TWRA Fishing Reports

Middle Tennessee reports that crappie are still biting and biting good in Old Hickory Lake. Crappie are 3 to 5 feet deep and still full of eggs. Minnows might be ok, but small plastic grubs on light lead head jigs tossed around structure works well. Many crappie are keepers, many are just short of the 10-inch size limit. That bodes well for next year. Bluegill are also starting to bite and you can also catch bass in shallow water right now. IN fact, don't be surprised if you catch a largemouth while looking for crappie on your light gear.

On Priest, bluegill are biting in large numbers. Go to coves and look for bedding bluegill in water that is 2 to 6 feet deep. You can fish crickets, worms, or small plastic baits. A good method is to fish small plastic grubs below light bobbers on light line and twitch the bobber every few seconds. Wait for the hit.

Water temps on both lakes is a tad under 70 degrees. Probably hitting 70 by the end of the day with air temps. now reaching 80 plus degrees in Middle Tennessee.

Lots of water in the Caney Fork River. It is too dangerous to fish by wading anglers. However, some reports are of stripers being caught a mile plus downriver from the dam. 

The Corps of Engineers has placed no restriction buoys around several dams in Middle Tennessee recently, both above and below the dams. However, legislation working its way through the Unites States Congress would require for the Corps to remove those buoys. We will report hear the outcome of that legislation soon.

JUNE 5, 2013 FISHING REPORTS

COURTESY OF TN WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY

Caney Fork:   Some really big rainbow trout have been caught near the dam while fishing spoons during generation.  Fly fishing has been good in periods of no flow near Betty’s Island and Happy Hollow.

Center Hill:  Fishing is good.  Water temperature is 77 degrees; lake is stable.  Lots of bass are being caught at night on jigs and soft-plastics in 5-to-10 feet of water.  Walleye fishing is fair while trolling nightcrawlers in 15 feet of water on the flat banks.  Bluegill fishing is good using crickets on the bluffs in 10 feet of water.

Chickamauga: The surface water temperature on 6/02/13 was 75.6 degrees.  The lake elevation on the same day was 682.5 feet.  This elevation is considered normal.  Grass beds are growing and in some areas the hydrilla is already on the surface of the water.  Striped bass and white bass are being caught in the tailwaters below Watts Bar Dam.  Crankbaits, jigs and shad are being used to catch these fish.  One angler recently caught a few good smallmouth while fishing the river humps and ledges in the tailwaters.  Largemouth bass are being caught over grass beds in the large river flat areas.  Some schooling bass are being caught along ledges and points.  Main lake humps are holding some quality bass.  Various lures including swimbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits are being methodically worked along these summer areas.  Crappie anglers are fishing areas near deeper water with jigs or minnows to catch crappie.  Docks, brush, and blowdowns should be the target areas in the deeper water.  Bluegill and shellcracker sunfish can be found in spawning areas, but most have completed their work and are moving into deeper areas.  Worms and crickets are used for bait by most folks seeking sunfish.  Catfish are being caught by drifters located in the main channel and in the larger creeks.  Some catfish are being located along the rocky banks in the main channel.  Most baits typically associated with catching catfish are being used.

Dale Hollow:  Fishing is fair.  Water temperature is 76 degrees. Lake is stable.  Bass fishing is fair at night with jigs on points in 10 feet of water.  Walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers near weed beds in 15 feet of water.  Shellcrackers and bluegill are still being caught while fishing nightcrawlers around the weedbeds in 10 feet of water.

Parksville Lake: The lake elevation on 6/02/13 was 823.6 feet.  This elevation is 5.4 feet below normal elevation.  The surface water temperature on the same date was 75.4 degrees.  Crappie anglers are catching a few crappie while using minnows or jigs for bait.  Bluegill are being caught by those anglers targeting pockets along the main lake.  A few redear sunfish are being caught while spawning in the upper portion of the reservoir.  Worms and crickets are being used for bait.  Spotted bass and a few largemouth are being caught by many anglers.  Jerkbaits cast along rocky points is a technique that many successful anglers are using.  Plastic worms fished tight in cover is the other technique that anglers are using. 

Hiwassee River: The water temperature at Patty Bridge on 5/30/13 was 54 degrees.  The water surface water temperature at the ramp near the powerhouse was 51.1 degrees.  Many anglers are enjoying plentiful numbers of trout being caught while fishing from the bank, wading and drifting.  Bait anglers, fly casters, and spin anglers are enjoying catching mostly rainbow and brown trout.  Drifters are catching the greater number of fish.  Some anglers are on occasion catching trout as large as 19 or 20 inches long.

