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.