The state of Tennessee offers tons of outdoor activities. You can hike trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park or swim in ponds and lakes. There are places to go rock climbing, like the Cumberland Plateau, and places to go caving, like The Lost Sea Caves. And, of course, you can go fishing in Tennessee.
Fishing Spots in Tennessee
Here are some of the best fishing spots in Tennessee. You’ll find plenty of bass fishing in the state, along with a variety of other fish to catch.
Chickamauga Lake
If you love to go bass fishing, then Chickamauga Lake will provide some good fishing spots. This 60-mile-long lake is near Nickajack and Watts Bar. The best spring bass fishing is where the Hiawassee Creek enters the Watts Bar Dam because it’s shallower than much of the lake, so it warms up faster. A little later in the year, consider fishing near the Tennessee-60 bridge, where numerous smaller creeks enter this lake.
Harrison Bay State Park is on the lake and has RV camping available. There are water and electric hookups, showers, a swimming pool, a marina, and a dump station.
Barkley Reservoir
Crappie fishing at Barkley Reservoir can be wonderful, especially on sunny February days! The area between Dover and the Kentucky line can be particularly good for early spring crappie fishing. As the days get warmer, the deep water areas can be great places to fish for largemouth bass, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, catfish, and sauger.
A small campground at Bumpus Mills has water and electric hookups, showers, a dump station, a boat ramp, and a public marina on Barkley Reservoir.
South Holston Reservoir
Once spring rains start falling, you can find excellent large and smallmouth bass fishing at South Holston Reservoir, especially from the shore. Try fishing near the underwater brush piles. Use crankbaits and stick baits to fish for bass, and you may also catch walleye and trout. Stake beds have been added to this lake, so fish for crappie near them.
Center Hill Lake
Center Hill Lake near Lancaster is an Army Corps of Engineers impoundment of the Caney Fork River. If you want to try night fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, or black bass during the summertime, fish any of the larger creek arms near the middle of this lake. The area near where Falling Water River enters this lake can be a prime spot. Rock Island State Park can be a fantastic place for walleye fishing, especially in the late spring. The state park also has campgrounds with water and electric hookups.
Fort Loudoun Lake
It’s hard to beat the number of catfish found at Fort Loudoun Lake, near Knoxville. This lake is often home to good bass fishing in the spring. Large striper and white bass can be caught at this location, but you might have the most luck fishing from a boat. Also, fish the deep holes during the day and flatter areas at night.
Woods Reservoir
Woods Reservoir near Tullahoma is an ideal spot to go fishing in Tennessee. Try for largemouth bass in the upper part of this reservoir, where the Elk River winds through the area. The lower part of the lake offers many rocky areas where smallmouth bass love to congregate. The Tullahoma area surrounding this reservoir is a beautiful spot to go camping for those looking to get away from crowds.
Pickwick Lake
The Bassmasters have named Pickwick Lake one of the top 100 bass lakes in the United States. It runs from Pickwick Dam near Counce, Tennessee, to Wilson Dam in Florence, Alabama. Fish near its 12-to-18-foot ledges until water temperatures reach about 80 degrees. Then, fish the deeper middle of this lake. Pickwick also offers outstanding catfish and crappie fishing. A three-lane boat ramp and boat rentals are available here.
Calderwood Lake
Calderwood Lake is a fantastic place for trout fishing. In the fall, when the temperatures begin to drop, use large in-line spinners or baitfish-imitating plugs not far from this lake’s shoreline. This lake, between Blount and Monroe Counties, is surrounded by mountains on every side, with the nearest city being Maryville. There are numerous places to launch a canoe or kayak, or you can fish from the shore.
Where to Fish in Tennessee
To make it easier to decide where to fish in Tennessee, you can divide the state into several regions. The western region near the Mississippi River and the Kentucky Reservoir near Benton offers outstanding bass fishing. The Middle Tennessee region near the Harpeth River and Lock A Recreation Areas near Ashland City offers great black bass and crappie fishing. The Cumberland Plateau region, near Caney Fork Reservoir, provides the best chance to catch spotted bass and walleye in the state.
Camping and Fishing in Tennessee
Many of the best fishing areas are managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. In addition to outstanding fishing, these areas often offer swimming, boating, whitewater rafting, hiking, and more outdoor opportunities. They can also be great places to go bird-watching. Many of them have camping facilities near the state’s major reservoirs. This makes them a great place to stay when fishing and camping in Tennessee.
Before you go, read this fishing blog filled with tips that will help you find success on the water.
With an RV rental, your fishing trip will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day fishing, grill up your catch right at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home on board your RV. Plan your perfect fishing getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
