Depth: 8 to 16-ft.
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: brush, bluffs with laydowns
Where: points 11 and 7
Walleye:
Action: fair
Lures: silver buddies, spoons
Presentations: jigged
Depth: 18 to 25-feet
Time: morning
Habitat: points
Where: Elk River Arm, Point 11
Norris Fishing Report 2-10-2012
NORRIS FISHING REPORT
8 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
The water elevation at midnight, 8 February was 1003.2-feet, which is 1.7-inches lower than it was last Wednesday. The water level is predicted to fall 7.5-inches by midnight, Friday, Feb. 10. Surface water temperature readings show 48 – 50 degrees, lake-wide, the warmer temperature coming on sunny afternoons in stained sections. The Clinch inflow at Highway 25E was 48 degrees with about 2-feet of visibility on Wednesday. Sycamore Creek had clear, 48 degree water running into it. There was 4-feet of visibility and 50 degree water at the mouth of Davis Creek near Point 12. The Powell arm had a slight stain and 50 degree water as far down as Point 12. Below Point 11, the water was clear and 48 degrees. Cove Creek was stained on its upper half and 48 degrees.
To view all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htm.
SUMMARY
BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Fair. Surface to 20-feet, on steep, rocky banks and in the hollows near wood structure. Popping bugs, crickets, and nightcrawlers. CRAPPIE: Moderate. 3 to 5-feet deep. Popeye hair jigs, tuffy minnows fished by themselves or with small hair flies or on leadheads. Some of the black crappie have exceeded 1 pound.
Large creek hollows and main channel brush on the upper half of the reservoir have been best. Best on cloudy days and in stained areas.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Good. Surface to 10 feet, close to wood cover and chunk-rock shorelines. Hair jigs with or without small trailers, with larger jigs/trailers working best in stained water sections. Jerkbaits, swimbaits, fished close to the shoreline near cover and substrate or cover transition areas. Orange or dark red Bandit-type crankbaits worked best in the stained sections, close to the rocks, but were slow to produce where the water was clear.
SMALLMOUTH BASS: Good. In stained sections, some were shallow; clear water had them at 15 to 20-feet on cloudy or windy days, a few feet deeper on sunny ones, and usually near the bottom on points and rocky, main channel shorelines. In clear water, the best catches are coming on 1/16th ounce to ¼ ounce small hair jigs, the smaller heads producing better. Brown and dark orange, or black. Live bait (shiners) is taking smallmouth on the humps. Float and fly success was fair with a few exceptions.
REGULATION CHANGE REMINDER FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS, ONLY, beginning October 16:
From June 1-Oct. 15, there is a 20-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass with a creel limit of one. The change replaces the 17-22 inch slot limit. The daily creel limit for largemouth/smallmouth in combination remains five per day on Norris Reservoir. There will be an 18-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass with a creel limit of five in combination with largemouth, from Oct. 16-May 31.
SPOTTED BASS: Good. Very close to wood structure on rock and gravel shorelines on the Powell side and to Cove Creek. The Clinch side was slower for spotted bass. Small topwater plugs and popping bug, small jerk baits (Flukes, mainly) or small hair jigs.
STRIPED BASS: Good. 20 to 35-feet deep in the channels. Umbrella rigs with chartreuse or white plastic. ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, shad or alewife. Trolled or tightlined to depth where baitfish are found near humps and points. Islands around Hickory Star to 33 Bridge, Cove Creek, Mill Creek.
The current striped bass regulation is 1 fish/day, with a minimum length limit of 36-inches. This regulation is in effect from November to March.
WALLEYE: Slow. The few walleye which are showing up have come through unintentional catches by bass anglers. They’re deep along the steeper, broken rock channel, near old, downed timber.
The few that have been caught have been large fish. Troll or vertical jig hair flies tipped with minnows, or use bass-type spinners near old timber, 20-feet deep on the steeper, rocky banks from Point 9 to the Dam, upper Big Creek on old, downed timber along rocky banks. Almost anywhere there is old timber in the water extending to a 20-feet depth is capable of holding walleye right now. Upriver fishing should be starting to produce male walleye above Points 31 and 17.
