TWRA Weekly Fishing Forecast
NOTE - The TWRA wants to build a comprehensive report each week of the state’s lakes. If you do not see a report for your favorite lake and you are someone who can provide a report, please contact us at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov and provide us with your contact information.
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Boone Reservoir - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor – Richard Markland, Region 4 Fisheries Technician
Reservoir Conditions- Reservoir elevation is 1381.51. The water temperature is 7* degrees. Water clarity 5-10’ visibility.
Bass- Fair- Largemouth, Spots and are being caught mostly on Jigs and soft plastic finesse baits (worms, creature baits) in deeper water on rocky banks and bluffs. Early morning has been good on topwater baits. Pop- R, Wake baits, Buzz baits
Crappie- No Report
Trout- No Report
Striped Bass/Hybrid Bass- Fishing is Good. Most of the fish are being caught Davis Dock upstream to Bluff City area on Holston side and Sonny's Marina area up to Knob Creek area trolling spoons and Shad.
Center Hill – 6-20-24
Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.
Reservoir Conditions-
Center Hill Dam is continuing its low flow generation with an average of 1,600 cfs per day. Center Hill reservoir elevation has dropped to 645’. Surface water temperatures have rose to the mid-high 80s reservoir wide. On the upper end, water clarity is 3-5’ of visibility while the lower end by the dam is more 5-10’. Be cautious of other boaters and floating debris, especially if fishing at night.
Bass- Fishing is slow. Bass are being caught mostly at night or during the twilight period feeding windows. Early in the morning target creek mouths, points, or main lake chunk rock banks with topwater and small swimbaits. During the middle of the day bass can be caught in 15-20 FOW around main lake flooded trees near the bottom with finesse presentations like drop shots, shaky heads, or Neko rigs.
Sunfish- Fishing is good. Anglers are catching sunfish on worms near the bottom around flooded timber in 8-15 FOW or along shade lines in creek arms.
Chickamauga Reservoir June 15th – 16th 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was hot and sunny throughout the weekend with highs reaching up to 93 degrees. The water temps throughout the lake are still climbing throughout the lake. Current doesn’t seem to pick up until the afternoon. The water levels are now to normal full pool; the latest depth I recorded is below. For any discharge or lake elevation info, check out the TVA Lake Info App.
Reservoir Conditions
Water Temp:
- Tennessee River (Lower Section): 87.7 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
- Tennessee River (River Channel): 4 feet
- Creeks/Inlets: 3.5 feet
Water Level: 682.32 feet
Water Flow: (as of June 16th)
- Watts Bar Dam: ~ 16650 cfs
- Chickamauga Dam: ~ 26970 cfs
Observed Species Information
Bass: Fishing is fair. Anglers seemed to get more bites fishing humps/ledges off of main river and creek channels. The most successful technique observed was fishing deeper flats and humps (15-20 feet) adjacent to main channel with deep diving crankbaits and swimbaits. Many anglers are also finding success on laydowns and flats throwing spinnerbaits, chatter baits and also finesse techniques (Wacky, Texas, and Dropshot). Topwater bites are picking up over shallow grass flats as well.
Catfish: Fishing is fair. Using live/cut bait on river channel below dam in current. Anglers using jugs for fishing seem to be most successful.
Chickamauga - 6-26-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
The good news for Chickamauga is the water flow is starting earlier and the schools are grouping up earlier. The 4 and 5 inch “Minner” are fire in these schools it allows you to use a heavier weight and work it faster when they are fired up. The hair jig and scrounger are great as well if it gets tough that little pink worm and a dropshot are fire! The heavy Neko rig worm in a 5-7 inch is right there as well. The shell beds with a big worm and a football jig still gets bit. The grass is hit and miss with a Swim Jig and an Ultra Vibe Speed worm. Water level is full and water temperature is Hot!
Douglas Lake 6-27-24
Forecast Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Summer is in full swing and so are the bass. 25’ in the morning going to 30’ by mid-day.
Thai is when you need to rely on your electronics, start looking at main river ledges or breaks that trail out to the channel.
