The Best Fishing Spots in Tennessee
In Tennessee anglers enjoy year‑round fishing across mountain streams, spring-fed tailwaters, big rivers and large reservoirs and lakes; popular targets include warmwater bass species such as largemouth and smallmouth, coldwater trout like rainbow and brown in Appalachian waters, and robust catfish (channel, blue and flathead), plus plentiful crappie and occasional walleye; anglers use lures, live bait, and fly fishing techniques depending on water and species, making Tennessee a diverse and productive recreational fishing destination.
Top Cities For Fishing
River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Kentucky Lake
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Caney Fork
Below Center Hill Dam , the Caney Fork tailwater provides consistent rainbow and brown trout with clear flows ideal for nymphing, dry flies, and light spin tackle. Spring and early summer bring strong hatches; fall offers streamer shots at larger browns. Numerous pull-offs and ramps along US-70 and I-40 corridors make access convenient for bank anglers and boaters alike.
Dale Hollow Lake
Crystal-clear and deep on the Obey River , Dale Hollow Lake is renowned for world-class smallmouth bass, plus solid spotted bass, crappie, and walleye. Winter through early spring yields giant smallmouth on points, bluffs, and float-n-fly tactics; summer nights bring excellent topwater and light-line finesse. Numerous marinas, island shorelines, and bluffs offer easy access for both boats and bank fishing.
Kentucky Lake
Sprawling along the Tennessee River , Kentucky Lake is famed for largemouth bass, slab crappie, and strong spring runs of white bass. Spring brings outstanding shallow bite in buckbrush and flats, summer patterns shift to ledges and river-channel drops, and fall shad migrations keep fish feeding. Extensive boat ramps and marinas pair with abundant riprap and bank access near parks, making it productive for both boating and shoreline anglers.
Boone Lake
Rebounding in recent years on the South Fork Holston River , Boone Lake offers improving largemouth and smallmouth fishing, strong striped bass hybrids, and seasonal crappie. Spring action centers on creeks and rocky points; summer fish relate to offshore structure and river-channel bends; fall can bring schooling topwater near bait clouds. Multiple ramps and parks around Johnson City aid both shore and boat anglers.
Fort Loudoun Lake
Flowing through the Knoxville area, Fort Loudoun Lake produces solid largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish, with seasonal striped bass in the river sections. Spring fishing heats up in coves and riprap; summer ledge and bridge piling bites are reliable; fall schooling occurs near bait-rich creek mouths. Abundant ramps, parks, and greenway shoreline make it a versatile urban fishery.
Center Hill Lake
A deep, scenic highland reservoir on the Caney Fork , Center Hill Lake holds smallmouth bass, quality spotted bass, and good walleye and crappie. Winter and early spring finesse tactics on bluffs and points excel; summer night fishing and offshore structure become key; fall shad movements bring fish shallow. Ramps, marinas, and parks around Smithville support both boat and shore fishing.
Cherokee Lake
Fed by the Holston River , Cherokee Lake offers abundant striped bass, crappie, and quality largemouth/smallmouth. Spring brings crappie to brush and docks; summer striper schools and offshore bass on humps and points keep rods bent; fall shad migrations spark schooling topwater. Shoreline parks and numerous ramps around Morristown make it accessible for all anglers.
Chickamauga Lake
A national bass hotspot near Chattanooga , Chickamauga Lake produces trophy largemouth bass with grass, current breaks, and offshore ledges fueling the bite from spring through fall. Anglers also find quality crappie, blue catfish, and striped bass. Spring prespawn staging on creek mouths and hydrilla lines is legendary, while summertime ledge fishing and tailrace current near Chickamauga Dam stays strong.
Clinch River
Below Norris Dam , the Clinch River tailwater is a premier trout fishery with abundant brown trout and rainbow trout, plus seasonal shots at large fish during low, clear flows. Nymphs and small streamers excel year-round, with excellent summer sulphur hatches. Wading access alternates with generation schedules, and boat anglers drift long, productive runs and shoals downstream toward Clinton .
