Southern Standard Fishing Report

Photo provided

Jimmy McGowan caught this nice walleye on July 5, while fishing out of Horseshoe Bend Marina. McGowan?s big fish weighed in at 9-3/4 pounds.

CENTER HILL ? Fishing is good. The water temperature is 84 degrees; lake is falling. Bass fishing is good at night on soft plastic baits and spinnerbaits on ledges in 10-to-15 feet of water. Walleye fishing is great one day and slow the next. Some really nice fish are being caught in the mouths of major creeks while trolling cranks, rigs and hot’n’tots in 18 feet of water. Several catfish are being caught on juglines in the upper section of the lake.

CHICKAMAUGA ? The water surface temperature is 85 degrees. Bass fishermen are catching several good-size bass. Main creek and river ledges are getting the most attention by the successful anglers. These areas are being fished with plastic worms and various riggings are being used. Three and four pound bass have been common catches for many anglers. Frogs fished weedless across the weedy and grassy areas has been a method that has worked for many fishermen. Crappie fishing is good, especially for this time of year. Ten feet of water in the primary and secondary areas along with minnows fished near brush is the combination most successful anglers are using. Moving water seems to be an additional benefit. Bluegill are being caught in numbers near the fly hatches and along the river breaks in water 20 feet deep. Catfish are being caught in the primary water while drifting and using all the typical stuff. Current flow is necessary for the more successful fishing trips. Stripers are being caught in the tailwaters. The quantity seems to be lower and the quality seems to be higher.

DALE HOLLOW ? Fishing is good. The water temperature is 81 degrees; lake is falling. Lots of good smallmouth are being caught in the early daylight hours while fishing topwater baits, over flats, in 15-to-30 feet of water. Night fishing is good on soft plastic baits and spinnerbaits on points in 15 feet of water. Walleye fishing is fair, while fishing nightcrawler spinner rigs and deep diving crankbaits, near grass, in 25 feet of water. Trout are being caught near the dam at night and in the day in 35 feet of water.

WATTS BAR ? The water surface temperature is 85 degrees in the Tennessee River and 72 degrees below Melton Hill Dam. Fly hatches are increasing the numbers of fish being caught by a lot of anglers. Roostertails, silver spoons and jigs are just as good as anything else. White bass have become elusive for most anglers. The humps and ledges were previously loaded with shad creating a good environment for white bass.

(Information from the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency; compiled by Dale Stubblefield.)