FISHING IN TENNESSEE

Tennessee fishing offers many opportunities to catch the fish of your dreams. From giant stripers, to huge bass, boatloads of big crappie and huge walleyes...to monster catfish. Tennessee sports a million surface acres of water for all your fishing interests. Big lakes, small ponds, streams, creeks and rivers are scattered throughout the state.



FIND FISHING SPOTS NEAR YOU






TOP FISHING SPOTS IN TENNESSEE

KENTUCKY LAKE

More than 100 species of fish — plus campgrounds, hiking trails and ball fields.

LAKE GRAHAM

The Lake features boat launching ramps, fish attractors, a family fishing pier, bait & tackle shop, as well as boat rentals.

WILLIAMSPORT LAKES

Williamsport offers four lakes each with its own unique characteristics. A tackle shop with boat rentals is a great place to solicit fishing advice.


GET A TENNESSEE FISHING LICENSE




COMMON CATCHES IN TENNESSEE



LARGEMOUTH BASS

LARGEMOUTH BASS

FIND WHERE TO CATCH


The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6.5 foot medium or medium-heavy action graphite spinning rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 8-pound test monofilament fishing line
Lure Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Frog & Toad Fishing Baits, Soft Plastic Baits, Topwater Fishing Baits


BLUEGILL

BLUEGILL

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

Today the bluegill is one of the most popular panfish species in North America.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 4-or-5 weight fly rod (most effective) or ultra-light spinning rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 3-4 pound test monofilament fishing line
Lure Small Worms, Crickets, Grasshoppers, Hotdog, Doughballs, Small Spinnerbaits like Beetlespins or Tiny jigs


REDEAR SUNFISH

REDEAR SUNFISH

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

Like the bluegill and other sunfishes, the redear sunfish is and excellent panfish with white, flaky meat.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 4-or-5 weight fly rod (most effective) or ultra-light spinning rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 3-4 pound-test monofilament fishing line
Lure Small Worms, Crickets, Grasshoppers, Hotdog, Doughballs, Small Spinnerbaits like Beetlespins or Tiny jigs


SPOTTED BASS

SPOTTED BASS

FIND WHERE TO CATCH


Many anglers who catch a spotted bass believe they have caught a largemouth bass.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6-foot light-medium fast-action spinning rod
Reel Light to medium spinning reel
Line 4-10 pound test line
Lure Shad, Crayfish, Worms, Hard Plastic Diving Plug mimicking a Shad or similar fish


SMALLMOUTH BASS

SMALLMOUTH BASS

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

There is no doubt that the smallmouth bass rivals the largemouth in popularity.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6-7.5 foot rod built for light line
Reel Spinning reel
Line 8-pound test monofilament fishing line
Lure Jerkbaits, Crankbaits, Jigs, Spinnerbait, Hook and a Worm (the best)


BLACK CRAPPIE

BLACK CRAPPIE

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

Crappies are members of the sunfish and the black bass family.

GEAR TO USE
Rod Ultralight spinning or spincast combos
Reel Spinning reel
Line 4-10 pound test monofilament fishing line
Lure Fishing Hooks, Jigs (various colors and weights), Spoons, Mini-Crankbaits (use bobbers or floats as well)

TYPES OF FISHING IN TENNESSEE



lakes and ponds

LAKES & PONDS

Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.



streams and rivers

STREAMS & RIVERS

River & stream fishing means knowing where the water is moving, and how fish behave in it.



FLY FISHING

FLY FISHING

Fly fishing is fun, relaxing and easy to learn.

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