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SPECIES DETAILS
BLUEGILL/REDEAR
Fair.
10 to 25-feet deep for bluegill, shallower for redear (shellcracker). Winter has slowed bluegill action. Some are being caught on nightcrawlers or crickets fished near bottom wood structure in the coves. Popping bugs are still catching some. Small Rooster Tail spinners have taken some, deep. Shellcracker fishing is slow. Fish for these on the bottom with nightcrawlers, along sand and gravel shorelines on sunny afternoons, 10 to 15-feet deep.
CRAPPIE
Moderate.
3 to 5-feet deep in stained water brush. Good lures: small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows.
Main channel and creek hollow brush in early morning, or all day on cloudy days. The size of the crappie has been excellent, with some approaching 2 pounds.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Good.
Surface to 5-feet, and 18 to 20-feet. Very close to the shoreline and wood structure. Heavily stained areas will have these fish holding very close to the shoreline and shallower. Stained water sections will have largemouth hitting larger lures.
In clear water, larger fish are 15 to 20-feet deep. Hair or rubber skirted jigs, and soft jerk or swimbaits. Watermelon, brown, orange, or red colors have worked this week.
Dark red or orange Bandit crankbaits produced in the mud-stained areas when fished close to the shoreline rocks. Crankbaits otherwise did not produce well, overall.
Soft jerkbaits, with smoke or bluegill color 3-inch Twisters (grubs) on lead heads are producing well. Hair or rubber skirted jigs up to 3/8 oz, in brown or red, with craw or pork trailers are working well.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Good. Same pattern continues:
20 to 25-feet in clear water; shallower where the water is stained. Near the bottom on rocky shorelines and rock outcroppings on points and any area where there are current breaks. 3/16 to a maximum size of ¼ ounce hair jigs have taken the most smallmouth. Brown, black, orange patterns, with or without trailers. Live bait or hair jigs tipped with bait worked well along the rocky shorelines and on the humps. Rubber-skirted jigs took some nice smallmouth with ¼ or 3/8th oz heads, but the numbers caught didn’t match those caught with the smaller lures.
The water is cold. Use smaller lures, a slower retrieve and 4 to 6 pound-test, low-visibility line.
Night fishing continues on slow-rolled Colorado or willow leaf blade spinners (with trailers) and pig’n jigs worked along the bottom, down the moderately sloped banks. Expect this action to improve as the water cools.
STRIPED BASS
Good.
20 to 35-feet in the channels and across long points and over deep humps.
Look for baitfish concentrations. Surfacing baitfish were hard to locate on the sunny, post-front days, but some were seen near Wood Duck Island and Rabbit Island at dusk.
Troll umbrella rigs (6-inch pearl or chartreuse swimbaits as the lure components), ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, or live bait (shad or alewife) tightlined to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel and across the points and humps. Island F vicinity to 33 Bridge and mid-Cove Creek have produced good striped bass catches. Before using umbrella rigs, read the Fishing Regulations and the hook size/number restrictions which are in effect.
WALLEYE
Slow.
20-feet deep
Rocky, steep banks where there is old timber which extends to about 15 to 20-feet in depth. The upper river sections have improved water conditions; male walleye should be showing up near Points 31 and 32 on the Clinch, and Points 16 to 17 on the Powell side. On the lower end of the lake, the few which have been caught have been coincidental catches by bass anglers using hair jigs or spinners on the lower half of the lake. The size of those caught has been good.
Suggested technique: troll RedFins, Thundersticks, or similar deep diving crankbaits very close to the downed timber, along steep banks with large broken rocks.
phs
Melton Hill Fishing Report 2-10-2012
Melton Hill Fishing Report
February 9, 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 793.8 ft. above sea level.
