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Region 3 Fishing Report

April 25, 2018

Chickamauga Reservoir

Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 680.84 feet. The water surface temperature is 61 degrees.

Largemouth Bass: Bass anglers are catching a few big fish. Early last week fishermen were catching more fish than later in the week. The water fluctuated during the week as much as 1.5 feet. One boat of anglers is averaging catching 20 bass a day while other anglers are having difficulty catching fish. Fish shallow with creature baits.

Smallmouth Bass: Some smallmouth bass are being caught along the steep banks in the larger creeks while using jigs or crankbaits. Upper river anglers are catching smallmouth while casting crankbaits along the river bluffs.

Crappie: Trollers are catching some fish in the creeks and sloughs in the water leading into the spawning areas. Minnows or jigs can be used.

Striped bass: A few fish are being caught in the tailwaters while using shad.

Bluegill/Shellcrackers: Worms or small jigs are being used in the ditches or cuts that run from the main channel to catch several fish. Fish are also being caught along the banks that have 3 to 5 feet of water leading into the spawning areas.

Walleye: A few fish are being caught while using jigs or crankbaits in the tailwaters below Watts Bar Dam. Shad, minnows, and crankbaits are being used.

Catfish: Few anglers.

White Bass: Fish the upper reservoir banks with a crankbait.

Watts Bar

Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.11 feet. The water surface temperature is 60 degrees.

Largemouth Bass: Bass are being caught shallow. Fluctuating water is frustrating anglers. Creature baits are the most used bait.

Smallmouth Bass: Fish sloping banks leading into the shallow areas while using crankbaits or jigs.

Crappie: Some crappie are spawning. A few crappie can be caught 4 to 10 feet deep in the water leading out of the spawning areas.

Catfish: Most are shallow. Use anything meaty.

Walleye: Troll crankbaits in the tailwater below Ft. Loudon Dam.

White Bass: Use crankbaits in the tailwater.

Bluegill: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks.

Dale Hollow

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good and the water temperature is 60 degrees. The water level is at 650 feet and the lake is rising.

Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught on topwater baits and swimbaits while fishing flats in 10-12 feet of water.

Largemouth Bass: Lots of largemouths are being caught on floating worms and jigs while fishing shallow cover in the creeks.

Crappie: Several are being caught in the willows on minnows in the back of the creeks.

Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught at night on jerk baits while fishing points and channel banks in 5-10 feet of water.

Catfish: Several cats are being caught on noodles while baited with shad.

Bluegill and Shellcracker: A few nice ones are being caught on night crawlers in the back of the creeks in 5 feet of water.

Center Hill

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 61 degrees. Lake is rising. Water level is at 634 feet.

Black Bass: Lots of bass are being caught on floating worms and other top water baits while fishing the sides of the creeks in about 5 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught around lay down trees on minnows in 5-10 feet of water.

Bluegill/Shellcracker: Lots of fish being are caught in the head of the creeks in 5 feet of water on night crawlers.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near Pates Ford on crankbaits in 5-10 feet of water.

Catfish: Several cats are being caught on noodles baited with shad.