TWRA Fishing Reports

Region 4 Fishing Reports 5-9-2013

CHEROKEE LAKE FISHING REPORT

09 May 2013

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water elevation is 1067.67 feet as of 4AM, May 9, 2013.  This measurement reflects a 1.65-foot increase in water level from last week’s report.  An average surface temperature on the reservoir for this reporting period was 64.6 degrees. The water is currently stained on all creeks and lightly stained on reservoir bay areas.  

 

SUMMARY:   

Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are available to anglers at all points on the reservoir.  They can be found at shorelines as well as deep.  Suspended fish are finally not the norm this reporting period.  Crappie have been very active on creeks as well as shallow bay shorelines.  Striped bass are still very active on most wide bay areas. 

 

SMALLMOUTH, LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS:  Good

Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass are all biting very well.

Creeks and bay shorelines are equally productive.  There is no one particular area that reflects better fishing than any other.  Fish traditional areas and enjoy catching bass.

Crank baits and spinner baits in shades of green, chartreuse and shad color were seen being used every day of the week.  Jerk baits appear to be the most popular bait of the week.  Umbrella rigs seem to be in everyone’s tackle box.  Lizards have been very effective on creek shorelines.

Fish rocky shorelines along the bay as well as in creeks.  A shallow crank bait pulled parallel to a rocky shoreline works.  If no hits – pull it through again thirty feet further out from the shoreline.  The same holds for jerk baits.  Try Chartreuse as long as the water is stained.

 

WHITE BASS:  Good

This entry is unchanged.  White bass are still active on the upper Holston River.

Popular lures being used are rat-L-traps, roostertails, bucktails and Dardevle spoons in red with white.  The fish are distributed across the river channel.

Try areas at or near the Joe B. Day and Malinda Bridges.  Pockets and holes behind current breaking rocks will hold fish.

Those with boats, will find that jigging deep, long depressions beneath the current will hold fish.  Jig with silver spoons or dardevle red and white spoons.  Heavy rooster tails work very well also.  One ounce or heavier green jigs will catch fish.  Calmer, slower current would be a good pace to troll.

 

STRIPED BASS:  Good

Striped bass success bounced back this report period.  It might be because more anglers could get on the water, due to improved weather conditions.

Try deep water just off islands at all points on the lake.  Follow the gulls for concentrations of bait fish.  The area just below the John Sevier overflow dam has been a desirable location for anglers to catch striped bass.  That entire end of the river has been a hot spot.

Locations for striped bass changes by the day and hour.  The information that follows is a week old and may not pertain to current situations.  Striped bass have been very active at the John Sevier outflow as well as the reservoir sections above the 25E bridge boat ramp.  The bay near Twin Churches access area has been good fishing as well as the bay in front of Kidwell Access.  Areas near points 20 and 21 have been fishing well.

Shad colored swim baits have been a good pick of lures for the clear water.  Trolling these big baits seems to be the accepted method of fishing on the main bay as well as deep creek mouths.  Live shad tight lined is a popular method for stripers.  Large jigs in green color and green swim baits are preferred bait and are effective.  Live shad seems to be the most selected bait on the lake over the report period.  Use green swim baits for deep fishing either singular or on an umbrella rig.  Remember that three hooks per rod is the regulation.  A treble hook is considered one hook.

 

CRAPPIE & BLUEGILL:

Crappie:  Good

Bluegill:   Good

Crappie and bluegill fishing has improved.

Crappie are distributed along all bay shorelines and creeks. 

Small, weighted crappie spinners fished deep to twenty feet have worked well.  The preferred color is green.  All shades have been seen.  Crappie jigs in green, fished deep are catching the most fish and definitely the largest fish over this past week.  Creek fishing has improved drastically and is probably offers the best chance to fill the creel. The larger fish were still caught against the rocks along the main bay and island areas in deeper water to thirty feet.  Bobbers with minnows as well as hair jigs are affective, especially along creek banks that contain rock and plenty of wood. 

The Kidwell access area backwater has been really fishing well.  Caney Creek saw an incline in catch rates as well as the opposite side of the lake across from the ramp.  Poor Valley Creek is very productive at all points.  Fish all shorelines containing any kind of cover.  Focus on creek mouths with depths to twenty or thirty feet.  Fish crappie spinners along boulders and any wood. 

Concentrated floating logs and other debris at the back of creek channels will hold crappie and bluegill. 

All the creeks remain stained due to recent rains and probably will remain so for much of the coming week as more heavy rain is expected.  Poor Valley Creek is probably the most productive creek with German Creek and Caney coming in second and third respectively. 

 

WALLEYE:  Fair

Walleye activity has seen resurgence this week.

Popular bait is the pheasant tail jig in green color to tumble along in the river channel.  For shoreline fishing – try a light jig (1/8th or 1/16th ounce) in red, chartreuse or red.  A small to medium Husky Jerk is super for deeper water.  Jigs tipped with a minnow are productive.

Walleye are still active in the river section below the John Sevier Reservoir out flow dam all the way downstream to Malinda Bridge.  Fish the upper river system and creek mouths bordering bay areas.  Walleye are still fishing fairly well at the overflow of the John Sevier Reservoir.  The river system at Joe B. Brown and Malinda Bridges remains an important walleye stretch of water.

 

 

JOHN SEVIER RESERVOIR FISHING REPORT

9 May 2013

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water temperatures averaged 58.5 degrees with stained water conditions on the river to include Beech and Big Creeks.  Flow on the river is moderate with large pieces of woody debris floating in channel.  Center stream depths vary between 16 and 18 feet.  Navigable shoreline water shows depths of 4 to 5 feet.

 

SUMMARY:

Anglers have shown an increased interest in redear sunfish over the past week.  Largmouth bass is the main attractant to the water with crappie the second.  Channel catfish are also a top target for fishermen.  Somewhere in between lies the redear sunfish.  Bluegill are really active now.  Angler numbers to the waterway were on the increase throughout the week until the recent rains occurred three days ago and have been persistent up to and including now, 5-8-13.

 

LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS:  Good

Largemouth and smallmouth are distributed throughout the reservoir. 

There is no one particular area of the reservoir that is better than the next.  John Sevier is part of the Holston River system and fish are contained in a very different environment than a contained reservoir.  The habitat is great and varied.  Fish all the water paying attention to shorelines that contain concentrations of wood.  In the case of John Sevier – that would be both sides of the river.

Fish crank baits and spinner baits with a slow, even retrieve.   Shad colored Rattle Traps are effective.   Lizards are fished very slowly on the bottom and seem to be effective against bridge piers and rocky shorelines.  Jerk and Buzz Baits are effective.

 

REDEAR SUNFISH & CRAPPIE:  Good

Redear and crappie are distributed over the entire expanse of the reservoir from Big Creek all the way to the steam plant.

Some average size redear have been caught far upstream from the above of Beech Creek but, larger fish have been found downstream and closer to the steam plant.  The water is deeper on the left shoreline but recently anglers have been catching large redear to the right of the main river channel, closer to the submerged mud at center stream.  Use caution in that area because the depth changes from 14 feet to 8 inches in seconds.

Use crappie spinner for both species.  Minnows and a bobber are really the trick for crappie.  Crappie spinners and grubs proved irresistible to redear.

 

BLUEGILL:  Good

Bluegills are highly active now.  Some redear anglers are actually upset due to the quantity of bluegills coming to the hook instead of redears.

Bluegill can be found just about anywhere on the river system at any time. 

Fish along any wood on the shoreline.  Even tiny shoreline inlets that are shadowed by the sun will hold bluegill.  There are uncountable overhanging tree limbs along both shores.  Fish under all of these.

Use crappie spinners and flies.   The plain old red worm works magic on bluegills.

 

CATFISH:  Good

Catfish have not really been targeted much this week but a few have been noted in angler creels that were very large.

Fish with cut bait (gizzard shad), bluegill, and minnows.  Night crawlers are highly effective.

Concentrate on rock cliffs that continue sub surface.  Don’t forget the grassy shorelines that have good water depth.  Some nice cats have been taken center river at the deepest locations.

 

                                                                                                  

NORRIS FISHING REPORT

                                              

8 May 2013

 

WATER CONDITIONS

The water elevation on May 8th was 1022.16-feet, which is 5.5-inches higher than it was last Wednesday. The water level is predicted to rise 3-inches by midnight, Friday, May 10th. The inflow is 9,263 cfs. Norris dam has water spilling until further notice. The reservoir water temperature remains cooler than average for the season. Morning surface temperatures are in the low 60’s lake wide. Morning temperatures in the channels of the Powell and Clinch arms have been 61 degrees, but rising to as high as 67 degrees in the afternoon. On sunny afternoon, the surface has warmed as high as 70 degrees in some locations. The channel color is clear with visibilities as high as 10-feet.

Moon phase: waning crescent.

To view photos and Google maps of all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htmor http://tinyurl.com/chm2ts9.

For the Norris lake elevation, inflow rates, and generation times, go to http://www.tva.gov/lakes/noh_r.htm.

 

SUMMARY

No change since last week, except for the lake elevation being a little higher, putting water farther into shoreline vegetation. But the water temperature remains cooler than usual. Anglers venturing out late on sunny afternoons are finding more fish in the shallow vegetation after the water has warmed. Main channel fish are remaining deeper than those in warmer water found in coves. Clear water has them deep, or tight to vegetation and other woody structure in those areas. Crappie, shellcrackers, and largemouth bass are nesting among the flooded brush and small trees.

 

BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Bluegill good. Shellcracker very good. Bluegill are hitting crickets and mealworms at 25 to 35-feet close to the bottom in the coves. Shellcracker are 4 to 10-feet deep close to flooded brush and small trees, holding close to the bottom.

 

CRAPPIE: Good in lower end creek hollows and good far upstream in the river headwaters, tight to cover in spawning areas, 5 to 10-feet.

 

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Moderate, improving.  

In the coves and rear of creeks. Shallow and close to the shore near brush, especially in large coves. Some are starting to nest, and are in the coves on sloping, sand and gravel shorelines, near cover.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Moderate.

Some have spawned, but others are still pre-spawn. On the broken rock, moderately sloped banks in the mornings, moving to more gently sloped points by midday, but still on chunk rock and near gravel. Transition zones from boulders to white gravel points, as well as shelves on clay/gravel banks have been good. Transition zones on points have been the best if not far from spawning areas on points. As deep as 20-feet.