The average water surface temperature is right at 50 degrees.
Cooler surface temperatures can be found in the early morning hours.
The reservoir is mostly clear.
SUMMARY Fishing is a little slow this week and it looks as though the reservoir has been dropped about 2-3 feet, which could possibly be for dock repair and shoreline cleanup. Recent rains have made the reservoir a little discolored in some areas. A little bit of color in the water does help sometimes because it helps to keep the fish from seeing boats and anglers. Lures that make some noise, such as crankbaits with rattles inside and other lures that have flash such as spinnerbaits usually do well in colored and stained water. Bluegills and all other types of sunfish are still fairly active but moderating somewhat. The largemouth, smallmouth and the spotted bass are still biting, but have moderated also. Muskies are doing fair right now and seem to be holding close to structure.
MUSKIES
Improving
3 to 12-feet
The main channel below the steam plant is always a good place to try. Fallen timber and submerged or at least partially submerged timber seems to be a favorite hangout for big muskies. Big chartreuse spinner baits and big trout imitating jerk baits are a good choice right now. Bulldogs and shallow invaders are excellent lure choices for big muskies. Remember, there is 50 inch minimum length limit on these trophy fish. This means a musky less than 50 inches must be returned to the water unharmed.
BASS
Moderating
6 to 12-feet
Big chartreuse and white spinnerbaits seem to be the lure of choice right now. But, crankbaits are doing fair also. It does help if the dam is spilling water which it has been lately. If the dam is not spilling the bite seems to be a little slower. Rocky outcrops and points seem to be holding the bigger bass, while submerged timber or underwater humps and islands are holding good numbers also. The downstream sides of ambush positions are very good spots to swim a spinnerbait through. Deep divers and swimbaits are good lure choices for fishing deep water. Rattletraps and other lipless crankbaits are good for covering lots of water quickly.
CRAPPIE
Slow
6 to 17-feet
Crappie are still around but are still scattered for the most part. Your best bet for crappie is fishing about 17-22 feet deep, using live minnows. Submerged timber close to deeper water is a good place to start looking.
STRIPED BASS
2 to 12-feet
The striped bass are always present in Melton Hill and there have been a few anglers fishing for them. The best bait for stripers or (rock fish) is undoubtedly live skipjack. Live skipjack hooked thru the back just behind the dorsal fin with about a 6/0 circle hook is a good rig for stripers.
You can either tightline them or tie a partially inflated balloon onto your line at whatever depth you desire. Let the skipjack swim around as much as it wants to. Striped Bass have no trouble swallowing an 8-10 inch skipjack. However, you must have heavier tackle for these big fish.
Ft. Loudon Fishing Report 2-10-2012
Fort Loudoun Fishing Report
February 9, 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 808.9 feet above sea level.
The dam will be spilling until further notice. Use caution around all dams.
The average surface temperature is holding right at 50 degrees.
The reservoir mostly clear, but a little discolored in some areas due to recent rains.
SUMMARY
There have been some reports of a few walleye starting to show up at the forks of the river, upstream from Knoxville. The white bass are hitting extremely well around the Ish Creek area. Small crankbaits are catching some very nice 1-3 lb. fish. Small rattle traps in blue and chrome and just about any other minnow imitating crankbaits seem to be doing the best right now. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting reaction lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Rapalas are doing fair along with other minnow imitating crankbaits like bandits and shad raps in silver with black backs. The water seems to be a little turbulent right now which is causing some areas of the reservoir to be stained and somewhat murky at times. The crappies are still clinging to submerged brush and fallen timber. As usual, live minnows are the number one bait choice for some nice keeper crappies. A float and small lead head tipped with a minnow is a very good choice right now and red seems to be a good color choice for the lead head. Pink lead heads are also doing quite well.
