Fishing Report for March 30, 2011

Watts Bar: The lake is a couple of feet higher than normal winter levels. Surface water temperature is near sixty. Bass were being caught shallow in the sloughs and in the water leading Into these areas. Crankbaits were being used more often than any other lure. Crappie were being caught by trollers along secondary channels leading into the sloughs. Jigs were the bait used by most anglers. There were a few anglers dipping minnows into blowdowns located along the steeper banks leading into the shallows. Some white bass and stripers were being caught above the interstate bridge. Jigs and crankbaits were the baits used most often. Some sauger were being caught in the upper portion of the reservoir while bumping jigs and/or minnows along the bottom. Chickamauga: The lake has stabilized at nearly two feet above winter level as of 3/22/11. The surface water temperature was sixty-four degrees in the sloughs and cooler in the river. Bass were being caught in shallow water. Almost every backwater pocket had a few bass. Most shallow water lures can be used to catch these fish. Crappie anglers were catching several fish, but crappie seemed to be scattered. Unstable water conditions that existed a few days earlier may have been the reason crappie were hard to find. Crappie were being caught shallow around brush and weeds. The number being caught was not great. Minnows and jigs were being for bait. Catfish were being caught in the creeks more often than in the main channel. Tailwater conditions were difficult for anglers with the fast moving water. Cordell Hull: Fishing is good. Water temperature is 55 degrees; lake is stable. Crappie fishing is good while fishing minnows and jigs around brush in 5-to-10 feet of water. Sauger fishing is improving above Gainesboro, while fishing in the channels in 35-to-40 feet of water. Bass fishing is good while fishing spinnerbaits and crankbaits around shallow covers and rock banks in 2-to-5 feet of water. Dale Hollow: Fishing is good. Water temperature is 52 degrees. Lake is slowly falling. Lots of smallmouth are being caught in the colored water on jerkbaits and crankbaits in 5-to-25 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good in the rivers while fishing minnows around willows in two feet of water. Walleye fishing is fair around East Port, while fishing jigs in 5-to-15 feet of water. Source: TWRA web page

Fishing Watts Bar Lake

Its the Middle of February and the water surface temperature is in the mid 40's. (what a cold winter we had this year)

Stripers (Rock Fish) are being caught in the tail-waters. and in some part of the river in 15' of water while the generators are running, Shad is the primary bait for quality fish.

White bass (strip bass) are being caught on flats around 8'-10' deep on spinners or anything shiny with a hook, lots of fun....on the upper Tennessee river and around the steam plant.

A lot of catfish are starting to being caught in the main lake in many areas. Shad is the better bait to use ( if you can find any). Bluff walls and docks are being targeted by a few anglers in search of bluegill. Crickets are being used by most anglers.

Deep crappie are starting to be caught while using jigs and spoons in select areas in the river. Points, drops and areas where current may influence the crappie and give them an area to ambush bait fish are the types of areas where crappie may be located.

Bass are being caught along point drops that are positioned along the main lake on one side and shallower water on the other side. The side adjacent to the main channel seems to be the area that needs to be targeted. Twelve feet of water seems to be the better depth.

Fishing on Watts Bar Lake

The lake is full at summer pool, down the river close to where my parents live the water is around 741'+. The water surface average temperature is in the mid to high 80's.

A lot of anglers are catching white and striped bass in the tail-waters below Fort Loudon and Watts Bar Dam and around sandbars where the water in shallow to deep drop offs where the fish like to hang. Top-water lures, spoons and spinner-type lures are being used more often than other baits. Live bait (thread fin shad or shiner minnows) are always the best bait.

Catfish are being caught by those drifting in the main channel. Bass are being caught more often in the primary water. Deep water structure is the most popular area being fished.

Schooling bass can be located by looking for surface activity. Crank-baits, worms, jigs and spoons are being used most often for bait. Top-water lures are good for surface schooling bass.

Crappie are being caught most often at night while fishing underneath some type of light source. Minnows and/or jigs are being used for bait.

Bluegill are being caught near river rock walls.

Enjoy a nice day of fishing and always try to bring a kid with ya and teach them a fun and safe hobby of hunting and fishing in Tennessee.