               

          *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches.  This regulation remains         in effect until June 1st.   

 

SPOTTED BASS: Good in the hollows. Slow on main channels. On rocky shorelines and in flooded timber in the larger creek hollows. Small, crawfish pattern crankbaits and pig’n jigs along the shorelines where there are big boulders and plenty of gravel to boulder transition zones.

 

STRIPED BASS: Fair.  (*See regulation change, below, effective Nov. 1st.)   Surface to 20-feet deep in the channels. Many have moved back downstream from their spring run to the headwaters. They’re scattered. Where there are baitfish in the creeks, striped bass have been caught from the surface to less than 10-feet deep, on drifted shiners or small shad and alewife.         

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: April 1 – October 31, 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE  Fair. Lower end walleye are on the broken rock banks at less than 15-feet deep, near big, old timber, and on red clay/gravel shorelines. Night fishing along the flooded timber is improving.

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SPECIES DETAILS

BLUEGILL/REDEAR

Bluegill: Good. Shellcracker: very good.

Shellcracker have been schooling in the flooded brush and small timber, holding close to the bottom in water which is 5 to 10-feet deep. They’re schooling in anticipation of the spawn. Good catches of large shellcracker have been coming in from Mill Creek to Lost Creek, Poor Land Creek, and the islands near Hickory Star. But shellcracker are also being caught at almost any location on the lower half of the reservoir.

25 to 35-feet deep for bluegill, on the bottom, in coves and along broken rock, steep banks. Crickets or mealworms have been best for bluegill.  

For bluegill and shellcracker, use redworms, meal worms, crickets, or small minnows fished with no float, but tightlined or cast to shady, rocky banks and dragged slowly across the bottom. Crickets are the best bait.

 

CRAPPIE

Good in the rear of larger creeks on the lower end and above Point 17 on the Powell and above Point 30 on the Clinch. Good in Sycamore, Davis, and Doaks creeks.

3 to 10-feet, tight to brush and wood structure. Spawning crappie are moving into the brushy areas in the larger creek hollows and are shallow.

Good lures: Tuffy minnows, small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows, Trout Magnets, or Slider grubs in a variety of colors.

 

LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS

Moderate, best in the coves, tight into flooded vegetation. Spotted bass catches are better on the Powell side than on the Clinch.

Close to the shoreline in large coves, and along broken rock shorelines near wood structure, from the surface to 20-feet. Shallower, sand and gravel shorelines in the coves, warmed by the afternoon sun, has attracted many largemouth and baitfish. Spinners, soft jerk baits, buzz baits, and shallow running plugs have caught fish in these areas. They’re deeper on the main channels, where the water is cooler and very clear.

200 and 300 series Bandit crankbaits and Norman Little N crankbaits fished parallel to the rocks in stained sections, and soft jerk baits are catching the most, close to the shoreline wood structure. Flukes, Sliders, and other plastic lures which are able to be worked in flooded shoreline brush and timber are working best. Spawning largemouth are taking lures reluctantly, knocking plugs or moving soft plastic lures away from the nests, very often requiring repeated casts to the same area. Good hits are coming from post-spawn bass.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Moderate. Best on the days with the worst weather when sunlight penetration is less.

They’re scattered in depth, from the shallows in flooded brush to points at 25-feet. The water is very clear, with 10-feet or more of visibility. Light, low-vis line is needed.

The smallmouth spawn is partially underway. Actively spawning smallmouth have been reluctant to hit. Smaller, male smallmouth are on the gravel points and in the shoreline vegetation, as shallow as 3 to 10-feet on many days.

Most of the smallmouth caught in the shallows have been smaller fish. Larger smallmouth have hit either as deep as 20-feet, or very tight to shoreline cover after the sunlight hits the clear water.

Soft jerk baits and small plastic lures (Gitzits, Centipedes, Slider worms, etc.) have taken some tight to the banks in the flooded brush and floating wood. Those fish have not been in the rear of the coves, but closer to the mouths of coves, on secondary points, and in the pockets off the main channels. Medium running crankbaits (Bandits, Normans), soft jerk baits, and the smaller shaky head (3/32 oz) jigs rigged with the smaller worms, some “whacky style,” have worked well. Slower presentations are working in the colder water at greater depths. Leadhead jigs tipped with 3 or 4-inch smoke grubs fished with a steady, slow retrieve, just off the bottom on clay/gravel shorelines, always works well at this time of year.

Other lures which have produced: crawfish imitation colors, 3/8 oz hair jig with trailer; or popeye jigs (1/16th to 1/8th oz), tipped with a tuffy minnow. Dark green (cedar tree green) or gray colors have worked well for the small hair jigs tipped with minnows.

          *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches. This regulation remains in effect until June 1st.

 

STRIPED BASS

Fair.

These fish are returning from their spring movement upstream. Look for them in the main channels on the middle and upper half of the reservoir.

Depth: In the creek hollows and headwaters where there are many baitfish, striped bass have taken shiners or alewife or gizzard shad drifted far behind the boat at a shallow depth. Those using 3-inch, soft jerk baits have caught striped bass in the same areas.

Surface to 10-feet in the creeks where baitfish are present, but to 20-feet in the channels and across long points and over deep humps in the main channels of the river arms or large creek embayments. Look for feeding gulls which indicate the location of baitfish schools and troll or tightline alewife or shad in those locations.

Troll ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, umbrella rigs with trailers in pearl or chartreuse, or  live bait (gizzard shad, shiners, or alewife) tightlined to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel especially across the points and humps.

On the lower half of the reservoir, try Lost Creek and from Crooked Creek (behind Island F) up to 33 Bridge. The islands near Hickory Star have produced some catches. Breaking fish have been seen in the morning hours, scattered here’n there across the reservoir, but in the channels.

Point 11 to Point 12 catches have been fair. Some have been reported caught near Point 5.

There is a new, statewide hook regulation in effect. Read it here:  http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/fishing/statewide-limits-regulations/

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: April 1 – October 31, 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE

Slow.

Shallow in brushy, flooded timber at night. The darker moon phase will help night fishermen using lights.

Lower end walleye are holding close to broken rock shorelines of moderate slope, near old timber, less than 15 feet deep in the hours before noon.

They’re hitting topwater or shallow running plugs at dusk and just after dark where baitfish have moved into the shallows. That action is hit’n miss, at best, but those fish caught have been of good size.

Alewife activity along the shorelines has been limited, but some are being heard popping the surface after dark, and some anglers report catching some walleye along the shoreline at night, on Thundersticks, Long Bill Rebels, and Spooks.

phs

 

Tellico Lake Fishing Report

May 9, 2013

WATER CONDITIONS

The predicted water level is approximately 812.2 feet above sea level.

The average surface temperature is in the mid 60’s.

The reservoir is mostly clear, with some mud stained areas around creeks.

 

SUMMARY

Everything is still about the same as last week, but due to the rain, the reservoir is a mostly stained color, with only about 3to4 feet of visibility, and fishing has slowed down.  Fishing should improve as the water clears. Bass are still moving back to shallower water. The rest of the report remains unchanged from last week:

The increasing water temperatures along with the rains we’ve had recently seem to have stirred up the baitfish, which also causes the bass and other predator fish to become more active. Minnow imitating crankbaits are catching some very nice bass in just about every creek on the lake. The other big news is the crappie. More and more crappie are congregating around submerged structure in just about every corner of the reservoir. Some very nice crappie are being caught trolling with flies and grubs. But, the biggest crappie are being caught in the submerged timber on minnows at about 15ft. White bass are hitting pretty good all over the lake. The white bass seem to like small crankbaits or any other small offerings, such as little inline spinners like rooster tails, and  beetle spins.

 

Crappie

6-30 Feet

Improving

Crappie are still biting and the numbers are increasing. Submerged structure such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now. You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappie, but some are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8ounce lead heads tipped with minnows is catching some of the bigger crappie. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be the best method for catching congregated crappie in the brushpiles.

 

Walleye

9-23 Feet         

Fair

There are some walleye being caught just below the old bridge trestles off of Hwy 129. About a mile below Chilhowee Dam, you can see the old bridge trestles, and the boat ramp is just before you get there. The walleye are being caught just downstream from the ramp. Big white bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow are catching some nice sized walleye.  Chartreuse is also a good color choice. Bounce the jigs on the edges of the river channel and work them in the same direction as the current for best results. Sometimes you can find them in the flats area adjacent to the river channel. Pitch the jig up on the flats and work them back toward the channel.

 

Bass

2-12 Feet

Improving

Bass are moving back to shallower water and the shaky head worm and shaky head lizard are the top lure producers right now. Green pumpkin is the top color choice. Minnow imitating crankbaits, such as Shad Raps and Rattle Traps are really hot right now also. Sproe crankbaits are also good and seem to have a little different action than some other crankbaits, and bass do like to see a little something different sometimes. Creeks, branches, and small streams seem to be holding the majority of the bigger bass right now, especially if there are some downed trees or other submerged structure. Rocky points are another good place to look for bass. As the water temperature increases, so should the number of bass preparing for spring spawning.

 

White Bass

2-12 Feet

Good

White bass are starting to show up everywhere and make the spring run up the river and streams to spawn. These fish are very fun to catch and they are good to eat also. Just about any small minnow imitating crankbait or inline spinner such as a rooster tail or even beetle spins are good lure choices for these scrappy, hard fighting, good eating, fun to catch fish. Some of these guys can get up into the 2 pound range and those big ones can really pull. Lots of times, if you can find a school of white bass, you can catch them as fast as you can reel them in and cast out again. 

 

Tellico River Fishing Report

May 9, 2013

Water Conditions

The river is a little on the stained side as far as color.

The water temperature is in the 50’s.

Water flow is a little swift at 706 cfs.