STRIPED BASS
3-12 FEET
Moderating The canal between Tellico and Fort Loudoun reservoirs is an excellent place to fish for some big striped bass. Some are being caught from the bank, and some from boat. Big chartreuse or white bucktail jigs in the 7/8 to 1 oz. size are the best lure choice. There have been some nice sized striped bass caught in the canal where Tellico reservoir meets Fort Loudoun reservoir. Live skipjack in the 8-12 inch range is the best live bait. Swimbaits are also catching a few.
CRAPPIE
6-10 FEET
Improving
The crappie bite seems to be picking back up and they are biting very well over the entire reservoir. They seem to be moving their way back up to shallower water and into the brushpiles and submerged timber. Trolling grubs close to the river and creek channels is a good place to start. Chartreuse grubs in 1/16to 1/4 oz. size are doing very well right now. White and silver grubs are doing well also. But the float and lead head tipped with minnow is doing the best.
BASS
3-10 FEET
Improving
Points still seem to be the biggest bass magnets. The deep sides of the points seem to be preferred by the bigger bass. Run deep diving crankbaits down the deep sides of points and shallow diving crankbaits up near the lake banks near submerged timber and brushpiles. Medium sized chartreuse or white spinnerbaits are doing ok, along with bandit crankbaits in minnow imitating colors.
BLUEGILL
2-8 FEET
Moderating
The bluegills are beginning to moderate slightly. They prefer small live bait such as crickets, redworms, pieces of nightcrawlers and even small artificial lures like grubs and very small crankbaits. A slip bobber set up is a good way to find some bigger bluegills when they are a little deeper. But, right now you can find them anywhere on the reservoir. Submerged timber and brush are the best places to find these tasty panfish.
CATFISH
8-30 FEET
Moderating
The catfish have slowed down for now. Nightcrawlers and chicken liver seem to be the top bait choices for the smaller cats. However, cut bait seems to be the best bait for the bigger cats. Cut bait mainly consists of a shad or other oily baitfish cut into pieces and placed on a fairly big hook with a sinker from about 1/2 to 1 ½ ounces. It is best to have heavier rods and reels for the bigger cats because they can pull very hard once hooked. They have even been known to pull entire fishing poles from the hands of anglers on occasion. Catfish primarily range from 1 or 2 pounds up to and including some in the 50-60 lb. range and everything in between. You can catch them during daylight hours, but they seem to become more active at night.
WALLEYE
5-12 FEET
Improving
The walleye bite seems to be improving slightly. There have been some reports of walleye showing up near the forks of the river, which is slightly upstream from Knoxville. There doesn’t seem to be a large quantity showing up just yet, but the numbers should continue to improve over the next month and into March. The ones that are showing up seem to like white and chartreuse jigs bounced off the bottom. 3/4to 7/8 ounce is a good size leadhead. Tip the jig with a 2-3 inch shiner minnow for added flavor and scent.
Douglas Fishing Report 2-10-2012
DOUGLASLAKEFISHING REPORT
09 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
Water elevation is 953.43 feet which is a 2.25 foot drop in depth from the 2 February 2012 measurement of 955.68 feet. Average surface temperature for the week is 49.4 degrees averaged across the lake. Water clarity has been good, for the most part of the week, on the main channel and stained on all creeks.
SUMMARY:
Crappie activity has improved since last reporting period. Good crappie action has been enjoyed on most creeks throughout the lake system and along the shorelines and cove mouths of the main lake. The greatest element that has affected fishing success for this reporting period is the frequent, rapid rising and falling of the water level throughout the lake all week long. Walleye fishing has been good on the upper reaches of the lake. Largemouth bass successes have been less than desirable throughout the lake. Anglers have been having better success, it seems, catching Smallmouth Bass.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS:
Fair.
Largemouth and spotted bass are remaining a challenge to angers. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to fish.
Fish deep during the entire day. The heavy stained water conditions dictate the use of slower fishing methods in deeper water.
Again, the best producing lures are dark in color for the heavily stained water. Colors in purple, black, dark reds and chartreuse do well across the entire lake. Spinner baits in chartreuse, or any of the above colors, with gold blades work well. Lures that create noise such as rattle traps are a preferred lure in muddy water.
