Fishing Pickwick Lake
AKA: Pickwick Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Pickwick Lake, TN
Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Pickwick Lake is a well-known bass fishing lake, and home to many national bass tournaments. Thanks to great fisheries management by The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency the bass population is healthy with big numbers and sizes. Largemouth and spotted bass typically play a role in tournaments, but smallmouth bass do too. Smallies are a favorite of many locals at Pickwick Lake. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.
Crappie Fishing
Black and white crappie both reside in Pickwick Lake. They school together so when you find them you may catch both species. Black crappie generally produce the bigger "slabs". 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.
Blue Catfish Fishing
This year blue catfish are continuing to grow to monster sizes in Pickwick Lake. The state record blue catfish is over 120 pounds. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive 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.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, paddlefish and sauger at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee.
Pickwick Lake Fishing Video
A favorite for local and national bass tournaments, Pickwick Lake is a 43,000-acre lake on the southern border of Tennessee. Pickwick annually makes the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes in the USA. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are the featured species here. Current plays a major role in locating bass here. When there is current, look for fish out on the main lake. In times of no current the fish move into the coves. When the fish are shallow, areas with vegetation can be very productive.
Pickwick Lake, located in southwestern Tennessee, is a renowned fishing destination that offers anglers exceptional opportunities to reel in a variety of fish species. This expansive 43,100-acre reservoir, formed by the Tennessee River, provides excellent fishing, boating, and camping experiences.
Pickwick Lake is widely known for its outstanding bass fishing. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass are abundant in the lake and attract anglers from all over. The lake's structure, including submerged vegetation, ledges, and rocky points, provides ideal habitats for these sought-after game fish. Anglers can employ various techniques such as flipping, topwater fishing, and crankbaits to entice the bass. The lake's healthy bass population, combined with the potential for trophy-sized catches, makes it a popular destination for both recreational and tournament anglers.
In addition to bass, Pickwick Lake supports other popular fish species. Crappie fishing is excellent, with both black and white crappie offering anglers ample opportunities to fill their stringers. Anglers can find success near submerged structures, such as brush piles and docks, where crappie tend to gather. The lake is also home to catfish, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Anglers can target catfish using various methods such as bottom fishing with cut bait or live bait.
Pickwick Lake's combination of excellent fishing, boating opportunities, and camping facilities make it a highly sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee. Whether you're targeting bass, crappie, or catfish, enjoying a leisurely boat ride, or camping by the lakeside, Pickwick Lake offers a serene and enjoyable environment for all who visit.
In addition to bass, the lake contains significant numbers of crappie, catfish, walleye, sauger, striped bass, white bass, sunfish and other species. There are several marinas on the lake and plenty of places to launch pleasure and fishing boats. Kayaks and canoes can be launched from numerous places around the lake.
Primary fish species residing in Pickwick Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Pickwick Lake Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boating on Pickwick Lake is a favorite activity for visitors, thanks to its expansive waters and multiple marinas. Anglers and boating enthusiasts can launch their boats from public ramps and enjoy cruising the vast lake, exploring its numerous bays, channels, and secluded coves. Boaters can engage in water sports activities, leisurely sightseeing, or simply relax while taking in the scenic beauty of the lake's shoreline and surrounding hills.
Fishing Boat Rentals
Pickwick State Park Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoons
731 689-5175
Marinas
Pickwick State Park Marina
State Park Rd
Counce, TN 38326
731 689-5175
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Pickwick Landing State Park Boat Ramp
Located in the park, at the south end of the Pickwick Dam, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Fishing Guides On Pickwick Lake
Pickwick Premier Bass Guide - largemouth bass, smallmouth bass
Ledge Life Guide Service - bass
Roger Stegall - Professional Guide Service - bass
Jason Lambert Fishing Guide Service - largemouth, smallmouth
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 around Pickwick Lake provide visitors with the opportunity to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. The lake boasts numerous campgrounds, many of which offer amenities such as campsites, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Camping near Pickwick Lake allows anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to make the most of their fishing adventures and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the lake and its picturesque setting.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Pickwick Landing Campground - 731 689-3129
Goat Island RV Park & Campground - 662 423-1104
Hart's RV Park - 256 768-1555
Colbert County Rose Trail Park Campground - 256 360-2764
Buzzard Roost Campground - 256 810-2856
Tuscumbia RV Park Campground - 866 930-7275
Pickwick Lake, TN Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Pickwick Lake
Pickwick Landing State Park
116 State Park Rd
Counce, TN 38326
731 689-3129
Fishing lakes in each state.
061824
Pickwick Lake in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE
Notable largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fishing in southern TN.