 

Rainbow Trout

Good

Trout fishing on the Tellico River seems to be improving daily. The quantity and quality of the fish is also improving with every regular stocking. The number of limits caught should continue to improve with each stocking of the river. Rooster Tails and Panther Martin in-line spinners seem to be the best lure choice, while nightcrawlers and corn were the best bait choices. Powerbait and Powerbait Balls in chartreuse color and garlic flavor are top producers. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait choice. Using a #3 hook, pinch off about a third of a piece of nightcrawler, add 2 or three small split shot sinkers, and let the current carry that piece of nightcrawler through some rapids and hang on to your fishing pole. And please remember to carry out any trash you create while fishing. We have a beautiful stocked trout stream here that millions of people would love to have in their state. There is no size limit for rainbow trout but there is a creel limit of 7.

 

FT. PATRICK HENRY RESERVOIR

May 9, 2013

Surface Temperature: 55-57

Elevation: 1264.86

Change in Elevation: 2.3-ft.

Water Clarity: clear

 

Largemouth Bass:

Action: good
Lures: crankbaits, Alabama rig, plastic baits
Presentations: casting
Depth: 1 to 16-ft
Time: morning and evening
Habitat: rock banks, points
Where: mid-lower end

Smallmouth Bass:

Action: good
Lures: plastic baits, live minnows
Presentations: casting/slow retrieving
Depth: 3 to 7-ft
Time: morning, mid-day
Habitat: rock banks, points
Where: mid-lake

Rainbow and Brown Trout:

Action: good
Lures: powerbait, corn, small jerkbaits, swimbaits
Presentations: still, slow retrieving
Depth: 6 to 10-ft, 2 to 4-ft for swimbaits
Time: morning, evening
Habitat: rocky bottom
Where: lower end, upper end near Hwy 75 bridge, upstream of Smith shoals

 

 

Wilbur Tailwater

**WILBUR IS SPILLING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

May 9, 2013

Water Temperature: 47

Water Clarity: clear

Brown Trout:
Action: good
Lures: jerkbaits, corn
Presentations: jerk/pause, still
Depth: 0 to 4-ft
Time: anytime
Habitat: moving water
Where: Siam Bridge/Blevins Access

Rainbow Trout:
Action: good
Lures: worms, salmon eggs,
Presentations: casting, still, drifting
Depth:0 to 4-ft
Time: anytime
Habitat: moving water
Where: Blevins Access Area, Hunter Bridge

Region 4 Fishing Reports 4-25-2013

CHEROKEE LAKE FISHING REPORT

24 April 2013

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water elevation is 1063.39 feet as of 6:00 PM, April 24, 2013.  This measurement reflects a 3.30 foot increase in water level from last week’s report.  An average surface temperature on the reservoir for this reporting period was 59.96 degrees for bay areas as well as creek sections.  The water is currently heavily stained on all creeks and lightly stained on reservoir bay areas.

 

SUMMARY:   

Bass are moving to the shoreline to spawn or to leave spawning areas.  Fishing, in general, has been better toward the latter part of the week than it has been since winter.  Bass activity, especially, has increased along with the warming of the water.  Most of the suspended bass have gone to either the bottom or to shore where they are assessable to anglers.  Crappie action has been fair over this past week.  The greatest pressure on the lake has been on the upper river section of the reservoir near Malinda and Joe B. Day Bridges, primarily for white bass and walleye.

 

SMALLMOUTH, LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS:  Good

Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass are all biting well.

The creeks have been fishing very well all week.  Bay shorelines with wood or rocks especially at mouths of creeks held heavy bass.

Crank baits and spinner baits in shades of green, chartreuse and shad color were seen being used every day of the week.  Jerk baits appear to be the most popular bait of the week.  Umbrella rigs seem to be in everyone’s tackle box.  Lizards have been very effective on creek shorelines.

Fish rocky shorelines along the bay as well as in creeks.  A shallow crank bait pulled parallel to a rocky shoreline works well also.  If no hits – pull it through again thirty feet further out from the shoreline.  The same holds for jerk baits.  Try Chartreuse, as long as the water is stained.

 

WHITE BASS:  Good

White bass are still hot on the upper Holston River, below the John Sevier steam plant.

Popular lures being used are rat-L-traps, roostertails, bucktails and Dardevle spoons in red with white.  The fish are distributed clear across the river.

Try areas at or near the Joe B. Day and Malinda Bridges.  Pockets and holes behind current breaking rocks will hold fish.

Those with boats will find that jigging deep, long depressions beneath the current will hold fish.  Jig with silver spoons or dardevle red and white spoons.  Heavy rooster tails work very well also.  One ounce or heavier green jigs will catch fish.  Calmer, slower current would be a good pace to troll.

 

STRIPED BASS:  Good

Striped bass fishing has tapered off with fewer and fewer anglers targeting this species.  A few anglers have been fishing at night for stripers and having good luck.

Try deep water just off islands at all points on the lake.  Follow the gulls for concentrations of bait fish.

The bay area on the other side of the island off Granger County Park has produced nice stripers.  The bay at point 2 as well as the bay area out from Panther Creek are good spots to try.  Don’t forget the entrance to Kidwell boat ramp on the bay.

Shad colored swim baits have been a good pick of lures for the clear water.  Trolling these big baits seems to be the accepted method of fishing on the main bay as well as deep creek mouths.  Live shad tight lined is also a popular method for stripers.  Large jigs in green color and green swim baits are preferred bait and are effective.  Live shad seems to be the most selected bait on the lake over the report period.  Use green swim baits for deep fishing either singular or on an umbrella rig.  Remember that three hooks per rod is the regulation.  A treble hook is considered one hook.

 

CRAPPIE & BLUEGILL:

Crappie:  Fair

Bluegill:   Fair

Crappie and bluegill fishing is down a bit.  Those anglers who chose to crappie fish caught a fair number of fish, but few keepers.  White crappie are still holding deep while a few black crappie are near the shorelines.

Small, weighted crappie spinners fished deep to twenty feet have worked well.  The preferred color is green.  All shades have been seen.  Crappie jigs in green, fished deep are catching the most fish and definitely the largest fish over this past week. A few crappie are moving to the shore but, that has not happened in whole yet.  Creek fishing has improved drastically and probably offers the best chance to fill the creel. The larger fish were still caught against the rocks along the main bay and island areas in deeper water to thirty feet.  Bobbers with minnows as well as hair jigs are affective, especially along creek banks that contain rock and plenty of wood. 

 

Fish all shorelines containing any kind of cover.  Focus on creek mouths with depths to twenty or thirty feet.  Fish crappie spinners along boulders and any wood. 

Concentrated floating logs and other debris at the back of creek channels will also hold crappie and bluegill.  Poor Valley Creek is probably the most productive creek with German Creek and Caney coming in second and third respectively.

 

WALLEYE:  Fair

Walleye activity is still fairly good.  Information is unchanged below this point.

Popular bait is the pheasant tail jig in green color to tumble along in the river channel.  For shoreline fishing – try a light jig (1/8th or 1/16th ounce) in chartreuse or red.  A small to medium Husky Jerk is super for deeper water.  Jigs tipped with a minnow are productive.

Fish the upper river system and creek mouths bordering bay areas.  Walleye are still fishing fairly well as this is written at the overflow of the John Sevier Reservoir.  The river system at Joe B. Brown and Malinda Bridges remain an important walleye stretch of water.

 

FT. PATRICK HENRY RESERVOIR

April 4, 2013

Surface Temperature: 57-59

Elevation: 1260.36

Change in Elevation: 2.2-ft.

Water Clarity: clear

 

Largemouth Bass:

Action: good
Lures: crankbaits, Alabama rig, plastic baits
Presentations: casting
Depth: 1 to 10-ft
Time: morning and evening
Habitat: rock banks, points
Where: mid-lower end

Smallmouth Bass:

Action: good
Lures: plastic baits, live minnows
Presentations: casting/slow retrieve
Depth: 3 to 7-ft
Time: morning, mid-day
Habitat: rock banks, points
Where: mid-lake

Rainbow and Brown Trout:

Action: fair
Lures: powerbait, corn, small jerkbaits, swimbaits
Presentations: still, slow retrieve
Depth: 6 to 10-ft, 2 to 4-ft for swimbaits
Time: morning, evening
Habitat: rocky bottom
Where: lower end, upper end near Hwy 75 bridge, upstream of Smith shoals

 

 

JOHN SEVIER RESERVOIR FISHING REPORT

24 April 2013

 

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water temperatures averaged 58.2 degrees with stained water conditions on the river to include Beech and Big Creeks.  Flow on the river is slow.  Large woody debris was noted on the river last week and that condition still exists.

SUMMARY:

Largemouth bass have been very active all week with the largest concentrations near the shoreline in the rip rap.  Crappie catches have not been heavy but some really great fish have been caught.  Catfish seem to always be available.  An added note – both boat ramp parking areas have a new coating of gravel and the mud is gone.

 

LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS:  Good

Largemouth and smallmouth are both active now and can be found near the shoreline.

Fish both shorelines below the Tunnel Hill Bridge downstream to the John Sevier Steam Plant.  It would be a good idea to favor the left shoreline as one approaches the plant area.

Fish crank baits and spinner baits with a slow, even retrieve.   Shad colored Rattle Traps are effective.   Lizards are fished very slowly on the bottom and seem to be effective against bridge piers and rocky shorelines.  Jerk Baits and Buzz Baits are effective.

 

REDEAR SUNFISH & CRAPPIE:  Fair

Redear and crappie are distributed over the entire expanse of John Sevier from Big Creek all the way to the steam plant.

Fish the both shorelines, with greater attention paid to the waters near the John Sevier impoundment.  The best redear action seems to be on the Big Creek side of the river and near the steam plant.  Crappie and redear can be found in the deeper brush piles and at the edges grassy shorelines.

Use crappie spinner for both species.  Minnows and a bobber are really the trick for crappie.  Crappie spinners and grubs proved irresistible to redear.

 

CATFISH:  Good

Catfish have not really been targeted much this week but a few have been noted in angler creels that were very large.

Fish with cut bait (gizzard shad), bluegill and minnows.  Night crawler are highly effective.

Concentrate on rock cliffs that continue sub surface.  Don’t forget the grassy shorelines that have good water depth.  Some nice cats have been taken center river at the deepest locations.