Good areas to try are Flat & Muddy Creeks especially where slide areas are prevalent. The Swann’s Marina area has been producing action as has the shorelines of Indian Creek. Areas near points 18 and 6 have been productive last week and are good bets for this week.
SMALLMOUTH:
Moderate.
Fishing is fair morning and evening and moderate during afternoon hours.
Fish deep water with crank baits, dark colored lizards and worms 6 to 8 inches in length. Plastic grubs on lead head jigs will also be productive. Dark blue or chartreuse spinner baits with gold blades have been catching fish. See Largemouth data.
Productive areas have been near points 17, 14 and below and just above Walters Bridge. The above areas are the same as last reporting period and remain productive areas this week.
WALLEYE:
Good.
Fishing has been good at all periods of the day. The walleye section of this report has, for the most part remained unchanged accept for the fact that the Walleye bite is really on. Really good Walleye activity appears to have arrived early at the upper end of the lake.
Fish the bottom of river channels and the mouths of creeks. Focus on underwater structure such as rocks and stumps on the river channel itself. Walleye seem to be holding close to the bottom.
Try hard jerk baits or Zara Pups, green plastic grubs, hair jigs and lead heads with feather tails. Green lead heads have been particularly effective in current if allowed to bounce along on the bottom mud.
Try the main channel at point 18, Walters Bridge and above point 20. Focus on the center of the river channel above Leadvale ramp. Fish the junction point where the Nolichucky River joins the French Broad. All the water above Swann’s Marina is productive.
Crappie:
Good.
The rapidly changing depths of the lake have made crappie fishing difficult over this report period, however, increased successes are noted over the last reporting period with both white and black crappie being caught in better numbers all over the lake this week.
Tube jigs, 1/32 ounce hair and feather jigs of various color, minnow and bobber adjusted to just off the bottom all will work well.
Fish muddy points and all quiet water along any rocky shoreline. Fish mud flats and any bottom areas that contain stumps for cover. Rip-rap and floating debris at the back of channels will usually have crappie under it. Indian Creek, Flat Creek and Muddy Creek near points B and D have all shown the best potential for success this week. Nina Creek and point 16 are good crappie waters. Don’t overlook the Leadvale ramp area on the shoreline.
South Holston and Watauga Fishing Report
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR
Surface Temperature: 48 – 51
Elevation: 1708.1
Change in Elevation: -2.6
Water Clarity: Clear/Stained
Largemouth:
Action: fair
Lures: crankbaits, 5” swimbaits, spoons
Presentations: casting
Depth: 5-15 feet
Time: morning
Habitat: rock banks, small pockets
Where: Washington Co. Park area, Spring Creek
Smallmouth:
Action: great
Lures: flies, silver buddies, spoons, Diminki 3”
Presentations: tight lined / fnf casting, jigged, vertical jigged
Depth: 8-12 feet, 40-60 feet
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: main lake points
Where: dam, point 2, Big Creek, Riddle Creek, Minton Hollow, Josiah Creek
Crappie
Action: fair
Lures: hair jigs
Presentations: tight lined / jigged
Depth: 8-16 feet
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: brush, bluffs with laydowns
Where: Battery Hollow, Spring Creek, Wolf Creek
WATAUGA RESERVOIR
Surface Temperature: 49 – 52
Elevation: 1951
Change in Elevation: -2.1
Water Clarity: Clear/Stained
Largemouth:
Action: good
Lures: crankbaits, swimbaits, spoons, jerkbaits
Presentations: casting
Depth: 5-15 feet
Time: morning
Habitat: rock banks, small pockets
Where: Roan Creek, Elk River
Smallmouth:
Action: great
Lures: flies, silver buddies, spoons, swimbaits
Presentations: tight lined / fnf casting, jigged, slow rolled
Depth: 25-60 feet
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: main lake points
Where: dam, point 2, Roan Creek, Cove Ridge
Crappie
Action: fair
Lures: hair jigs
Presentations: tight lined / jigged
Depth: 8-16 feet
Time: morning or evening
Habitat: brush, bluffs with laydowns
Where: points 11 and 7
Walleye:
Action: fair
Lures: silver buddies, spoons
Presentations: jigged
Depth: 18-25 feet
Time: morning
Habitat: main lake points
Where: Elk River Arm, Point 11
Norris Fishing Report
NORRIS FISHING REPORT
1 February 2011
WATER CONDITIONS
The water elevation at midnight, 1 February was 1003.34-feet, which is 11-inches higher than it was last Wednesday. The water level is predicted to fall 3-inches by midnight, Friday, Feb. 3rd. But more rain is presently falling. The water temperature in the headwaters of both river arms warmed into the 40’s, the stained sections farther downstream warming to 50 degrees on sunny days. The lower end surface temperatures have been in the high 40’s. The headwaters of both river arms is stained, with mud-stained water reaching as far as Highway 33 Bridge. There was increasing color as far down as Island F. The headwaters of some of the larger creeks are mud-stained, but there was clear water running into the headwaters of some smaller streams prior to today’s rainfall. The lower half of the lake is clear, with visibilities of 3 to 4-feet.
To view all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htm.
SUMMARY
Fluctuating water levels have anglers struggling to respond to where the fish are and how to best catch them. Those who figure it out have been doing well.
BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Fair. Surface to 20-feet, on steep, rocky banks and in the hollows near wood structure. Popping bugs are still catching some. Crickets and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom are best. Most shellcracker catches have been on nightcrawlers.
CRAPPIE: Moderate. 5 to 25-feet, depending on the time of day and water color. Popeye hair jigs, tuffy minnows fished by themselves or with small hair flies or on leadheads. Lower end crappie catches are improving at the 20-foot depth. Water with less visibility has seen crappie caught as shallow as 5-feet.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Good. Stained areas have found them following the usual movement to shallow water, close to the shoreline. Small hair jigs with or without small trailers. Jerkbaits, swimbaits, fished close to the shoreline near cover and substrate or cover transition areas. Orange or dark red Bandit-type crankbaits worked best in the stained sections, close to the rocks, but were slow to produce where the water was clear. Stained water will see these fish taking much larger lures, close to shoreline cover. Jig pole anglers could do well in the heavily stained water where the temperature is now 50 degrees.
SMALLMOUTH BASS: Good. Rising water put these fish off their feed for a few days. In stained sections, some were shallow; clear water had them at 15 to 20-feet on cloudy or windy days, a few feet deeper on sunny ones, and usually near the bottom on points and rocky, main channel shorelines. In clear water, the best catches are coming on 1/16th ounce to ¼ ounce small hair jigs, the smaller heads producing better. Brown and dark orange, or black. Live bait (shiners) is taking smallmouth on the humps. Float and fly success was fair with a few exceptions.
REGULATION CHANGE REMINDER FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS, ONLY, beginning October 16:
From June 1-Oct. 15, there is a 20-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass with a creel limit of one. The change replaces the 17-22 inch slot limit. The daily creel limit for largemouth/smallmouth in combination remains five per day on Norris Reservoir. There will be an 18-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass with a creel limit of five in combination with largemouth, from Oct. 16-May 31.
SPOTTED BASS: Good. Very close to the rock and gravel shorelines on the Powell side and to Cove Creek. The Clinch side was slower for spotted bass. Small topwater plugs and popping bug, small jerk baits (Flukes, mainly) or small hair jigs.
STRIPED BASS: Moderate. A bit slower than last week. 20 to 35-feet deep in the channels. Umbrella rigs, large bucktail jigs, shad or alewife. Trolled or tightlined to depth where baitfish are found near humps and points.
The current striped bass regulation is 1 fish/day, with a minimum length limit of 36-inches. This regulation is in effect from November to March.
