Fishing Nickajack Lake

AKA: Nickajack Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Nickajack Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
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Nickajack Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Nickajack Lake, TN

Nickajack Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Compared to other impoundments on the Tennessee River system, Nickajack Lake continues to deliver higher catch rates of largemouth bass. Results by locals, and many bass fishing tournaments, attest that fishing for largemouth bass has been as good as advertised. A significant number of large bass also roam these waters for the added bonus of a potential lunker. Thorough fisheries management by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. Generally speaking, when the bite is good bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive. Any time you find them shallow and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Nickajack Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Nickajack 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. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Nickajack Lake Popular Fish - Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Nickajack Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 120 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

Nickajack Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, paddlefish and sauger at Nickajack Reservoir in Tennessee.

Flowing through the Tennessee River Gorge, Nickajack Lake is a 10,370-acre reservoir in the southeast part of the state. The lake meanders through the city of Chattanooga, and has early 180 miles of shoreline. There's over a dozen places to launch pleasure boats, pontoon boats and fishing boats. There are plenty of places to fish, and plenty of fish to find - whether you fish from shore or from a boat, kayak or canoe. Bass, crappie, striped bass, catfish, walleye, sunfish, paddlefish, and other species reside in Nickajack Reservoir in healthy numbers.

Nickajack Lake is known for its outstanding bass fishing. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are the primary targets for anglers, and the lake's structure, including submerged brush, rock formations, and ledges, provides ideal habitats for these species. In addition to bass, Nickajack Lake supports other popular fish species. Crappie fishing is productive, with both black and white crappie offering anglers plenty of action. The lake is also home to channel catfish and blue catfish. Other species found in the lake include sauger, walleye, and sunfish.

Primary fish species residing in Nickajack Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Nickajack Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Hales Bar Marina & Resort
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 942-9000

Marinas

Hales Bar Marina & Resort
1265 Hales Bar Rd
Guild, TN 37340
423 942-9000

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bennett Lake Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off Bennett Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Boat Ramp, TVA Racoon Mountain Pump Station
Located in the western section of the lake, south side, off Racoon Mountain Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Hale's Bar Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, south side, off Hale Bar Road, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located just east of the dam, off Macedonia Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Shellmound Boat Ramp
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking. It is located in the northeast section of the lake, north side, off Highway 27.

Suck Creek Boat Launch
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. It is located in the northwest corner of the lake, just east of the dam.

Sullivan's Landing TWRA Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the east side of the lake, off Highway 41, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.