Fishing Melton Hill Lake

AKA: Melton Hill Reservoir

Most Popular Fish
Melton Hill Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Melton Hill Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Melton Hill Lake, TN

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Melton Hill Lake, with black crappie typically out-weighing white crappie. They do school together so when you find them you may catch both species. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Muskie Fishing

Fishing for Muskellunge in Melton Hill Lake could provide a trophy fish on any given cast. In fact, this lake holds the state record musky, at over 43 pounds. Thanks to good fishery management by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, giant musky roam these waters. Musky are extremely aggressive eaters. Muskie fishing can bring some exciting moments to your fishing day, as big muskies are spectacular, and strong fighters. Use a strong rod in medium- to medium-heavy action, with heavy line - 20# or heavier. Because of their sharp teeth, steel leaders are highly recommended. Muskie have a big mouth so use big baits, same baits you would use for bass but in larger sizes. Topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work well for hungry muskie. The best time of year to chase these big fish is Spring, and then again in Fall as the water temperature starts cooling.

Melton Hill Lake Popular Fish - Striped Bass

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Melton Hill Lake. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, muskie, paddlefish and sauger at Melton Hill Lake in Tennessee.

Melton Hill Lake Fishing Video

Located in the northeast part of the state, Melton Hill Lake is a 5,700-acre reservoir, 4 miles southeast of Oak Ridge, TN. Musky, striped bass and crappie are the predominant angler favorites here, but the lake also has plenty of bass, catfish, walleye, sauger, sunfish, white bass and other species. With over 170 miles of shoreline there is plenty of places to wet a line - from shore or from a boat.

Melton Hill Lake, located in eastern Tennessee, offers anglers a diverse fishing experience and opportunities for boating and camping. This 5,700-acre reservoir, formed by the Clinch River, provides a range of fish species, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.

Melton Hill Lake is known for its excellent bass fishing. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the primary targets for anglers, and the lake's structure, including submerged brush piles, rocky points, and boat docks, provides ideal habitats for these species. Anglers can employ various techniques such as casting with soft plastics, crankbaits, and jigs to entice the bass. The lake's healthy bass population ensures ample opportunities for anglers to catch their fair share of fish.

In addition to bass, Melton Hill Lake supports populations of other popular fish species. Crappie fishing is productive, with both black and white crappie available for anglers to target. Anglers can find success by fishing around submerged structures and using minnows or jigs as bait. The lake is also home to catfish, including channel catfish and blue catfish, which can be targeted using a variety of methods such as bottom fishing with cut bait or live bait. Other species found in the lake include sauger, walleye, and sunfish, providing anglers with additional fishing options.

Warm water discharged at the Bull Run Steam Plant keeps this area warm throughout the year, extending the growing season for many species and making this a very popular place to fish. Multiple boat ramps make it convenient to launch bass boats, fishing boats and pleasure boats. Kayaks and canoes can be launched from many locations around the lake.

Melton Hill Lake's combination of excellent fishing, boating opportunities, and camping facilities make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee. Whether you're targeting bass, crappie, or catfish, enjoying a leisurely boat ride, or camping by the lakeside, Melton Hill Lake offers a serene and enjoyable environment for all who visit.

Primary fish species residing in Melton Hill Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Melton Hill Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating is a favored activity on Melton Hill Lake, thanks to its calm waters and scenic surroundings. Anglers and boating enthusiasts can launch their boats from public ramps and explore the lake's various coves, channels, and open waters. Boaters can enjoy leisurely cruises, water sports activities, and the opportunity to take in the beautiful views of the surrounding rolling hills and forests.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bull Run Park Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, at the south end of the Henderson Road Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Eagle Bend Public Access Area
This is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. It is located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Mountain View Road.

Gibbs Ferry Park Landing
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with limited, paved parking. It is located in the northwest section of the lake, west side, off Oak Ridge Highway.

Guinn Road Park Boat Ramp
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. It is located mid lake, south side of the lake, off Guinn Road.

Lost Bottom Boat Launch
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Ridgeview Drive, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Melton Hill Park Boat Ramp
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking. It is located mid lake, south side of the lake, off William Bend Road.

Solway Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the west side of the lake, off Edgemoor Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Clark Center Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Bull Bluff Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Fishing Guides On Melton Hill Lake

Melton Hill Musky Fishing Guide - musky

If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.

Fishing License

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.

Camping facilities near Melton Hill Lake provide visitors with the chance to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. Campgrounds offer amenities such as campsites, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Camping near Melton Hill Lake allows anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the lake and its surrounding natural scenery.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

TVA Melton Hill Campground - 800 882-5263

Melton Hill Dam Campground - 865 361-0436