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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, Wakebaits, Buzzbaits
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 – 6-12-24
Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.
Reservoir Conditions-
Center Hill Dam has slowed generation to an average of 1,600 cfs per day. The reservoir elevation still sits at 646’. Surface water temperatures have warmed back up from the mid 70s to 80 degrees. Water clarity ranges 5-7’ visibility to 2-3’ visibility based off runoff and boat traffic in the area. Be cautious of other boats while on the water.
Bass- Fishing is slow. There are small feeding windows during the twilight periods in dawn/dusk where bass are actively feeding. Target these fish with topwater, swimbaits, or flukes near main lake banks. Later in the day fish main lake points with bottom contact baits in 15-25 FOW. Fishing at night would be recommended for better success.
Sunfish- Fishing is good. Most sunfish are being caught in creeks with worms near the bottom in 6-8 FOW. Target flooded trees and shade lines.
Chickamauga Reservoir June 7th – 12th 2024
Forecast Contributor – Nathan Rogers, Region III Creel Clerk
The weather was warm and sunny throughout the weekend with mornings being chillier than usual for June. The water temps throughout the lake are still climbing with water temperatures in the main river being much cooler than creeks/inlets due to amount of current. 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): 79.8 degrees Fahrenheit
- Tennessee River (Middle Section): 77.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Hiwassee River: 78.7 degrees Fahrenheit
Water Clarity:
- Tennessee River (River Channel): 4 feet
- Hiwassee River: 3 feet
- Creeks/Inlets: 3.5 feet
Water Level: 682.08 feet
Water Flow: (as of June 12th)
- Watts Bar Dam: ~ 10529 cfs
- Chickamauga Dam: ~ 13282 cfs
- Ocoee #1 Dam: ~25 cfs
- Apalachia Dam: ~1496 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 crank baits and swimbaits. Many anglers are also finding success on lay downs and flats throwing spinner baits, chatter baits and also finesse techniques (Wacky, Texas, and Drop shot).
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.
Sunfishes: Fishing is good. Most anglers are using worms or crickets on banks in downed treetops or rocky structure.
Chickamauga - 6-12-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Chickamauga is full. Water temperature is high 70s low 80s. It is critical to have the graphs dialed up as you venture offshore on the shell beds and current breaks! The big plug and a hair jig is a must! If you don’t have that technology on your boat then get the football jig and Carolina rig out fish the top of the bars where they break into the creek channels or throw that big worm. The scrounger head with a long minnow bait can be awesome right now just don’t over reel it! The grass bite is actually getting better as it gets higher. Remember stay as light as you can in the grass be natural! Sometimes slower is better!
Douglas Lake 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Brad Burkhart – Follow on Facebook
Fishing is great right now on Douglas lake. The weather is nice, the water temps are still cool ……. And with that the bite is somewhat different than years past.
The schools of offshore bass that Douglas is known for are just not out there “deep” yet. But the bite is still very good. I’m have a lot of success fishing the shallower areas that serve as stop offs between the spawning areas and the summer haunts. These places include flats with ditches, main channel bushes that are close to deep water, and also the docks on the main channel.
My baits of choice are Carolina rig, Neko rig, also a spinner bait and football jig.
Don’t worry, the water will warm and the schools will be in 35’ before you know it.
Hope this helps,
To book a trip with me go to https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.killerbassbaits.com__;!!PRtDf9A!uW9yt4gD5yOE72IytOkNBpJlGuAb54EfVBbksruYmQLe5n6VFGCUwoLYwN9BbioJ0MXvlQDLC-ONMQHPEYRskHjHI3flQ-M$ and click on the guide service tab, or you can give me a call or email. Thanks.
God Bless!
Brad Burkhart
@bradburkhartprofishing
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse – 6-10-24
Forecast Contributor- Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
River Conditions –Water clarity – clear. A mix of 0 to 2 generators.