 

 

 

NORRIS FISHING REPORT

24 April 2013

WATER CONDITIONS

The water elevation on 24 April was 1021.7-feet, which is 5.1-feet higher than it was last Wednesday. The water level is predicted to rise 2.4-inches by midnight, Friday, 26 April. The inflow is 7,010 cfs. Morning surface temperatures are fairly consistent, lake wide. Morning temperatures in the channels of the Powell and Clinch arms have been 59 to 61 degrees, rising to as high as 62 degrees in the afternoon on cloudy days. Sunny days have seen the surface a degree or two warmer. Some protected coves where there is more color have seen 65 degree surface temperatures. The channel color is clear. Stream inflows where there were heavier thunderstorms are getting some color.

Moon phase: The full moon will be Friday, April 26th.

To view photos and Google maps of all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htmor http://tinyurl.com/chm2ts9.

For the Norris lake elevation, inflow rates, and generation times, go to http://www.tva.gov/lakes/noh_r.htm.

 

SUMMARY

The reservoir is high, with water flooding into shoreline vegetation. But the water temperature remains lower than usual for the end of April. The sudden rise of 5-feet over the past few days has seen some bass and crappie start to move into the shallows and vegetation, but many remain deep. A pattern has been hard to nail down. As the fish become used to the higher water and available vegetation for cover, expect more to move into the shallows in coming days.

 

BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Bluegill good. Shellcracker are slow. Bluegill are hitting crickets and mealworms at 25 to 35-feet close to the bottom in the coves.

 

CRAPPIE: Moderate in lower end creek hollows, good far upstream in the river headwaters. 3 to 20-feet. Shallow crappie are in the brush at less than 10-feet, bottom depth, in the coves and creek hollows.

 

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Moderate, improving.  

Shallow and close to the shore near brush, especially in large coves. 200 series Bandit crankbaits, Norman Little N plugs, Rat’l Traps, Shaky Head rigs, and pig’n jigs. Some have hit soft jerk baits near brush in the coves. Surface to 5-feet in the morning; 10 to 15-feet at mid-day.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Moderate.

On the broken rock, moderately sloped banks in the mornings, moving to more gently sloped points by midday, but still on chunk rock and near gravel. Transition zones from boulders to white gravel points, as well as shelves on clay/gravel banks have been good. Transition zones on points have been the best if not far from spawning areas on points.

     *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches.  This regulation remains in effect until June 1st.  

 

SPOTTED BASS: Moderate on Powell, Fair on Clinch. On rocky shorelines in the larger creek hollows. Small, crawfish pattern crankbaits and pig’n jigs along the shorelines where there are big boulders and plenty of gravel to boulder transition zones.

 

STRIPED BASS: Good.  (*See regulation change, below, effective Nov. 1st.)   Surface to 20-feet deep in the channels. These fish are moving upstream in their seasonal pattern, and are in the headwaters of the river arms and in the head of the larger creeks. Where there are baitfish in the creeks, striped bass have been caught from the surface to less than 10-feet deep, on drifted shiners or small shad and alewife.  

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: April 1 – October 31, 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE  Slow. The river run walleye have already spawned and are moving toward the main body of the reservoir. Lower end walleye are on the broken rock banks at less than 15-feet deep, near big, old timber, and on red clay/gravel shorelines.

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SPECIES DETAILS

 

BLUEGILL/REDEAR

Bluegill: Good. Shellcracker: slow.

25 to 35-feet deep for bluegill, on the bottom, in coves and along broken rock, steep banks. Crickets or mealworms have been best for bluegill.  

For bluegill and shellcracker, use redworms, meal worms, crickets, or small minnows fished with no float, but tightlined or cast to shady, rocky banks and dragged slowly across the bottom. Crickets are the best bait.

 

CRAPPIE

Moderate on the lower end; better above Point 17 on the Powell and above Point 30 on the Clinch.

3 to 20-feet, tight to brush and wood structure. Target stained sections of the main channels and creeks, tight to brush. Crappie are moving into the brushy areas in the larger creek hollows and are shallow where the water is stained. The rapid rise in the water level will have these fish deeper than before, but coming into the shallower water as they become accustomed to the higher lake elevation.

Good lures: Tuffy minnows, small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows, Trout Magnets, or Slider grubs in a variety of colors. If enough rain falls tomorrow, stained water in the upper rivers and creek hollows will help.

 

LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS

Moderate, improving. Spotted bass catches are better on the Powell side than on the Clinch.

Close to the shoreline in large coves, and along broken rock shorelines near wood structure, from the surface to 20-feet. Shallower water in the coves, warmed by the afternoon sun, has attracted many largemouth and baitfish. Spinners, soft jerk baits, buzz baits, and shallow running plugs have caught fish in these areas.

200 and 300 series Bandit crankbaits and Norman Little N crankbaits fished parallel to the rocks in stained sections, and soft jerk baits are catching the most, close to the shoreline wood structure. Spinner bait catches (chrome, willow leaf or Indiana blades) are starting to pick up some nice largemouth. Shaky Head jigs rigged with the smaller plastic worms or grubs are doing well at less than 10-feet on main channel banks. Shaky Heads rigged “whacky style” have taken some largemouth and smallmouth. Cove Creek and Davis Creek have had good spotted bass catches.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Good. Best on the days with the worst weather.

They’re scattered in depth, from the shallows in flooded brush to points at 25-feet.

The smallmouth spawn is partially underway. Some post-spawn fish have been taken, but many more pre-spawn smallmouth have been caught as deep as 15 to 20-feet. Pre-spawn fish are moving to the white gravel points and secondary points, with some still on main channel, broken rock banks, but not far from spawning areas. Smaller, male smallmouth are moving to  gravel points, as shallow as 3 to 10-feet on many days. Some larger smallmouth are suspending on sunny days, holding at about 10-feet deep over much deeper water, but over the gravel/rock points where they will spawn.

Soft jerk baits and small plastic lures (Gitzits, Centipedes, Slider worms, etc.) have taken some tight to the banks in the flooded brush and floating wood. Those fish have not been in the rear of the coves, but closer to the mouths of coves and in the pockets off the main channels.

Every so often, a large smallmouth will be caught as deep as 25 to 30-feet, indicating the stage of the spawn is still oncoming for some.

Medium running crankbaits (Bandits, Normans), soft jerk baits, and the smaller shaky head (3/32 oz) jigs rigged with the smaller worms, some “whacky style,” have worked well. Slower presentations are working in the colder water at greater depths. 200 series Bandits in the red crawfish pattern have caught smallmouth on the main channels as well as in the creeks where there was stained water. Leadhead jigs tipped with 3 or 4-inch smoke grubs fished with a steady, slow retrieve, just off the bottom on clay/gravel shorelines, always works well at this time of year.

Other lures which have produced: crawfish imitation colors, 3/8 oz hair jig with trailer; or popeye jigs (1/16th to 1/8th oz), tipped with a tuffy minnow. Dark green (cedar tree green) or gray colors have worked well for the small hair jigs tipped with minnows.

          *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches. This regulation remains in effect until June 1st.

 

STRIPED BASS

Good.

These fish are in the middle of their spring movement upstream. Look for them in the upper end of the larger creek embayments  and upriver on both the Powell and Clinch.

Depth: In the creek hollows and headwaters where there are many baitfish, striped bass have taken shiners or alewife or gizzard shad drifted far behind the boat at a shallow depth. Those using 3-inch, soft jerk baits have caught striped bass in the same areas.

Surface to 10-feet in the creeks where baitfish are present, but to 20-feet in the channels and across long points and over deep humps in the main channels of the river arms or large creek embayments. Look for feeding gulls which indicate the location of baitfish schools and troll or tightline alewife or shad in those locations.

Troll ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, umbrella rigs with trailers in pearl or chartreuse, or  live bait (gizzard shad, shiners, or alewife) tightlined to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel especially across the points and humps.

On the lower half of the reservoir, try Lost Creek, above its junction with Whites Creek, and Crooked Creek (behind Island F). The islands near Hickory Star have produced some catches.

The lower Powell River embayment has been slow, with scattered catches from Point 9 to Point 11. Point 11 to Point 12 catches have been fair, at best, but better than farther downstream. Davis Creek saw some striped bass caught.

Before using umbrella rigs, read the Fishing Regulations and the hook size/number restrictions which are in effect.

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: April 1 – October 31, 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE

Slow.

10 to 15-feet (bottom depth)

Lower end walleye are holding close to broken rock shorelines of moderate slope, near old timber, less than 15 feet deep in the hours before noon.

Some isolated catches are occurring on the lower half of the reservoir, hitting plugs at dusk and just after dark where baitfish have moved into the shallows. That action is hit’n miss, at best.

Most of the lake-spawn walleye have already spawned and are starting to roam the recently flooded shoreline vegetation. Alewife activity along the shorelines has been limited, but some are being heard popping the surface after dark, and some anglers report catching some walleye along the shoreline at night, on Thundersticks, Long Bill Rebels, and Spooks.

phs

 

 

Tellico Lake Fishing Report

April 25, 2013

WATER CONDITIONS

The predicted water level is approximately 813.1 feet above sea level,

The average surface temperature is in the mid 60’s and rising.

The water is mostly clear, but still a little stained in some places.

 

SUMMARY

The biggest news this week is still the bass. Bass are showing up in huge numbers over the entire reservoir. The warmer water temperatures are causing bass to move back to shallower water for spring spawning. A few more degrees in water temperature should make a big difference in all types of fish activity. The increasing water temperatures along with the rains we’ve had recently seem to have stirred up the baitfish which also causes the bass and other predator fish to become more active. Minnow imitating crankbaits are catching some very nice bass in just about every creek on the lake. The other big news is the crappie. More and more crappie are congregating around submerged structure in just about every corner of the reservoir. Some very nice crappie are being caught trolling with flies and grubs. But, the biggest crappie are being caught in the submerged timber on minnows at about 15ft. Walleye are still biting around the Chota area off Hwy.129, below the old bridge trestles.

 

Crappie

6-30 Feet

Improving

Crappie are still biting and the numbers are increasing. The catch to keeper ratio seems to average; about 4 to 1, which means about 1 keeper to every 4 crappie caught. But, size should improve as the water warms a little more and triggers spawning. Submerged structure such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now. You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappie, but most are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8ounce lead heads tipped with a minnow is catching some of the bigger crappie also. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be the best method for catching the congregated crappies in the brushpiles.