Douglas Lake
East Tennessee’s drawdown reservoir below the French Broad River is famed for spring crappie and consistent largemouth bass. Pre-spawn and spawn fill coves and flooded bushes, while summer and early fall offshore points, ledges, and channel swings shine. With multiple access areas near Sevierville and Dandridge , both bank and boat anglers find season-long action.
Holston River
The Holston tailwater below Cherokee Dam features cold, clear flows with excellent rainbow and brown trout, plus seasonal smallmouth downstream where temperatures warm. Spring sulphur and caddis hatches are marquee events; summer terrestrials and nymphing keep rods bent. Public access sites near Rutledge and Knoxville support wading and boat drifts.
Norris Lake
Set in the Clinch and Powell drainages, Norris Lake offers clear water with strong populations of striped bass, smallmouth, and largemouth. Spring brings smallmouth to gravel and bluff transitions; summer striper action follows bait in the main channel; fall schooling occurs on points and creek mouths. With long, winding shorelines and many marinas, access is excellent throughout Anderson and Campbell counties.
Old Hickory Lake
Minutes from Nashville , Old Hickory Lake features reliable largemouth bass, strong spring crappie, and big blue catfish. Vegetation, docks, and creek mouths shine in spring; summer fish relate to main-river ledges and channel swings; fall sees shad-driven schooling. City parks, greenways, and marinas provide plentiful shoreline and boating access across the impounded Cumberland River .
Pickwick Lake
Straddling the Tennessee–Alabama–Mississippi line, Pickwick Lake boasts powerhouse smallmouth bass, heavy blue catfish, and strong striped bass action, especially in the tailrace below Pickwick Landing Dam . Spring smallmouth spawn on gravel bars and humps, summer fish pile on current-swept ledges, and fall shad chases produce fast topwater bites. Parks, ramps, and riprap-lined banks provide ample shore options.
Reelfoot Lake
A natural cypress-studded lake in northwest Tennessee, Reelfoot is famed for giant bluegill, outstanding crappie, and dependable largemouth bass. Spring crappie pile into shallow timber and pads; summer panfish action is steady around cypress knees; fall bass relate to submerged stumps and edges. Boardwalks, piers, and shallow flats allow excellent shore and small-boat fishing throughout the Reelfoot Lake State Park area.
South Holston River
The South Holston tailwater below South Holston Dam is famed for prolific brown trout and dependable rainbow action, with legendary sulphur and midge hatches. Low water offers technical sight-fishing; on generation, boat drifts cover long riffles and bends. Cooler months bring streamer bites for bigger browns, and access points near Bluff City and Bristol serve both waders and boaters.
Tellico Lake
A clear, scenic reservoir connected to Fort Loudoun Lake , Tellico Lake offers strong smallmouth and largemouth bites around rocky points, bluffs, and creek arms, with seasonal shots at striped bass. Spring finds bass shallow on pea gravel and docks; summer fish hold on offshore structure; fall topwater shines with shad schools. Parks and greenways around Lenoir City give ample shore access.
Tims Ford Lake
A deep, clear reservoir on the Elk River , Tims Ford offers quality smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and strong striped bass hybrids. Early spring smallmouth stage on rocky points; summer fishing centers on humps and thermocline edges; fall brings schooling topwater near bait pods. Multiple ramps and park shorelines near Winchester enable both boat and bank access.
Watauga River
A classic East Tennessee tailwater below Watauga Dam and Wilbur Dam , the Watauga offers year-round brown and rainbow trout with caddis, sulphur, and midge hatches. Drifting nymphs and small streamers produces across riffles and deep runs; summer terrestrials and winter midge fishing can be outstanding. Public access near Elizabethton supports both wading and float trips.
Watts Bar Lake
On the mid-Tennessee River , Watts Bar Lake supports quality largemouth, solid crappie, and heavyweight catfish. Spring action focuses on creeks, grass, and shallow wood; summer fishing shines on ledges, bridges, and current seams; fall brings roaming schools under bait. Public ramps, parks, and tailrace areas near Watts Bar Dam provide productive boat and bank opportunities.