Best Places To Fish in Tennessee

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Tennessee is a haven for anglers, offering a variety of top-notch fishing locations throughout the state. From lakes and rivers to reservoirs and streams, Tennessee provides diverse opportunities for anglers to pursue their favorite species. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing opportunities in the state, for a variety of fish species.

One of the most renowned fishing destinations in Tennessee is the Tennessee River, which stretches for miles and encompasses several reservoirs and lakes. The Tennessee River is famous for its excellent fishing for species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Anglers can enjoy productive fishing year-round, but spring and fall are typically the best seasons to target bass and crappie, while catfish can be targeted successfully throughout the year.

Another popular fishing location in Tennessee is Norris Lake. Known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic beauty, Norris Lake offers exceptional angling opportunities for species like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and striped bass. Spring and fall are prime seasons to target bass, as they are more active and feeding aggressively during these times. Walleye fishing is particularly productive in late winter and early spring, while striped bass can be targeted successfully during the summer months.

For trout enthusiasts, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-visit destination. The park boasts numerous cold-water streams, creeks, and rivers that are ideal for trout fishing. Rainbow trout and brown trout are the most common species found in these waters. Spring and fall are considered the best seasons for trout fishing in the Smoky Mountains, as the water temperatures are cooler and the fish are more active.

Other popular fishing locations in Tennessee include Dale Hollow Lake, known for its exceptional smallmouth bass fishing, and Chickamauga Lake, renowned for its trophy-sized bass. These lakes offer year-round fishing opportunities, with spring and fall being the prime seasons for targeting bass.

Overall, the best season to fish in Tennessee depends on the species you're targeting. Spring and fall are generally considered the prime seasons for bass and crappie, while trout fishing is excellent in the cooler months. Regardless of the season, Tennessee's diverse fishing locations ensure that anglers can enjoy a memorable and rewarding fishing experience throughout the year.

There are many great places to fish in The The Volunteer State. Most lakes and rivers in the state have healthy populations of fish. Our focus here is on lakes, but there is also excellent fishing in major rivers, especially below dams on the Cumberland and Tennessee River Systems.

Tennessee's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots

Several other lakes could qualify as top five, depending on criteria used. These five offer a wide variety of fish species with reputations for consistently good fishing. Learn more...

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The Most Popular Fish Species In Tennessee

The abundance of crappie in the state, combined with ease of catching, make it the most popular species in the state. Walleye thrive in many of the states' water systems and make great table fare. Largemouth, spotted and striped bass are abundant across the state and provide excellent fishing opportunities. The river systems, and most lakes, offer quality catfish fishing for both size and numbers. Learn more...

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Top Crappie Fishing Lakes in Tennessee

Both white and black crappie grow to large sizes across the state. The state record for both is over five pounds. Year to year, many other lakes might be considered for top three. The good news is that there is plenty of excellent crappie fishing state wide. Learn more...

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Best Walleye Fishing Lakes in Tennessee

Arguably the best eating of all the freshwater fish, walleye grow to bragging size in many of the state's fisheries. The state record walleye is over 25 pounds, and there are plenty of double-digit size walleye in numerous lakes in Tennessee. Learn more...

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Top Places To Fish For Striped Bass in Tennessee

The Caney Fork River and The Clinch River are prime fisheries for stripers, especially in tailwaters below dams. Learn more...

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The Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Tennessee

If you enjoy bass fishing, you'll love fishing in this state. We picked these three for their long-standing reputations as premier bass fisheries. Several other lakes could make the list as fishing fluctuates year to year. Quantity and quality bass fishing is available at many lakes in TN. Learn more...

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Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish in Tennessee

The Cumberland River and the Mississippi River, along with other rivers and lakes can all turn out big cats. The state offers good fishing for flathead, blue, white and channel catfish. It's hard to find a fishery in the state that doesn't offer one or more species. Learn more...

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Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in Tennessee