 

Walleye

9-23 Feet

Fair

There are some walleye being caught just below the old bridge trestles off of Hwy 129. About a mile below Chilhowee Dam, you can see the old bridge trestles, and the boat ramp is just before you get there. The walleye are being caught just downstream from the ramp. Big white bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow are catching some nice sized walleye.  Chartreuse is also a good color choice. Bounce the jigs on the edges of the river channel and work them in the same direction as the current for best results. Sometimes you can find them in the flats area adjacent to the river channel. Pitch the jig up on the flats and work them back toward the channel.

 

Bass

2-12 Feet

Improving

Bass are moving back to shallower water and the shaky head worm and shaky head lizard are the top lure producers right now. Green pumpkin is the top color choice. Minnow imitating crankbaits, such as Shad Raps and Rattle Traps are really hot right now also. Sproe crankbaits are also good and seem to have a little different action than some other crankbaits, and bass do like to see a little something different sometimes. Creeks, branches, and small streams seem to be holding the majority of the bigger bass right now, especially if there are some downed trees or other submerged structure. Rocky points are another good place to look for bass. As the water temperature increases, so should the number of bass preparing for spring spawning.

 

 

 

Tellico River Fishing Report

April 25, 2013

 

Water Conditions

The river is mostly clear.

The water temperature is in the 50’s.

Water flow is a little swift.

 

Rainbow Trout

Improving

Trout fishing on the Tellico River seems to be improving daily. The quantity and quality of the fish is also improving with every regular stocking. The number of limits caught should continue to improve with each stocking of the river. Rooster Tails and Panther Martin in-line spinners seem to be the best lure choice, while nightcrawlers and corn were the best bait choices. Powerbait and Powerbait Balls in chartreuse color and garlic flavor are top producers. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait choice. Using a #3 hook, pinch off about a third of a piece of nightcrawler, add 2 or three small split shot sinkers, and let the current carry that piece of nightcrawler through some rapids and hang on to your fishing pole. And please remember to carry out any trash you create while fishing. We have a beautiful stocked trout stream here that millions of people would love to have in their state. There is no size limit for rainbow trout but there is a creel limit of 7.

 

 

 

Wilbur Tailwater

April 25, 2013

Water Temperature: 47

Water Clarity: clear

Brown Trout:
Action: good
Lures: jerkbaits, corn
Presentations: jerk/pause, still
Depth: 0 to 4-ft
Time: anytime
Habitat: moving water
Where: Siam Bridge/Blevins Access

Rainbow Trout:
Action: good
Lures: worms, salmon eggs, splitback nymph
Presentations: casting, still
Depth:0 to 4-ft
Time: anytime
Habitat: moving water
Where: Blevins Access Area, Hunter Bridge

TWRA Region 4 Fishing Reports

 

NORRIS FISHING REPORT

                                              

3 April 2013

 

WATER CONDITIONS

The water elevation on 3 April was 1011.6-feet, which is 2-feet higher than it was last Wednesday. The water level is predicted to rise 9.6-inches by midnight, Friday, 5 April. The inflow is 5,880 cfs, but considerable rain is predicted for tomorrow evening. Surface temperatures have ranged from 45 degrees in the mornings to 51 degrees for a few hours in the afternoons. By dusk, most areas have cooled back down to 49 degrees. Rain and weekend weather predicted to be sunny and in the 70’s should bring warmer water.

On this date, last year, the surface temperatures taken in the early morning were averaging 62 degrees, with afternoon readings up to 70 degrees in some locations.

 

To view photos and Google maps of all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htmor http://tinyurl.com/chm2ts9.

For the Norris lake elevation, inflow rates, and generation times, go to http://www.tva.gov/lakes/noh_r.htm.

 

SUMMARY

Catches have come slowly for most species and on most days. Some days have seen decent catches. The most action has been on striped bass in the head of the larger creeks, followed by catches of smallmouth which are suspended with the striped bass, all feeding on schools of small baitfish.

New fishing regulations came into effect on 1 March. Annual licenses need to be renewed. There are regulation changes since last year. Go to www.tnwildlife.org or www.tn.gov/twra to access an online Fishing Guide or look in the paper copy of the 2013-2014 Fishing Guide for details.

 

BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Bluegill slow. Shellcracker are slow. Bluegill are hitting crickets and mealworms at 15 to 20 feet, whether suspended or close to the bottom.

 

CRAPPIE: Moderate in lower end creek hollows, good far upstream in the river headwaters. 3 to 20-feet. The best action has been in the Powell above Point 17 and on the Clinch arm above Point 30. The head of Davis and Doaks creeks are producing some crappie on the right days. Lost Creek catches slowed considerably.

 

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Slow.  Shallow and close to the shore, especially in stained sections. 200 series Bandit crankbaits, Rat’l Traps, Shaky Head rigs, Silver Buddy’s, and pig’n jigs in stained and muddy water. Surface to 5-feet in the morning; 15 to 20-feet at mid-day. Stained water areas will have largemouth very close to the shoreline, and very shallow.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Fair.

On the broken rock, moderately sloped banks in the mornings, moving to more gently sloped points by midday, but still on chunk rock and near gravel. Small hair or feather jigs, Shaky Head rigs, Silver Buddy’s, and flukes close to rocky shorelines in stained sections, and as deep as 25-feet in clearer water. Float-and-fly rig action was slow. Transition zones from boulders to gravel, as well as shelves on clay/gravel banks have been good. Transition zones on points have been the best. Medium running crankbaits took a few in stained areas.

               

          *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches.  This regulation remains in     effect until June 1st.       

 

SPOTTED BASS: Fair. On large rock shorelines and into the larger creek hollows. Small, crawfish pattern crankbaits and pig’n jigs along the shorelines where there are big boulders and plenty of gravel to boulder transition zones.

 

STRIPED BASS: Good.  (*See regulation change, below, effective Nov. 1st.)   20 to 30-feet deep, suspended, in the channels. These fish are moving upstream in their seasonal pattern, and are in the headwaters of the river arms and in the head of the larger creeks. Where there are baitfish in the creeks, striped bass have been caught from the surface to less than 10-feet deep, on drifted shiners or small shad and alewife.      

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: April 1 – October 31, 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE  Fair. The catch on the Clinch and Powell headwaters slowed considerably with colder water inflow than last week. Some of the river run walleye have already spawned. The upper rivers may experience a high flow rate if predictions of tomorrow’s rainfall are accurate. Lower end walleye are on the broken rock banks at less than 15-feet deep.

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SPECIES DETAILS

 

BLUEGILL/REDEAR

Bluegill slow. Shellcracker catches are very slow.

15 to 20-feet deep for bluegill whether suspended in cover or on the bottom. Look for larger bluegills deep on steeper, rocky, shady banks. Crickets or mealworms have been best for bluegill, regardless of depth.  

For bluegill and shellcracker, use redworms, meal worms, crickets, or small minnows fished with no float, but tightlined or cast to shady, rocky banks and dragged slowly across the bottom.

 

CRAPPIE

Moderate on the lower end; good above Point 17 on the Powell and above Point 30 on the Clinch.

3 to 20-feet, tight to brush and wood structure where the water’s stained or muddy. Target stained sections of the main channels and creeks, tight to brush. Crappie are moving into the brushy areas in the larger creek hollows and are shallow where the water is stained.

Good lures: Tuffy minnows, small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows, Trout Magnets, or Slider grubs in a variety of colors. Catches were good above Point 17 (Powell side) and above Point 30 (Clinch side) on main channel brush.  Heavy rain may put a high current through those upper end areas by the weekend.

 

LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS

Moderate.

The most numerous catches have come from fishermen drifting small shiners just under the surface in the hunt for striped bass in the middle of the creek channels where there are baitfish present.

Otherwise close to the shoreline from the surface to 20-feet. Mornings have seen smallmouth holding on larger chunk rock on moderately sloped banks, but moving shallower and on the points by noon, but earlier if it’s on a sunny day.

200 and 300 series Bandit crankbaits and Norman crankbaits fished parallel to the rocks in stained sections, Silver Buddy’s, and small pig’n jigs are catching the most, close to the shorelines. In stained sections, they have been very close to rocky shorelines with timber. Crankbaits with a rapid action and/or rattle have done well in muddy or stained water when fished parallel to the shoreline rocks at less than 10-feet. Shaky Head jigs rigged with the smaller plastic worms or grubs are doing well at less than 10-feet on main channel banks. Shaky Heads rigged “whacky style” have taken some largemouth and smallmouth. Fish these very slowly in the cold water.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS                                                                                                               

Fair. Best on the days with the worst weather.

10 to 15-feet on rocky banks.

Water temperatures 15 to 20 degrees colder than usual for this time of year, may be delaying the staging pattern.

On moderately sloped, rocky banks in the mornings, moving to more gently sloped points by midday, but still on chunk rock and near gravel.

Ledges at about 15 to 20-feet which are close to transition zones of gravel to boulder, and near points. Look for early staging smallmouth on deep dropoffs which are not far from white pea gravel points.

The smaller shaky head (3/32 oz) jigs rigged with the smaller worms, some “whacky style,” have worked well. Slower presentations are working in the colder water. 200 series Bandits in the red crawfish pattern have caught smallmouth on the main channels as well as in the creeks where there was stained water. Leadhead jigs tipped with 3 or 4-inch smoke grubs fished with a steady, slow retrieve, just off the bottom.

Other lures which have produced: crawfish imitation colors, 3/8 oz hair jig with trailer; or popeye jigs (1/16th to 1/8th oz), tipped with a tuffy minnow. Dark green (cedar tree green) or gray colors have worked well for the small hair jigs tipped with minnows.

 

 

          *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches. This regulation remains         in effect until June 1st.

 

 

STRIPED BASS

Good.

These fish are in the middle of their spring movement upstream. Look for them in the upper end of the larger creek embayments (Cove Cr., Big Cr., Lost Cr., Crooked Cr.) and upriver on both the Powell and Clinch.

Depth: Surface to 10-feet in the creeks where baitfish are present, but to 20-feet in the channels and across long points and over deep humps in the main channels of the river arms or large creek embayments. Look for feeding gulls which indicate the location of baitfish schools and troll or tightline alewife or shad in those locations.

