Chickamauga ‘ The water surface temperature is near 84 degrees in most areas of the lake. Several fish of all species are being caught. Some bass are being caught along bluff walls located on the main channel. Rock piles, main lake points and humps remain the more consistent areas for bass. Jigs, plastic worms and jigging spoons are being used most often. Some grass fish are being caught on topwater lures. Night fishing is more popular near the grassy areas. Bluegill are being caught on river ledges while using crickets and worms. Target depth should be 25 feet. Catfish are being caught, while drifting with nightcrawlers and chicken livers, in the main channel. Some crappie are being caught at night while fishing underneath any light source. Minnows are being used for bait. White bass are being caught near the tailwaters and points downstream. Most of these fish are schooling on the surface and many times bass will be mixed in with the white bass or underneath the white bass. Spoons will catch these fish and plastic worms will be one lure that can catch the bass underneath. Rockfish are being caught in the tailwaters. Shad will be the better choice for bait. Early and late jerkbaits can be used to catch a few fish. Current is probably a fishermen’s best friend while fishing the main channel.
Dale Hollow ‘ Fishing is slow. The water temperature is 88 degrees; lake is falling. A few bass are being caught at night on river channel points using spinnerbaits and soft plastics in 25 feet of water. A few walleye are being caught while jigging spoons and trolling with nightcrawlers in 30 feet of water near the channel. A few trout are being caught, while trolling spoons with downriggers, in 50 feet of water near the dam.
Watts Bar ‘ The water surface temperature is near 83 degrees in most areas of the lake. Patterns are consistent with recent weeks and probably will remain the same until some event changes lake levels or water temperatures. Main lake bluff walls, points, humps and ledges will be the areas most bass anglers are concentrating their efforts on. Jigs, plastic worms, and swim baits will be the arsenal most anglers will have on their rods. Some bass will shallow up a bit a night allowing for a fairly strong topwater bite. Any unusual structural feature will increase the catch rate for the deeper fish. Proper use of electronics will allow these anglers to locate such areas. White bass are being caught more often on the surface near shad. Spoons, roostertails and poppers will be used by most white bass fishermen. Catfish are being caught while drifting in the main channel. Shad is still the better catfish bait. Rockfish are being caught while using shad in the tailwaters of both dams.
(Information by TWRA; compiled by Dale Stubblefield.)