WALLEYE: Slow. The few walleye which are showing up have come through unintentional catches by bass anglers. They’re deep along the steeper, broken rock channel, near old, downed timber.
The few that have been caught have been large fish. Troll or vertical jig hair flies tipped with minnows, or use bass-type spinners near old timber, 20-feet deep on the steeper, rocky banks from Point 9 to the Dam, upper Big Creek on old, downed timber along rocky banks. Almost anywhere there is old timber in the water extending to a 20-feet depth is capable of holding walleye right now.
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SPECIES DETAILS
BLUEGILL/REDEAR
Fair.
10 to 25-feet deep for bluegill, shallower for redear (shellcracker). Winter has slowed bluegill action. Some are being caught on nightcrawlers or crickets fished near bottom wood structure in the coves. Popping bugs are still catching some. Small Rooster Tail spinners have taken some, deep. Shellcracker fishing is slow. Fish for these on the bottom with nightcrawlers, along sand and gravel shorelines on sunny afternoons, 10 to 15-feet deep.
CRAPPIE
Moderate.
10 to 25-feet in clear water sections. As shallow as 5 feet in stained water brush. Good lures: small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows.
The lower end saw an increase in early morning crappie catches at 20-feet where the water was clear.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Good.
Surface to 5-feet, and 18 to 20-feet. Very close to the shoreline and wood structure. Heavily stained areas will have these fish holding very close to the shoreline and shallower. Stained water sections will have largemouth hitting larger lures.
In clear water, larger fish are 15 to 20-feet deep. Use small hair jigs, and soft jerk or swimbaits. Watermelon, brown, orange, or red colors have worked this week.
Dark red or orange Bandit crankbaits produced in the mud-stained areas when fished close to the shoreline rocks. Crankbaits otherwise did not produce well, overall.
Soft jerkbaits, with smoke or bluegill color 3-inch Twisters (grubs) on lead heads are producing well. Shaky head hair jigs in brown or red are working when fished close to the shoreline in muddy sections, or deeper in areas where the water is clear.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Good.
20 to 25-feet in clear water; shallower where the water is stained. Near the bottom on rocky shorelines and rock outcroppings on points and any area where there are current breaks. 3/16 to a maximum size of ¼ ounce hair jigs have taken the most smallmouth. Brown, black, orange patterns, with or without trailers. Live bait or hair jigs tipped with bait worked well along the rocky shorelines and on the humps. Rubber-skirted jigs took some nice smallmouth with ¼ or 3/8th oz heads, but the numbers caught didn’t match those caught with the smaller lures.
The water is cold. Use smaller lures, a slower retrieve and 4 to 6 pound-test, low-visibility line.
Night fishing continues on slow-rolled Colorado or willow leaf blade spinners (with trailers) and pig’n jigs worked along the bottom, down the moderately sloped banks. Expect this action to improve as the water cools.
STRIPED BASS
Good.
20 to 35-feet in the channels and across long points and over deep humps.
Look for baitfish concentrations. Surfacing baitfish were hard to locate on the sunny, post-front days, but some were seen near Wood Duck Island and Rabbit Island at dusk.
Troll umbrella rigs (6-inch pearl or chartreuse swimbaits as the lure components), ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, or live bait (shad or alewife) tightlined to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel and across the points and humps. Island F vicinity to 33 Bridge and mid-Cove Creek have produced good striped bass catches. Before using umbrella rigs, read the Fishing Regulations and the hook size/number restrictions which are in effect.
WALLEYE
Slow.
20-feet deep
Rocky, steep banks where there is old timber which extends to about 15 to 20-feet in depth. The upper river sections are running too cold and muddy to produce walleye action of any significance.
The few which have been caught have been coincidental catches by bass anglers using hair jigs or spinners on the lower half of the lake.
Suggested technique: troll RedFins, Thundersticks, or similar deep diving crankbaits very close to the downed timber, along steep banks with large broken rocks.
phs