Troll ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, umbrella rigs with trailers in pearl or chartreuse, or  live bait (gizzard shad or alewife) tightlined to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel especially across the points and humps. Striped bass are moving into the headwaters of the river arms and into the heads of the larger creeks, and are feeding on the many schools of baitfish found in these areas. Lost Creek, above its junction with Whites Creek, saw excellent action over the past few days, as did Crooked Creek (behind Island F). The islands near Hickory Star have produced some catches.

In the creek hollows and headwaters where there are many baitfish, striped bass have taken shiners or small alewife or shad drifted far behind the boat at a shallow depth. Those using 3-inch soft jerk baits have caught striped bass in the same areas.

Before using umbrella rigs, read the Fishing Regulations and the hook size/number restrictions which are in effect.

 

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: April 1 – October 31, 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE

Fair.

10 to 15-feet (bottom depth)

Water color and flow are good in the headwaters of both river arms, but the temperature is still in the high 40’s. Tomorrow’s rainfall will change these conditions.

Lower end walleye are holding close to broken rock shorelines of moderate slope, less than 15 feet deep in the hours before noon.

Powell walleye have been caught from above Point 17 and to Earl’s Hollow, with reports of fish at Town Creek. The Powell headwaters are muddy. Clinch headwaters fish are in the shoals above Point 34. Some of the walleye which have been caught are already spawned out, but some are still far upstream in the shoals. Mostly male walleye are being caught. Upper end walleye fishing has been very slow.

 

 

CHEROKEE LAKE FISHING REPORT

03 April 2013

 

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water elevation is 1053.64 feet as of  8:00 PM, April 3, 2013.  This measurement reflects a 2.45 foot increase in water level from last week’s report.  An average surface temperature on the reservoir for this reporting period was 48.7 degrees with 47.9 degrees on the river sections.  The water is currently stained on creek channels as well as across the reservoir’s bay areas.  

 

SUMMARY:   

Large, spotted, and smallmouth bass fishing has improved over the past week.  Crappie and bluegill fishing has been good.  Striper fishing has received only slight angler pressure.   Walleye fishing on the upper river has seen much angler activity.  The lake has recovered from a harsh winter and is fishing well.

 

 

SMALLMOUTH, LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS:  Good

Smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass have been biting well.

 

Deep diving crank baits and spinner baits in shades of green, chartreuse, and shad colors were the most prevalent baits used on the lake this report period.  Umbrella rigs have become predominant bait on the lake for bass species.

 

Fish have distributed themselves to all points on the lake and creek systems.

 

Fish creek mouths and deep creek channels for the best fish.  Poor Valley has been fishing good this past week.

 

STRIPED BASS:  Good

Striped bass have received lighter angler pressure than usual.

 

Areas near points 16 and 17 are still seeing striped bass being caught.    German Creek is still fishing well as far back as Rays Creek.  Try the bay area just off Grainger County Park and surrounding islands. 

 

Striped bass are still very active at creek mouths and they are still concentrated in great numbers in the island throughways to bay areas.  Fish around the bottom of huge humps and don’t forget to hit water off rock points, especially if it drops deep to forty or more feet rapidly. 

 

The information in this paragraph is relatively constant. Umbrella baits with green swim baits have been used this season more than any other season.  Trolling these big baits seems to be the accepted method of fishing on the main bay as well as deep creek mouths.  Live shad tight lined is a popular method for stripers.  Large jigs in green color and green swim baits are preferred bait and are effective.  Live shad seems to be the most selected bait on the lake.  Use green swim baits for deep fishing either singular or on an umbrella rig.  Remember that three hooks per rod is the new regulation.  A treble hook is considered one hook.

 

 

 

 

CRAPPIE & BLUEGILL:

Crappie:  Good

Bluegill:   Fair

 

Crappie and bluegill fishing has improved drastically.  Fish are being caught at all shorelines in ten to 25 feet of water.   Bluegill are starting to show up in creels although for the most part, anglers are releasing them.

 

Small, weighted crappie spinners fished deep to twenty feet have worked well.  The preferred color is green.  Many colors have been seen.  Crappie jigs in green fished to thirty feet have probably caught the most fish and definitely the largest fish over this past week.  Creeks have fished well producing primarily smaller, legal fish.  The larger fish were caught against the rocks along the main bay and island areas in deeper water to thirty feet.  Small flies didn’t seem to be as affective over this past week, probably due to difficult water conditions.  Bobbers with minnows as well as hair jigs are affective, especially along creek banks that contain rock and plenty of wood. 

 

Fish all shorelines containing any kind of cover.  Focus on creek mouths with depths to twenty or thirty feet.  Fish crappie spinners along boulders and any wood. 

Concentrated floating logs and other debris at the back of creek channels will hold crappies and bluegills. 

 

Caney Creek and Poor Valley Creeks remain stained but the fishing has improved a lot since the last report.  Poor Valley Creek is the winner for best spot of the week.

 

WALLEYE:  Good

Walleye are still doing well on the upper river system of the lake but, have shown a decline in catch success.   

 

A popular bait is the pheasant tail jig in green color to tumble along in the river channel.  For shoreline fishing – try a light jig (1/8th or 1/16th ounce) in red, chartreuse or red.  A small to medium Husky Jerk is super for deeper water.  Jigs tipped with a minnow is productive.

 

Fish the upper river system and creek mouths bordering bay areas.  Walleye are hitting well as this is written at the overflow of the John Sevier Reservoir.  The river system at Joe B. Brown and Malinda Bridges has been supplying great fishing.

 

 

JOHN SEVIER RESERVOIR FISHING REPORT

4 April 2013

 

WATER CONDITIONS:       

 

Water temperatures averaged 47.9 degrees with clear water conditions on the river to include Beech Creek.  Flow on the river has slowed to normal.  The river is in excellent condition for fishing.

 

SUMMARY:

Fishing pressure on the river is normal.  Anglers are having success fishing for bass, crappie and readear sunfish. 

 

LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS:  Good

Largemouth and smallmouth activity has been good.

 

There seems to be no particular spot that is preferable to focus attention on.  The best advice is to fish all the water.  Some really heavy largemouths have been taken this past week.

 

Fish crank baits and spinner baits with a slow, even retrieve.  A night crawler fished just off the bottom along shorelines, suspended from a bobber is deadly.  Shad colored Rattle Traps are starting to be seen in use.   Lizards are fished very slowly on the bottom and seem to be effective against bridge piers and rocky shorelines.

 

REDEAR SUNFISH & CRAPPIE:  Good

Redear and Crappie action has been brisk.

 

Fish the shorelines both sides of the river with greater attention paid to the waters near the John Sevier impoundment.

 

Use crappie spinners for both species.  Minnows and a bobber are really the trick for crappie.  Crappie spinners and grubs proved irresistible to redear.

 

CATFISH:  Good

Catfish data is still limited for this report period.  History indicates that the entire river system should be fished on both sides.  Nice fish have been caught just above the John Sevier dam, left side of the river facing downstream.  Try the shoreline just upstream from the entrance to Big Creek on the same side.

 

Fish with cut bait (gizzard shad), bluegill, minnows, and night crawlers.

 

Concentrate on rock cliffs that continue sub surface.  Don’t forget the grassy shorelines that have good water depth. 

 Trolling these big baits seems to be the accepted method of fishing on the main bay as well as deep creek mouths.  Live shad tight lined is a popular method for stripers.  Large jigs in green color and green swim baits are preferred bait and are effective.  Live shad seems to be the most selected bait on the lake.  Use green swim baits for deep fishing either singular or on an umbrella rig.  Remember that three hooks per rod is the new regulation.  A treble hook is considered one hook.

 

 

 

 

 

CRAPPIE & BLUEGILL:

Crappie:  Good

Bluegill:   Fair

 

Crappie and bluegill fishing has improved drastically.  Fish are being caught at all shorelines in ten to 25 feet of water.   Bluegill are starting to show up in creels although for the most part, anglers are releasing them.

 

Small, weighted crappie spinners fished deep to twenty feet have worked well.  The preferred color is green.  Many colors have been seen.  Crappie jigs in green fished to thirty feet have probably caught the most fish and definitely the largest fish over this past week.  Creeks have fished well producing primarily smaller, legal fish.  The larger fish were caught against the rocks along the main bay and island areas in deeper water to thirty feet.  Small flies didn’t seem to be as affective over this past week, probably due to difficult water conditions.  Bobbers with minnows as well as hair jigs are affective, especially along creek banks that contain rock and plenty of wood. 

 

Fish all shorelines containing any kind of cover.  Focus on creek mouths with depths to twenty or thirty feet.  Fish crappie spinners along boulders and any wood. 

Concentrated floating logs and other debris at the back of creek channels will hold crappies and bluegills. 

 

Caney Creek and Poor Valley Creeks remain stained but the fishing has improved a lot since the last report.  Poor Valley Creek is the winner for best spot of the week.

 

WALLEYE:  Good

Walleye are still doing well on the upper river system of the lake but, have shown a decline in catch success.   

 

A popular bait is the pheasant tail jig in green color to tumble along in the river channel.  For shoreline fishing – try a light jig (1/8th or 1/16th ounce) in red, chartreuse or red.  A small to medium Husky Jerk is super for deeper water.  Jigs tipped with a minnow is productive.

 

Fish the upper river system and creek mouths bordering bay areas.  Walleye are hitting well as this is written at the overflow of the John Sevier Reservoir.  The river system at Joe B. Brown and Malinda Bridges has been supplying great fishing.

 

 

Tellico Lake Fishing Report

April 4, 2013

 

WATER CONDITIONS

The predicted water level is approximately 810.6 feet above sea level.

The average surface temperature is in the mid 50’s.

The water is mostly clear, but still a little stained in some places.

 

SUMMARY

Everything is still about the same this week. A few more degrees in water temperature should make a big difference in fish activity. Bass are starting to show up in the mouths of the creeks and other branches and tributaries that feed the reservoir. The increasing water temperatures along with the rains we’ve had recently seem to have stirred up the baitfish which also causes the bass and other predator fish to become more active. Minnow imitating crankbaits are catching some very nice keeper bass in just about every creek on the lake. There are a few crappie anglers out and the crappie fishing seems to be picking up somewhat in the Ballplay area while a few crappie are also being caught around the Bat Creek area. Walleye are still biting around the Chota area off Hwy.129, below the old bridge trestles.                                                                                                                                   

 

Crappie

6-30 Feet

Improving

The crappies are still biting and the numbers are increasing. The catch to keeper ratio seems to average about 4to1, which means about 1 keeper to every 4 crappie caught. But, size should improve as the water warms a little more and triggers spawning. Submerged structure such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now. You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappies, but some are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8ounce lead heads tipped with a minnow is catching some of the bigger crappies. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be the best method for catching congregated crappie in brushpiles.