3/4oz football jigs, Carolina rig, and drop shot is my choice. The drop shot is an automatic bite and I’ve been catching several right under the trolling motor.
*If you need help with your electronics or finding summer bass shoot me an email or message on social media. We would love to take you fishing.
God Bless!
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 6-27-24
Forecast Contributor- Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
NOTE- Mr. Smith will be guiding in KY until October and will not be able to provide Hiwassee reports until then.
River Conditions
Water temp- 60 to 72 degrees
Water clarity – clear
Water level – flows vary from 0 to 2 generators (Go to TVA.com to check flow schedules) This tailwater schedule is posted after 6pm the previous day. Click on Lake Levels then Apalachia to view info.
River Conditions- The water temps are rising to lethal levels during periods of 0 generation. The heat wave and lack of rain have combined to make the fishing very difficult. When the water is running, it is cold enough for the trout but when the generators are at 0, the temps are shutting the trout down. Fishing is not good now.
Hatches – a few Sulphurs and Isonychias
Terrestrials, such as hoppers and ants are good flies to throw. Wooly buggers in sizes 6 to 10 are always productive. Olive on sunny days and black on cloudy ones are a good rule to go by. Larger streamers are productive when 2 generators are running.
Kentucky Lake 6-27-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
TVA’S DRAWDOWN BEGINS…LAKE STARTS SLOW DESCENT
Remember back in the spring when cold north winds chilled to the bone? Anglers across the board were whining about unruly conditions pushed by nasty north winds and rain that dictated where and how folks could fish. Those that wished for warmer days may have wished too hard! A heat index lately has reached the three-digit mark at times and that has altered the Kentucky Lake fishing scene for the majority of summer fishermen. Even the die-hard anglers have been complaining about the hot and humid temps. Numbers of anglers on the lake has diminished because of excessive summer heat.
Despite the unruly temps there are still a few dedicated fishermen hitting the lake after an early morning wake-up call. It’s not all bad the first few hours as light breezes sometimes team up with a little cloud cover helping make the morning fishing trips tolerable.
Recreational boaters and anglers on Kentucky Lake’s will begin to notice the reservoir’s annual drawdown kicking in on July 1. Each year Tennessee Valley Authority implements its start toward winter drawdown once July arrives. It’s a long slow decline in lake levels that will see the reservoir’s elevation fall from the 359-summer pool level to a low ebb of winter pool, which is around an elevation of 354, by late October or early November. The drawdown is done so TVA can create more storage capacity within the reservoir as winter rains occur.
It’s all part of a complex system but generally speaking management of a sometimes-wild Tennessee River has served us well here in the valley and a byproduct of navigation, flood control and hydro power has been a recreational wonderland.
This week’s fishing scene has seen stable lake levels holding at normal summer pool of 359. That’s about to see a slow decline. Hot weather continues to dictate the summer fishing scene for practically all anglers. Surface temperatures this week have risen to the 87-to-89-degree range. A few scattered reports from the upper Big Sandy basin already reported some 90-degree water a few days.
Watercolor remains clear despite a few thunderstorms that drenched some portions of the area. Those pop-up dark clouds this time of year command respect and attention from everyone on the lake. Mayfly hatches continue to be the bright spot for some anglers who love to cast ultralight tackle in the midst of a feeding frenzy. Bluegill, bass, yellow bass all sorts of sunfish and more seem to benefit from nature’s buffet.
Tossing a Rooster Tail spinner will introduce you to a wide variety of species, but bluegill and bass love the little feather tail spinners. Tossing a cricket and slip bobber beneath the mayfly hatches will produce too. In the old days the art of using a flyrod and popping bug was the norm. That style of fishing is rarely seen on the lake these days, but it still works if you know how to perform the magical casting technique. Nothing quite like it as fish rise from placid waters, tearing a hole in the surface as they compete for falling flies. Some say it’s one of fishing’s finest hours.