Water temps – 57-62 degrees
Fishing this week has been really tough for the majority of the day. Bluebird skies and varying generation schedules have the trout just not feeding during the midday hours. Fishing picks up in the late afternoon with sulphur hatches.
The stripers have made it to Reliance so trout fishing from Big Bend downstream will be marginal at best for the rest of the summer.
Kentucky Lake 6-12-24
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HOT WEATHER ENTERS THE PICURE…ANGLERS KICK OFF EARLY
Earlier this week Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene flirted with some cool morning temps that sort of had a fall feel. Chilly starts required long sleeve shirts several days. It appears the honeymoon with cool mornings and low humidity has come to an end. By this weekend summer weather patterns descend, sending temps into the low to mid 90’s. Summer doesn’t officially arrive until June 20 but anglers best prepare for the approaching heat wave that may alter the fishing timetable for scores of anglers.
Fishermen are already altering their daily kickoff times and planning to hit the lake in the wee hours of the morning before a mean midday sun takes over. Surface temperatures have climbed slightly and will reach the 81 to 83 degree range this weekend. Weather experts indicate a 100-degree heat index is in the cards by this weekend. Water color is clear across the reservoir. Lake levels are stable and hanging around the summer pool elevation of 359.
Mayfly hatches continue to show up along the main channel areas and along the rims of river islands. That usually pulls several bass and bluegill to the shallow areas where shady overhangs deliver a steady diet of flies, luring hungry fish. Tossing ultralight tackle using small grubs, Rooster tail spinners or perhaps crickets can deliver a lot of action in the midst of a mayfly hatch.
Crappie fishing has held up well for anglers targeting the 9 to 14 foot depth range. Successful anglers credit both live minnows and jigs and a lot are tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites from finicky fish. Stake beds and brush piles are holding decent numbers of fish. The bite has been best when a light breeze teams up with some cloud cover. Those bright high skies together with a stagnant wind out on the lake seem to produce a reluctant bite.
Bass have been pretty good on main lake ledges and humps. Scores of bass fishermen are targeting the main lake areas while tossing big deep diving crank baits in shad colored variations. Others are relying on Texas rigged worms in green pumpkin pepper, Tequila sunrise, black/blue combination and cotton candy just to name a few. Also in the arsenal have been Carolina rigged worms, swim baits and a jig and craw combo fished out on the ledges.
Not all the fish are in a deep pattern. Some anglers credit their catches to tossing a spinner bait, topwater and Texas rigged worm or shallow running crank bait around island rims. The key is to locate the schools of pin minnows as the bass will be there with them. Some days current has helped the bass bite for both deep and shallow fishermen. Current stimulates activity, resulting in more movement of bait fish.
Finding blow downs along the main river shorelines or island rims has been a good choice for activity. Several tree tops have fallen on shorelines and created good bass habitat.
The catfish bite has been dependent on the current. Not much current was present earlier this week but watch for that to increase as hot weather increases power demands. TVA will likely be pulling more water in the days ahead. The bite along the main river channel bank areas should improve once the current increases and adds more balls of bait fish moving about. Without current catfish take on a lethargic attitude due to a lack of shad movement.
A few scattered reports have come in from boats trolling crank baits out on main lake sandbars and finding a few sauger. Not big numbers but a few scattered ones showing up. With hot weather heating up the fishing scene it’s best to rise and shine early, perhaps pitching in the towel before a midday sun takes the fun out of it!
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 beencoming out deep in 15-20 feet of water. I have been throwing a big crank bait with chartreuseand 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 greenpumpkin chatter bait has been the main bait, andfor the tougher days you can throw a zoom ol monster in plum or junebug color and catch them.