 

Walleye

 9-23 Feet

Fair

There are some walleyes being caught just below the old bridge trestles off Hwy 129. About a mile below Chilhowee Dam, you can see the old bridge trestles and the boat ramp is just before you get there. Walleye are being caught just downstream from the ramp. Big white bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow are catching some nice sized walleyes. Chartreuse is also a good color choice. Bounce the jigs on the edges of the river channel and work them in the same direction as the current for best results. Sometimes you can find them in the flats area adjacent to the river channel. Pitch the jig up on the flats and work them back toward the channel.

Bass

2-12 Feet

Improving

Finally, we’re beginning to see some bass being caught. Minnow imitating crankbaits are really hot right now. Shad Raps and Rattle Traps are two very good bait choices. Sproe crankbaits seem to have a little different action than some other crankbaits, and bass do like to see a little something different sometimes. Creeks, branches, and small streams seem to be holding the majority of the bigger bass right now, especially if there are some lay down trees or other partially submerged structure. Rocky points are another good place to look for bass. As the water temperatures increase, so should the numbers of bass preparing for spring spawning. 

 

 

FT. PATRICK HENRY RESERVOIR

April 4, 2013

Surface Temperature: 49-52

Elevation: 1259.37

Change in Elevation: 0.2-ft.

Water Clarity: clear

 

Largemouth Bass:

Action: good
Lures: crankbaits/Alabama rig
Presentations: casting
Depth: 5 to 10-ft
Time: morning and evening
Habitat: rock banks
Where: mid-lower end

Smallmouth Bass:

No Report

Rainbow Trout:

Action: fair
Lures: powerbait, corn, small jerkbaits, swimbaits
Presentations: still, slow retrieve
Depth: 6 to 10-ft, 2 to 4-ft for swimbaits
Time: morning/evening
Habitat: rocky bottom
Where: lower end, upper end near Hwy 75 bridge

 

 

Tellico River Fishing Report

April 4, 2013

 

Water Conditions

The river is mostly clear.

The water temperature is in the high 40’s.

Water flow is a little faster now because of the recent rain.

 

Rainbow Trout

Improving

The first regular stocking of trout have gone into the river and there were a fair number of limits caught over the weekend. The number of limits caught should continue to improve after a few more weeks of stocking. Rooster Tails seemed to be the best lure choice, while nightcrawlers and corn were the best bait choices.  Powerbait and Powerbait Balls in sunrise color are two top producers also. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait choice. There is no size limit for rainbow trout but there is a creel limit of 7. Do not forget to get your new license and your trout license for the 2013-14 fishing season. A few more stockings should help to improve the number of fish in the regulated area.

 

 

Wilbur Tailwater

April 4, 2013

Water Temperature: 45

Water Clarity: Stained

Brown Trout:
Action: good
Lures: jerkbaits, corn
Presentations: jerk/pause, still
Depth: 0 to 4-ft
Time: anytime
Habitat: moving water
Where: Siam Bridge/Blevins Access

Rainbow Trout:
Action: good
Lures: worms, salmon eggs, splitback nymph
Presentations: casting, still
Depth:0 to 4-ft
Time: anytime
Habitat: moving water
Where: Blevins Access Area, Hunter Bridge

 

Region 4 Fishing Reports 3-21-2013

CHEROKEE LAKE FISHING REPORT

20 March 2013

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water elevation is 1048.60 feet as of 8:00 PM, April 20, 2013.  This measurement reflects a 1.94 foot increase in water level from last week’s report.  An average surface temperature on the reservoir for this reporting period was 47.5 degrees.  The water is currently stained on creek channels as well as across the reservoir’s bay areas.  

 

SUMMARY:   

Large, spotted, and smallmouth bass fishing success has been good.  Crappie anglers have enjoyed good fishing in select areas as well.  Striper activity was very good in the early part of the report period but declined after Monday, probably due to foul weather and low angler participation.  Sauger and Walleye fishing has been good.  High wind and white caps plagued the lake over the past three days, keeping angler pressure low.

 

SMALLMOUTH, LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS:  Good

Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass successes have been good over most of the report period.

The umbrella rig set up with swim baits has been working.  Deep diving crankbaits and spinner baits in shades of green or chartreuse produced nice catches also.

Fish have been distributed deep as well as on the banks.  Creeks have been particularly productive.  Green swim baits with umbrella rigs have been effective.  Green and red crank baits have been good producers as well as chartreuse deep diving crank baits.

Fish creek mouths and deep creek channels.  As in last report, the best bass are deep while smaller fish are near the shoreline.

 

STRIPED BASS:  Good

Anglers have had good success with striped bass over this week

Areas near points 16, 17, 18 have been productive.  German Creek has given up some nice fish all the way back in the channel to Ray’s Creek.  

Striped bass are still very active at creek mouths and they are still concentrated in great numbers in the island throughways to bay areas.  Fish around the bottom of huge humps and don’t forget to hit water off rocky points, especially if it drops rapidly to forty or more feet.  Fish deep to 50 feet in the large bay areas across the lake.

The information in this paragraph is relatively constant. Umbrella baits with green swim baits have been used this season more than any other season.  Trolling these big baits seems to be the accepted method of fishing on the main bay as well as deep, creek mouths.  Live shad tight lined is a popular method for stripers also.  Large jigs in green color and green swim baits are preferred bait and are effective.  Live shad seems to be the most selected bait on the lake over the report period.  Use green swim baits for deep fishing, either singular or on an umbrella rig.

The best striped bass have been caught deep for some reason, but they seem to not remain fixed in one particular area on a day to day.  Watch the shad and the gulls for good shallow to surface action.

 

CRAPPIE & BLUEGILL:

Crappie:  Good

Bluegill:   Fair

Crappie and bluegill fishing has improved.  The good fish are holding deeper than normal but the distribution of fish in general is across the entire lake.

Small, weighted crappie spinners fished deep to twenty feet have worked well.  The preferred color is green, although all shades have been seen.  Crappie jigs in green fished to thirty feet have probably caught the most fish and definitely the largest fish over this past week.  Creeks have fished well, producing primarily smaller, legal fish.  The larger fish were caught against the rocks along the main bay and island areas in deeper water to thirty feet.  Small flies didn’t seem to be as affective over this past week, probably due to difficult water conditions.  Bobbers with minnows as well as hair jigs are affective, especially along creek banks that contain rock and plenty of wood. 

Fish all shorelines containing boulders to include creeks.  Focus on creek mouths with depths to twenty or thirty feet.  Fish crappie spinners along these boulders. 

Concentrated floating logs and other debris at the back of creek channels will also hold crappie. 

Caney Creek and Poor Valley Creeks are heavily stained and the fishing is less than desirable at the present time.  The area around Kidwell Boat ramp is a good spot to try your luck.

 

WALLEYE & SAUGER:  Good

These fish are now being caught in good numbers in the headwaters and many walleye are showing up in creels of lower lake anglers.

A popular bait is the pheasant tail jig in green color to tumble along in the river channel.  For shoreline fishing – try a light jig (1/8th or 1/16th ounce) in red, chartreuse or red.  A small to medium Husky Jerk is super for deeper water.  Jigs tipped with a minnow are productive as well.

Fish the upper river system and creek mouths bordering bay areas.  Sauger and walleye are hitting well as this is written at the overflow of the John Sevier Reservoir.  The river system at Joe B. Brown and Malinda Bridges has also been supplying great fishing.

 

 

JOHN SEVIER RESERVOIR FISHING REPORT

20 March 2013

WATER CONDITIONS:       

Water temperatures averaged 47.65 degrees with stained water conditions over the past reporting period (one week).  Current flow on the river remains fast.  The high flood waters continue to slowly recede.  The river is stained to include Beech and Big Creeks.  Boat ramps are in excellent condition. 

 

SUMMARY:

Fishing pressure on the river has been low due to inclement weather consisting of heavy rain, high wind, cold temperatures and very rough water. 

 

LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS:  Good

Largemouth and smallmouth activity has been good, especially from the confluence of Beech Creek downstream to the John Sevier Plant.

Anglers seem to use every conceivable bass lure on this water for some reason.  Everyone has their favorite.  Crank baits and spinner baits in smaller sizes have been popular this week.  Shad and chartreuse colors were the most prevalent colors used.  Plastic worms took a back seat to lizards in shades of green.

Fish crank baits and spinner baits with a slow, even retrieve.  A night crawler fished just off the bottom along shorelines, suspended from a bobber is deadly.  Lizards are fished very slowly on the bottom and seem to be effective against bridge piers and rocky shorelines.

 

REDEAR SUNFISH & CRAPPIE:  Fair

As in the last report, crappie and redear are both active but anglers have not been routinely targeting those species over the past week.  Fishermen who do target them are catching nice fish.  Bass remains the most targeted species of fish for this week.

Use crappie spinners for both species.  Minnows and a bobber are really the trick for crappie.  Crappie spinners and grubs proved irresistible to redear.

 

CATFISH:  Good

Catfish data is still limited for this report period.  History indicates that the entire river system should be fished on both sides.  Nice fish have been caught just above the John Sevier dam, left side of the river facing downstream.  Try the shoreline just upstream from the entrance to Big Creek on the same side.

Fish with cut bait (gizzard shad), bluegill, and minnows.  Night crawlers are highly effective also.

Concentrate on rock cliffs that continue sub surface.  Don’t forget the grassy shorelines that have good water depth. 

 

 

 

NORRIS FISHING REPORT

20 March 2013

WATER CONDITIONS

The water elevation on 13 March was 1006.4-feet, which is 2-feet higher than it was last Wednesday. The water level is predicted to rise 9.6-inches by midnight, Friday, 22 March. The inflow is 10,470 cfs.

