Fishing with Big Willy, December 29, 2016 Fishing Report

Chickamauga Reservoir
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 676.8 feet. The water surface temperature is 50 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Some really nice bass are being caught. Swimbaits are being used by many anglers that try to catch quality fish. Lots of bass anglers are out in pursuit of largemouth bass currently thanks to the milder winter conditions.
Smallmouth Bass: Lower and upper reservoir anglers are catching a few smallmouth. Both anglers are tossing jigs and crankbaits along the steeper banks.
Crappie: Docks, bluff walls and blowdowns are areas where anglers are searching for fish. Most crappies are located on the river. Minnows or jigs can be used. Several fish are being caught.
Striped bass: Good fishing for striped bass exists in the tailwaters. The bait of choice is shad.
Bluegill: Bottom fishermen using worms are catching fish in the large creeks.
Sauger/Walleye: Several walleye are being caught in the Watts Bar tailwater areas. Best methods are jigs and some crankbaits.
Catfish: Good fishing success exists for catfish, especially due to recent rain and milder temperatures. Shad has been the better bait although most meaty baits will work well.

Watts Bar
Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet. Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 737.0 feet. The water surface temperature is 49 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: The best of the shallow bite seems to be gone as compared to the recent past. Most anglers are moving out toward the river. Jigs, jerkbaits, and live baiters are catching more fish than other anglers. Some 5 and 6 pound fish were recently caught in the mid lake. Recent rains and warmer temperatures should secure some bass near springtime areas.
Smallmouth Bass: Most fish caught are on the main lake (bluffs, rip rap with current). Slower moving baits are being used by most fishermen.
Walleye: Several reports of walleye being caught in the tailwater area and downstream in traditional sauger areas. Jigs bounced along the bottom are the best technique to use.
Crappie: Creek channels leading into the river are holding fish. Deep secondary channels are also holding fish. Minnows or jigs fished deep are producing the better results.
Catfish: Several catfish are being caught. Recent rain events have encouraged catfish to feed in some creek areas and sloughs adjacent to the main river.

Dale Hollow
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 50 degrees. The water level is at 642 feet and the lake is rising.
Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouths are being caught on tail spinners and shiners while fishing points in 25-35 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass: Several largemouths are being caught in the rivers on crankbaits and spinnerbaits on channel banks in 5-10 feet of water.
Crappie: A few crappies are being caught on minnows around sunken brush in Eagle Creek in 15-20 feet of water.

Center Hill
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 52 degrees. The lake is rising and the water level is at 631 feet.
Spotted Bass: Several spotted bass are being caught on crankbaits on channel banks in the rivers.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth fishing is good while using jigs on points in 15 feet of water.

Courtesy : TWRA