Fishing Report
Fishing is good. The water temperature is 75 degrees; lake is stable. Several bass are being caught on Carolina rigs, while fishing main lake points in 10-to-20 feet of water. Bluegill fishing is good, while fishing crickets and nightcrawlers on gravel banks in 10 feet of water.
Chickamauga
Lake conditions as of 6/02/08: Surface water temperatures were in a range from 69 degrees to 81 degrees depending on time of day and location. Lake elevation was 683.1 feet’ which is higher than normal summer pool. The higher than normal water level is pushing some larger numbers of bass into weedy areas. The weedy areas that are holding bass are those that are closely related to primary water. Spinnerbaits, topwater lures and plastic worms are being used most often in these areas. The larger or heavier stringers of bass are being caught along primary points and humps. Some of these humps are as deep as 30 feet. Plastic worms rigged various ways and swim baits are being used more often than other lures near the humps and points. Rockfish are not being caught on any consistent basis, probably due to current flow. Current flow last year was a problem due to the lack of rain. This year the lake has been filling up and not a lot of water has been flowing through. Speculation around the lake has been that the flow has been kept to a minimum to keep from disturbing the work below Chickamauga Dam. I do not know if that is true or not. A lot of catfish are near the banks, but some are still being caught in the main channel. Crappie anglers are few and those that are catching fish are catching most of their fish along the river bluff walls and deep in the larger creeks. Minnows and jigs are being used for bait most often. Bluegill are being caught in the shallows and along the deeper banks. Worms and crickets are good bait choices. White bass are being caught near the tailwaters and along the hump ledges in the lower to middle section of the lake. Jigs, spoons, and roostertails are popular baits to use for white bass.
Dale Hollow
Fishing is good. The water temperature is 73 degrees; lake is rising. Several bass are being caught in the creeks on topwater baits and grubs, while fishing near the shore where locus are falling out of the trees. Bluegill fishing is good on nightcrawlers and crickets near willow bushes in 5-to-10 feet of water. Several walleye are being caught early in a.m. and at night while trolling stickbaits in 5-to-15 feet of water. Trout fishing is fair, near the dam, while fishing nightcrawlers and corn under lights in 20-to-25 feet of water.
Watts Bar
Lake conditions as of 6/02/08 were as follows: Water surface temperature is in a range from 67degrees to 80 degrees depending on time and location. Water elevation was 740.9 feet. This is in a range considered to be normal summer elevation. Bass anglers are catching large fish and numbers of fish. Most bass are being caught along drops situated between primary and shallow areas. These locations are transitional areas that are being used by bass probably because the larger numbers of baitfish are also in these areas. Hard and fast cranking is the technique that is being used most often. Plastics, fished much slower, is the other technique that has been rewarding in these same areas. Crappie are being caught most often at night. Minnows, jigs and spoons are being used as bait. Bluegill are being caught near piers and docks. Crickets are being used most often. Catfish are being caught near the bank in the river. Shad and all the normal catfish baits are being used. Rockfish are being caught in the tailwaters when the current flow is good and several smaller rockfish are being caught near primary humps in the low to middle section of the lake. Topwater lures, swim baits and live shad are better than any other bait or lures. White bass action is very good. Quality and quantity of white bass are being caught along mid-lake humps in the primary waters. Spinner-type lures are being used most often.
Percy Priest
The anglers who pursue crappie year round are still catching them. You must find structure, or you can troll and catch them alongside and in river and creek channels. Small crankbaits are good trolled. Plastic baits and minnows are good fished deep around structure. The fish are thinner than they were with summer now here and the spawn long over.
A lot of small fish are showing up in creels, but 4 to 6-pound fish are also being taken on occasion. Fish shallow early in the mornings and late in the evenings. Look for fish on humps and ledges in the middle of the day. Night fishing is good. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms, lizards, and creature baits are good on humps and ledges and at night. Deep running crankbaits are also very good daytime lures.
A lot of hybrids are being caught and many in the 8 to 12-pound range. Live bait is good’if you can catch it’but trolling is also good with various jigs or crankbaits.
Old Hickory
Not a lot of activity right now, but not many anglers fishing for them. Old Hickory has a good population of crappie, but look for them deep. Go to creeks and fish in and around ledges or deep water near the dam and find cover. Fish small plastic baits or minnows over deep structure.
Many chunky largemouth are being caught (13 to 14-inches) and providing a great time for anglers who just like catching fish. Crankbaits fished shallow, early and late, are a good way to catch these fish all over the reservoir. Bigger fish are a bit deeper and around structure. Jig fishing is also good right now shallow or deep. Spinnerbaits around cover also working well.
Caney Fork River
Fishing continues to be excellent on rod and reel or on fly fishing equipment. Browns, rainbows, and brook trout are all biting.