Normandy Lake - 6-6-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Normandy is producing some good fish and especially in the morning and late evening hours. Current water levels are at 875.42 and headed up to 875.46by Sunday morning. Crank baits, 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 4 to 10 feet of water. Walleye can be caught trolling crank baits 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 78 to 83 degrees. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water.Capt Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Percy Priest – 6-13-24
Forecast Contributor Brian Carper - briancarper.com - Follow on Facebook
After last weeks cooler temperatures....which was so odd for June, the fish are finally falling into their summer patterns. The water temperature is now in the 80's and climbing. The bass have been starting to concentrate deeper in 8ft-15ft on ledges, humps and points. Mid lake has been the most productive for us in areas new the main channel. I have only been using 2 baits with much success....Strike King 5XD in shad or chart/blue and a 10" plum Power worm. The key is to keep move and fins the schools!
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 - 6-13-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Even with the heat Its still time to go fishing in Tennessee! We’ve found some nice fish active early in the mornings. 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 foot 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 888.03 with a forecasted level remain close to 888.01 over the weekend. Water temps are between 79 to 84 degrees on most of the lake. Best ramps are Tims Ford Marina, Bass Club at Winchester City Park, State Park, Lost Creek, Turkey Creek and Devils Step at Fairview. Please wear your life vest all the time while on the water, watch for floating logs and other boaters.Capt Jake 615-613-2382 or msbassguide@comcast.net
Watts Bar - 6-12-24
Forecast Contributor – Billy Wheat, Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/riprapfishingadventures and www.riprapfishing.net
Watts Bar is full! Water temperature is 78-81 and going to get hotter! The grass bite is getting better especially in the deeper grass the Ol Monster worm and swim jig are the ticket to find them. Look for the edges and the thick grass as the Senko or Mag Trick worm will help you if you have to slow down. The mayflies are here so any pop-r or compact jig will get the bites around the bug banks. The shell beds and wood are still kicking them out so if you have the additional FFS then use it. It can be very valuable to you right now. If you don’t have that then stay on that big worm around the wood 8-12 feet deep. Many changes happen this time of year so you can catch them shallow or deep.
Watts Bar 6-13-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Wallace Sitzes – Follow on Facebook
With the high temps during the day, pretty warm temps at night and very little wind, the water temp came up fast.Most of the bass and shellcracker left their beds and probably won't go back on unless we get a good cold front.Bluegill and some crappie will go on and off their beds depending on the weather. Fishing around cold creeks that dump into the main river will prolong their spawning in some areas. Catfish will go in and out of spawn until about August.
The majority of the big bass I've been getting are hanging around very shallow structure close to deep drop offs.This allows them to stay cool while being shallow enough to ambush shad and hatching minnows without wasting a bunch of energy.
White bass are all over the place right now, but usually stack up around sand bars and river bends. They are hard to miss with sonar.If you go out early morning or about 7 pm you'll see them busting the surface gorging on threadfin.They can be caught all day jigging or using spoons, but I just fish for them when they are busting the surface.There used to be a lot of big striper mixed in with them but jug lines and illegal commercial trot lines have wiped out a lot of them.
Cat fishing is good this time of year and they can show up just about anywhere.If the water isn't flowing very much I fish the top of sandbars close to bait fish and white bass.Live bluegill, cut bluegill and white bass are great baits right now.Shad also works well this time of year, but you will have to sift through a lot of small cats to get the big ones. No matter what bait you use,fresh bait that hasn't been frozen is always a lot better for consistently catching big catfish.If you ever wanted to try grabbing or "noodling", this is the time of year for it. It's not for the faint of heart.You will get cut up. You will get your fingers chomped and twisted and could easily break a wrist or even drown. I would only suggest doing it with someone who is very experienced at it.
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 6-13-24
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – Follow on Facebook
Grass lines and Brush have been the remain your best bet, Bass and Crappie all can be found along grass edges and on deeper cover. Best numbers are still coming on a shaky head rigged finesse bait and a Tightline Mussell Crawler Jig in Green Tequila.We found our better fish in 6 to 10 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 79 to 82 degrees. 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
