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
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
| 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
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
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
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
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) |
| 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) |
LAKES & PONDS
Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.
STREAMS & RIVERS
River & stream fishing means knowing where the water is moving, and how fish behave in it.
