Watts Bar Lake Fishing Report

Watts Bar:

The lake level is normal. Scheduled drawdown should begin on November 1, 2009.

Bass fishermen are not catching a lot of keeper bass. Several small fish are being caught and a few heavy weight smallmouth bass are being caught or at least hooked. Several fishermen have caught 5 pound smallmouth in recent days and a few have shared their stories about the one that got away. Shallow points and ledges located in the large water locations are producing the large smallmouth.

Largemouth bass seem to be located along secondary areas that are slightly deeper than the surrounding areas. Brush and windward banks will increase the odds of catching fish. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are being used to catch a greater number of smallmouth bass. Flipping jigs are being used by those wishing to enhance their largemouth stringers.

The number of crappie being caught is increasing everyday. Minnows and/or jigs are being used for bait. Blowdowns located on sloping banks with at least 12’ of water seems to be a combination that most crappie enthusiasts are using to catch the maximum number of fish.

Many bluegill are being caught while using topwater flies in the secondary water in the area above Hwy. 58. A lot of catfish and several heavy weights are being caught while using live shad for bait.

Main channel ledges are being targeted by those catching catfish.

Rockfish are being caught in the main channel while using shad in the areas located upstream.

Chickamauga:

The drawdown started on September 1st. Heavy rains delayed the drawdown temporarily and now the lake is at the normal seasonal level which is 1 foot below the average summer level. Cloudy to murky water is being found in most areas of the lake.

Rockfish are being caught while using shad for bait in the tailwaters below Watts Bar Dam. Bass anglers are catching the better quality fish in the large water locations. Each day more and more bass are being caught in shallow bay areas. Almost all types are lures are being used depending on the type of water being fished.

Crappie are being caught near river bluff walls and along secondary banks with blowdowns. Minnows and/or jigs are being used for bait.

Catfish are being caught in select areas located on the main channel. Several anglers have caught fish weighing in excess of 30 pounds and a few have been caught that weigh in excess of 50 pounds. Shad is the best bait.

Bluegill are being caught along the deep river flats while using crickets or worms for bait.

Dale Hollow:

Fishing is slow. The water temperature is 70 degrees; lake is falling.

A few bass are being caught on topwater baits, while fish are chasing chad in the mid-section of the lake.

A few crappie are being caught above sunset while using minnows in trees in 15 feet of water.

A few walleye are being caught while jigging spoons on drops in 33 feet of water.