Watts Bar Lake

The water surface temperature was 86 degrees as of 7/11/10. The lake was full.
Bass were being caught deep more often than shallow. Primary points, humps and drops have been target areas for anglers. Some secondary water bass have been caught near shad minnows and in areas where storms push new water into the resevoir. All the baits normally used in deep water have been used. Spinnerbaits and topwater lures are being used in the shallow areas early and late during the day.

Rockfish have been caught while using shad in the tailwaters.

Crappie have been caught most often at night while fishing underneath lights. Minnows and/or jigs have been used for bait.

Catfish were being caught in the deeper holes in the river. Live bait was being used more often than any other bait for catfish.

Some bluegill were being caught along the river bluffs. Crickets and worms were being used to catch bluegill.

Watts Bar Lake

The lake conditions as of 4/14/10 is as follows: The water surface temperature was 62+- degrees in the main channel and warmer in the sloughs. The lake elevation was 738.5 feet. This was 2 feet below the normal summer mean.

Rockfish and white bass are being caught in greater numbers every week. Jigs, crank-baits and shad are being used most often for bait.

A few anglers are still focused on sauger and a few are being caught while bumping the bottom in the tail-waters.

Crappie are being caught all over the lake (slab size). The water depth range of 4 to 8 feet seems to be the target zone that is the most productive zone. Spawning areas or areas adjacent to the same are the types of areas that seems to be the best areas. Jigs and/or spoons are being used for bait.

Bass are being caught most often on gradual sloping banks that transition from deep to shallow water. Crank-baits, jerk-baits, and jigs are being used in most areas.

Catfish are being caught in many locations. The larger creeks seem to be the most productive areas for catfish. Most catfish in these areas are suspended. Shad is the better bait choice.

Fishing Report in Tennessee

Watts Bar Lake

The surface water temperature was near 64 degrees as of November 30, 2009.
Crappie were being caught more often along the rocky river points and near current breaks in the same area. Minnows and jigs were being used for bait. Some crappie were being caught near blowdowns in deep bay areas.

Bass have been scattered and they can be targeted in various locations while using many lures. Some bay bass are being caught while schooling.

Rockfish have occasionally been caught in the same areas. The average schooling bass has been 2 pounds and the average striper has been around 12 pounds. One angler recorded his catch by length and he reported catching a 41-inch rockfish.

Catfish are being caught by main channel drifters. Live bait is the bait of choice. A few guides have been out with their clients and they have caught plenty of heavy catfish.

Chickamauga Lake

The surface temperature, as of November 30, 2009, was 65 degrees.

A lot of shad had pushed into very shallow water. Some bass were following the shad and some schooling activity was spotted. Some bass were being caught along the main lake areas. An assortment of lures were being used to catch bass.

Sauger anglers were catching a few fish in the Eave's bluff area which is a few miles below the dam. Jigs were being bounced along the bottom to catch sauger. Sauger anglers were catching several different species of fish.

Spotted bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, white bass, and rockfish were caught by those targeting sauger. The number of anglers in the water directly below the dam has been low due to the treacherous conditions.

Crappie anglers were catching many fish. Crappie were being caught in the river, sloughs, and the areas in between. Minnows and jigs were being used for bait.

Catfish were being caught in the main channel by those anglers drifting with shad or bluegill.

Dale Hollow Lake

Fishing is good. The water temperature is 55 degrees; lake is falling. Lots of bass are being caught on jigs and shad while fishing points in 15-to-25 feet of water.

Crappie fishing is fair on minnows in the rivers around brush in 10-to-20 feet of water.

Fishing Report on Watts Bar Lake

The surface temperature is near 60 degrees.

Crappie are being targeted along blow downs, bluff walls and near piers. Jigs and minnows are equal opportunity baits. Some large crappie are being caught.

Catfish are being caught by those drifting in the main channel. All the normal baits associated with cat fishing are being used. Shad is the best bait for the larger fish.

Some stripers are being caught in the main channel. A few are being caught in the larger creeks. The river fishing is difficult due to the heavy current. Top water lures, jigs, spoons and shad are the more popular baits being used by striper anglers.

Bass are being caught along main lake points and in shallow bay areas. The bass are being caught in the bay water areas near schools of shad. Nearly all types of lures are being used to catch bass.