Watts Bar: The water surface temperature on 6/02/13 was 75.3 degrees.  The lake surface elevation was 740.9 feet on the same day.  This elevation is considered normal.  Bass are being caught while schooling by a few anglers.  Points, humps and ledges in areas where the current is present is the type of area where schooling fish are being caught.  Plastics rigged various ways, crankbaits, and spoons are being used to catch these fish.  Some trick worm and jig fishermen are catching bass around docks located between the deep and shallow areas.  Crappie are being caught in deeper brush in the large secondary water locations.  Some anglers are pushing jigs or minnows in 20 feet of water or deeper in large secondary water locations to catch suspended post-spawners.  Black crappie can be caught around community dock holes if you are lucky enough to have a reservation.  These docks need a little depth underneath them or deep water in the immediate area.  A break underneath the dock will be a crappie magnet for some docks.  Striped bass and white bass are being caught in the upper portion of the Tennessee and Clinch River.  Shad, jigs and larger topwater baits are being used to catch striped bass.  Jigs, spinner-type lures and minnows are being used to catch white bass. Some drifters are catching catfish in the main lake areas while using live or cut bait.

COURTESY OF TN WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY
May 20, 2013 Fishing Reports

Chickamauga - The water surface temperature is above seventy degrees.  The lake has fluctuated and has been muddy in areas due to the consistent rainfall.  Lake levels on May nineteen was one-half foot above the highest elevation considered normal and rising.  Heavy rain is currently falling.  Bass anglers are catching many fish but at lower numbers and weights than those in previous weeks.  A walk along the bank on Saturday indicated some of the largest numbers of fish present in shallow areas probably this year.  It was a view only challenged by the Chattanooga Aquarium.  Massive numbers of sunfish have moved into these shallow areas along with some crappie and one of the largest waves of spawning bass to date. Worms and crickets have been the primary baits used to catch sunfish.  Bass anglers have used an arsenal to lure bass. Worms, jigs and spinnerbaits are being used as often as any other baits to catch bass.  Post-spawn bass have been targeted as often as the spawners.  The target areas include secondary points and slight drops or irregular areas next to the spawning grounds.  Some trollers have caught crappie in areas close to the spawning grounds.  The popular depth to target these fish is twelve feet deep.  Some dock shooters have caught several crappie, but a once common art has become a fad and a reservation time is required at most docks.  Catfish have been caught most often in creeks and secondary areas.  Muddy moving water in secondary areas create idea conditions for concentrations of catfish.  Meaty baits and creations have been used to target catfish.  White bass and striped bass have been caught in areas near the tailwaters.  Smallmouth bass have been caught close to the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant while using jigs, crankbaits and small worms.  A few trophy fish have been caught.  A local angler caught a five pound and a six pound smallmouth bass in the area directly below Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. 

Hiwassee River - The river has cleared and become stable.  Two generators have been running most times at the Apalachia Powerhouse.  The water temperature on May nineteen at Patty Bridge was 50 degrees.  Areas upriver from Patty Bridge are slightly cooler. Anglers have been catching trout in various locations.  Most activity has been above the railroad bridge.  Those wading, drifting and bank fishing have experienced positive conditions and success rates while employing different strategies.  Drifters have probably caught a few more trout than those wading or fishing from the bank.  Waders and drifters primarily use fly rods and dry flies.  The other anglers use spinners, corn or worms most often.  Many local anglers as well as travelers use the area.  This is the place for a slower pace and a magical touch with nature.

Parksville Lake (Ocoee No. 1) - The Lake surface temperature is near seventy degrees.  The elevation on May nineteen was over five feet lower than normal.  TVA is replacing boards at the dam damaged from recent flooding and debris at the dam.  Many fish have been bedding.  One shellcracker was recently caught that exceeded two pounds.  Several large bluegill are being caught in very shallow areas.  One angler recently was using panfish assassins with a number two hook to catch bluegill.  This is not the typical bluegill rig.  Crappie were being caught in previous days at a rate higher than anytime this year.  Fishermen in upper lake sloughs near brushy areas or blowdowns while using minnows or jigs were the anglers catching the greater number of crappie.  Largemouth and spotted bass were being caught while using jigs, plastic worms, or crankbaits.  Some spawning fishing can be found, but many have moved into secondary locations that include points or blowdowns on sloping banks.  The bigger spotted bass have not been as frequently caught as they were in earlier months.  Twelve pounds of bass might be enough to win the local tournament.

Watts Bar - The lake elevation on May nineteen was at the normal summer level.  The water surface temperature is averaging in the lower seventies.  Bass anglers are catching plenty of fish in the spawning areas.  A wave of bass have moved into the shallows to spawn but many have completed the task and now have moved into post spawn locations.  Plastic worms have been as effective as any lure to catch bass. Some anglers use the same approach as the worm fishermen, but choose jigs over plastic worms.  A topwater bite has occurred for many late evening anglers. Crankbaiters catch their share of bass this time of year and they get the reaction bites.  At least a couple of bass over seven pounds have reportedly been caught in recent days.  Catfish have been caught often by those anglers targeting other species.  Most of these catfish have been caught in secondary locations.  Striped bass and white bass have been caught in areas in the upper part of the reservoir.  Jigs, crankbaits and shad have been used to catch both species.  Some anglers have caught walleye while targeting white bass.