Afternoon water surface temperatures/colors are running about 3 to 5 degrees higher than those taken in the early mornings. Morning temperatures are from 45 to 47 degrees, rising to 49 degrees in mid-channel in most locations. The surface near Norris Dam, at Point 1, was 52 degrees, late Wednesday afternoon, after a sunny day. Temperatures in the hollows may be up to 53 degrees where the water is stained.

To view photos and Google maps of all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htm.

For the Norris lake elevation, inflow rates, and generation times, go to http://www.tva.gov/lakes/noh_r.htm.

 

SUMMARY

New fishing regulations came into effect on 1 March. Annual licenses need to be renewed. There are regulation changes since last year. Go to www.tnwildlife.orgor www.tn.gov/twrato access an online Fishing Guide or look in the paper copy of the 2013-2014 Fishing Guide for details.

 

BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Bluegill slow. Shellcracker are slow. Bluegill are hitting crickets and mealworms at 15 to 20 feet, whether suspended or close to the bottom.

 

CRAPPIE: Moderate in lower end creek hollows, good far upstream in the river headwaters. 3 to 20-feet. The best action has been in the Powell above Point 17 and on the Clinch arm above Point 30.

 

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Slow.  Shallow and close to the shore, especially in stained sections. 200 series Bandit crankbaits, Rat’l Traps, Shaky Head rigs, Silver Buddy’s, and pig’n jigs in stained and muddy water. Surface to 5-feet in the morning; 15 to 20-feet at mid-day. Stained water areas will have largemouth very close to the shoreline, and very shallow.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Slow. (*Note the regulation change which became effective Oct. 16th.)  Sunny skies put these fish deep.

Small hair or feather jigs, Shaky Head rigs, Silver Buddy’s, and flukes close to rocky shorelines in stained sections, and as deep as 25-feet in clearer water. Float-and-fly rig action was slow. Transition zones from boulders to gravel, as well as shelves on clay/gravel banks have been good. Transition zones on points have been the best. Medium running crankbaits took a few in stained areas.

            *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches.  This regulation remains in effect until June 1st.       

 

SPOTTED BASS: Fair. On large rock shorelines and into the larger creek hollows. Small, crawfish pattern crankbaits and pig’n jigs along the shorelines where there are big boulders and plenty of gravel to boulder transition zones.

 

STRIPED BASS: Slow.  (*See regulation change, below, effective Nov. 1st.)   30-feet deep, suspended, in the channels. These fish are moving upstream from previous locations. Bird activity is good on most of the reservoir. Fish where they’re feeding. Most of those caught were below the legal size limit. Striped bass are on the move; finding them is the hardest part.

              *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: November 1–March 31: 1 per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE  Fair. The catch on the Clinch and Powell headwaters improved with 50 degree water and less current than in previous weeks. This week’s rain increased the water flow, making fishing a bit more difficult, but some fish are still being caught. Some of the river run walleye have already spawned.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

SPECIES DETAILS

BLUEGILL/REDEAR

Bluegill slow. Shellcracker catches are very slow.

15 to 20-feet deep for bluegill whether suspended in cover or on the bottom. Look for larger bluegills deep on steeper, rocky, shady banks. Crickets or mealworms have been best for bluegill, regardless of depth.  

For bluegill and shellcracker, use redworms, meal worms, crickets, or small minnows fished with no float, but tightlined or cast to shady, rocky banks and dragged slowly across the bottom.

 

CRAPPIE

Moderate on the lower end; good above Point 17 on the Powell and above Point 30 on the Clinch.

3 to 20-feet, tight to brush and wood structure where the water’s stained or muddy. Target stained sections of the main channels and creeks, tight to brush. Crappie are moving into the brushy areas in the larger creek hollows and are shallow where the water is stained.

Good lures: Tuffy minnows, small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows, Trout Magnets, or Slider grubs in a variety of colors. Catches were good above Point 17 (Powell side) and above Point 30 (Clinch side) on main channel brush. 

 

LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS

Slow. Fluctuating, cold water slowed catches.

Close to the shoreline from the surface to 20-feet. 200 and 300 series Bandit crankbaits and Norman crankbaits fished parallel to the rocks in stained sections, Silver Buddy’s, and small pig’n jigs are catching the most, close to the shorelines. In stained sections, they have been very close to rocky shorelines with timber. Crankbaits with a rapid action and/or rattle have done well in muddy or stained water when fished parallel to the shoreline rocks at less than 10-feet. Shaky Head jigs rigged with the smaller plastic worms or grubs are doing well at less than 10-feet on main channel banks. Shaky Heads rigged “whacky style” have taken some largemouth and smallmouth. Fish these very slowly in the cold water.

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS

*(The regulation changed Oct. 16th. See the note, below.)

Slow. Best on the days with the worst weather.

Ledges at about 15 to 20-feet which are close to transition zones of gravel to boulder, and near points, are producing good smallmouth. Look for early staging smallmouth on deep dropoffs which are not far from white pea gravel points.

Cold, clear water has produced smallmouth on small (1/8th oz) hair, feather, or rubber jigs. The smaller shaky head (3/32 oz) jigs rigged with the smaller worms, some “whacky style,” have worked well. Slower presentations are working in the colder water. Small float’n fly rig catches improved at 10 to 15-feet deep. 200 series Bandits in the red crawfish pattern have caught smallmouth on the main channels as well as in the creeks where there was stained water.

Other lures which have produced: crawfish imitation colors, 3/8 oz hair jig with trailer; or popeye jigs (1/16th to 1/8th oz), tipped with a tuffy minnow. Dark green (cedar tree green) or gray colors have worked well for the small hair jigs tipped with minnows.

          *REGULATION  CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a minimum length limit of 18-inches. This regulation remains in     effect until June 1st.

 

STRIPED BASS

(The regulation changes Nov. 1st. See the note, below.)

Slow. These fish are starting their spring movement upstream. Finding them has been difficult.

Depth: 30-feet, in the channels and across long points and over deep humps in the main channels of the river arms or large creek embayments. Look for feeding gulls which indicate the location of baitfish schools and troll or tightline alewife or shad in those locations.

Troll ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, umbrella rigs with trailers in pearl or chartreuse, or  live bait (gizzard shad or alewife) tightlined to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel especially across the points and humps. Some have been caught by anglers casting large doll flies or plugs to the shoreline at dawn if baitfish are present. These fish are moving more than usual at this time of year, perhaps in response to extreme changes in the reservoir flow rates. On the Clinch side, Loyston Sea action was slow. The Powell side catches in the Lindymood Hollow  to Point 12 section were sporadic. A few were reported caught between Island F and Highway 33 bridge. The Loyston area has a tremendous flock of gulls which rafts at sunset in front of Big Ridge Hollow. Before using umbrella rigs, read the Fishing Regulations and the hook size/number restrictions which are in effect.

          *REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: November 1–March 31: 1 per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.

 

WALLEYE

Fair, improving on the Clinch and Powell headwaters.

10 to 15-feet (bottom depth)

Water conditions are good in the headwaters, with temperatures at 50 degrees, a reduced inflow, and good water color. Powell walleye have been caught from above Point 17 and to Earl’s Hollow, with reports of fish at Town Creek. Clinch headwaters fish are in the shoals above Point 34, but many are still moving up through the staging areas downstream. Some of the walleye which have been caught are already spawned out, but some are still far upstream in the shoals.

Staging areas for walleye: in the channel near Bridgeport Hollow, the bend below Point 32, the straight stretch of channel at Bunchtown Flats (3/4 mile above Point 32, the numerous small, deep shoals between Bunchtown Flats and Point 33, and the deep shoal a quarter mile below the Beech Grove ramp. The water temperature in this section is still a cold 45 degrees, and action is not up to par, yet.

phs

 

 

Tellico Lake Fishing Report

March 21, 2013

WATER CONDITIONS

The predicted water level is approximately 809.6 feet above sea level.

The average surface temperature is up into the low 50’s.

The water is mostly clear, but still a little stained in some places.

 

SUMMARY

Bass are starting to show up in the mouths of the creeks and other branches and tributaries that feed the reservoir. The increasing water temperatures along with the rains we’ve had recently seem to have stirred up the baitfish which also causes the bass and other predator fish to become more active. Minnow imitating crankbaits are catching some very nice keeper bass in just about every creek on the lake. There are a few crappie anglers out and the crappie fishing seems to be picking up somewhat in the Ballplay area while a few crappie are also being caught around the Bat Creek area.

 

Crappie

6-30 Feet

Improving

Submerged structure such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now. You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappies, but some are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8ounce lead heads tipped with a minnow is catching some of the bigger crappies. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be the best method for catching congregated crappie in brushpiles.

 

Walleye

 9-23 Feet         

There are some walleyes being caught just below the old bridge trestles off Hwy 129. About a mile below Chilhowee Dam, you can see the old bridge trestles and the boat ramp is just before you get there. Walleye are being caught just downstream from the ramp. Big white bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow are catching some nice sized walleyes. Chartreuse is also a good color choice. Bounce the jigs on the edges of the river channel and work them in the same direction as the current for best results. Sometimes you can find them in the flats area adjacent to the river channel. Pitch the jig up on the flats and work them back toward the channel.

 

Bass

2-12 Feet

Improving

Finally, we’re beginning to see some bass being caught. Minnow imitating crankbaits are really hot right now. Shad Raps and Rattle Traps are two very good bait choices. Sproe crankbaits seem to have a little different action than some other crankbaits, and bass do like to see a little something different sometimes. Creeks, branches, and small streams seem to be holding the majority of the bigger bass right now, especially if there are some lay down trees or other partially submerged structure. Rocky points are another good place to look for bass. As the water temperatures increase, so should the numbers of bass preparing for spring spawning.

 

Tellico River Fishing Report

March 21, 2013

 

Water Conditions

The river is very clear.

The water temperature is in the low 50’s.

Water flow is a little faster now because of the recent rain.

 

Rainbow Trout

Improving

This Saturday, March 23rd is the first legal day to fish the stocked area of Tellico River and Citico Creek for the 2013-14 season. Trout fishing should greatly improve on the river and Citico Creek starting this weekend. Powerbait and Powerbait Balls in sunrise color are two top producers. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait choice. The Tellico River and Citico Creek will be closed March 21and 22 in the stocked area. There is no size limit for rainbow trout but there is a creel limit of 7. Do not forget to get your new license and your trout license for the 2013-14 fishing season!