From the catfish category comes a sluggish report as a lack of current lately has not worked in favor of anglers stalking the main Tennessee River channel area. Without the current the fish just don’t exhibit much interest. Their feeding habits diminish along with their attitude. Watch for that to improve once TVA resumes pulling more water through Kentucky Dam. The discharge rate lately has only been around the 18,000 cubic feet per second.
Bass fishing has been sluggish as well. Several boats are out searching main lake ledges in hopes of finding some schooling activity, but the bite has been very challenging. Anglers have been tossing everything in their summer arsenal---ranging from big deep diving crankbaits to Texas rigged worms and Carolina rigs---but the bass have not shown a lot of interest. That too will change once moving water returns to the picture.
There are still some nice schools of pin minnows holding around island rim weed beds and hovering in blow downs or boat docks and piers. The pin minnows are holding tight to cover and shade and there always seems to be a few bass right there with them. Tossing a spinnerbait or various topwater baits will produce strikes.
Summer crappie are still biting for those working deep brush piles and stake beds in the 18-to-20-foot depths. Some fish have been taken in the 12-to-15-foot depth range as well. Live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows are producing.
Nickajack Lake - 6-5-24
Forecast Contributor Ethan Castle – Whitwell High School Bass Team
Fishing has been really good lately. Water temps have been in the low 80s. Most of my fish have been coming out deep in 15-20 feet of water. I have been throwing a big crank bait with chartreuse and blue back, or a green pumpkin football jig for the tougher days. You can also throw a 5-inch Scottsboro swim bait at them and catch some bigger ones. Fishing grass clumps have been producing big ones as well, mainly around 8-12 feet of water. throwing a white or green pumpkin chatter bait has been the main bait, and for the tougher days you can throw a zoom ol monster in plum or June bug color and catch them.
Normandy Lake - 6-28-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Normandy produces some good fish and especially in the morning and late evening hours. Current water levels are at 874.87 and headed up to 874.81 by Sunday morning. Crankbaits, Texas Rigs or Tightline Jigs have been our go to. We found several really nice bass using shaky heads at the end of points in 10 to 15 feet of water. Walleye can be caught trolling crankbaits or drifting minnows/crawler harnesses on flats and in the river. Keep an eye on the habitat that TWRA and TN Bass Nation put out the last couple years Water temperatures range from 85 to 88 degrees. I will be conducting a TWRA Boater Safety Course with testing the same day on 1 July 2024, Starting at 5:30pm. With course testing at 8:45pm. Class location is Franklin County Rescue Squad, back of the Franklin County Annex on Dinah Shore Blvd, Winchester TN 37398. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Percy Priest – 6-27-24
Forecast Contributor Brian Carper - briancarper.com - Follow on Facebook
The summer heat is definitely here! With the hot temperatures the lake has risen to the mid 80's. The bass are still concentrating on points, humps and ledges throughout the lake in 8ft-20ft. Deep crankbaits in shad pattern, jigs, Texas rig worms with plum ribbon tail plastics and drop shots have been productive. The lake has come up a couple inches from the recent rains.... which is good because it creates a little current. The crappie have been biting well in brush piles 13ft-23ft. Live minnows have been the most successful now that the water is in mid-80's.
For more information or Book your trip today at www.briancarper.com
Pickwick - 6-5-24
Forecast Contributor Tyler Finley – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.finley.750
The fish are finally in their summertime patterns. Shad spawn is still going first thing in the morning on shallow bars. These fish will be caught on a white swim bait and topwater. After the sun comes up you need to start to look on the ledges for schools. The majority of the schools are around state line island. These fish will be caught on a jig, Carolina rig, swim bait, and big crank bait. If you are able to find a school and make them bite it is easy to catch a large bag of fish in a hurry. Good luck!
Tims Ford - 6-28-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
It’s HOT and the fish are active. It’s time to go fishing in Southern Middle Tennessee! We found some nice fish active early in the mornings and late evenings. Our best fish came on 3/8 Shaky Head with a Magnum Trick worm and ½ ounce Tightline Green Tequila Jig this week work around brush piles in 2 to 12 feet of water. Overall numbers are holding good with 15 to 20 fish per ½ day and quality is still good this past week as well. Presentations were Texas Rigged and Carolina rigged soft plastics, Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grub. Stripe and rock fish are schooling in the mornings still.
