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