The current Lake level is 887.99 with a forecasted level dropping due to the lack of rain to 887.80 over the weekend. Water temps are between 85 to 88 degrees on most of the lake. I will be conducting a TWRA Boater Safety Course with testing the same day on 1 July 2024, Starting at 5:30pm. With course testing at 8:45pm. Class location is Franklin County Rescue Squad, back of the Franklin County Annex on Dinah Shore Blvd, Winchester TN 37398. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382
We are heading into the 4th of July Weekend, watch for neglectful boaters out there folks. Please keep your lights on at night, even when sitting still “It’s the Law and it will save your life.” Always wear your life vest while on the water, watch for floating logs and other boaters. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watts Bar - 6-27-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is a bunch of fun when you find the schools on your electronics anywhere from 20-35 feet you need to figure out the difference between the catfish and bass! Cause the catfish will trash your equipment! The spoons are good as well as dropshot but if you can reach them with a plug, it’s on! The “Minner” is still awesome with the scope as well. The grass bite is getting better and better keep the swim worms on as well as a Senko! Water level is full water temperature is hot!
Watts Bar 6-26-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook
The fishing on Watts Bar has been really good lately despite the heat and lack of water flow. The high-water temp has a lot of the baitfish such as shad and fry minnows piled up in the channel and on top of humps and sand bars. This attracts all sorts of game fish. Trolling lures or jigging with spoons or jigs can produce a lot of fish right now including white bass, striper, walleye, crappie and an occasional bass or catfish.
If you are targeting bass, it’s a great time to fish ledges and drop offs. They are taking a variety of baits such as swim jigs, crank baits, lipless crank baits and a variety of top water baits early in the morning and later in the day starting around 6pm.
The easiest way to catch crappie right now is to drag crank baits that dive to the depth the crappie are suspended at. Another good method is to use lights to draw in the baitfish at night.
Catching catfish can be pretty easy this time of year. I usually park on sand bars close to the channel and fish on top of the bar and up tight to the edge of the drop off. Fresh shad, bluegill, skipjack and white bass all work well for bait.
The fishing below the dam is a little slow because of the lack of water flow, but there's still plenty of walleye, striper and tons of white bass in there feeding.
Wilbur Tailwater - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor – Richard Markland, Region 4 Fisheries Technician
Tailwater Conditions- Tailwaters elevation 1585.75. Avg discharge is 240 cfm. The water temperature is 40-45* on the upper end of the tailwater. Water clarity is clear top to bottom. The fishing conditions change throughout the length of the tailwaters with flow rates and temperature.
Trout- Fishing is good. The most productive areas are Wilbur Dam downstream to Hunter area, not a lot of big fish but if you are looking for numbers the upper end is the place to be. Trout are being caught using Rapalas, Night crawler, Rooster tails, Small Flies, Streamers.
Woods Reservoir 6-28-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Great place to beat the heat. Early morning and late afternoon/evening is the best. Grass lines and Brush have been the remain your best bet, Bass and Crappie all can be found along grass edges and on deeper brush piles. Best numbers are still coming on a shaky head rigged finesse bait and a Tightline Mussel Crawler Jig in Green Tequila. We found our better fish in 8 to 12 foot of water using Texas Rigged D-Bombs from Missile Baits and Tightline Mussel Crawler jigs tipped with Twin Tail grubs, soft plastics, and Carolina Rigs.
Drifting or trolling with spider rigs for Crappie is picking up some nice slabs but you have to weed through the short fish. Water temperatures range from 85 to 89 degrees. I will be conducting a TWRA Boater Safety Course with testing the same day on 1 July 2024, Starting at 5:30pm. With course testing at 8:45pm. Class location is Franklin County Rescue Squad, back of the Franklin County Annex on Dinah Shore Blvd, Winchester TN 37398. For more information call Jake Davis at 615.613.2382 Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water. Give me a call to book your trip, summer fishing can be lots of fun on Woods. Capt. Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
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