Head Out This Fall For Some 'Cool' Tennesee Fishing

As summer and its steamy temperatures wane, you might think you’re finished with boating until the spring. Not so: Although it might be a wee too chilly for water skiing and tubing, the fall can be just as conducive to water fun as its hotter predecessor.

The trick is to stay warm and cozy as cooler breezes begin to blow—doing things in your boat, not out of it.

Fishing certainly fits that category. And as luck would have it, many of the same Eastern Tennessee boating spots you enjoyed in the summer are just as great for angling in the fall, especially for catching two of the region’s most popular gamefish, bass and crappie. The only difference may be where—many fish species migrate to shallower depths in lakes and streams during cooler weather.

So, keep your boat rigged and ready for a fall fishing adventure. Though before you head out, here’s a quick pro tip: Be sure you have a current fishing license and that you’re up to date on Tennessee’s fishing regulations. In addition to statewide rules, individual lakes may have additional restrictions concerning specific fish species. For more information about these and other regulations, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) online.

Now, on to the fun: Here are 4 great Tennessee fishing locations where you can put in your boat and cast out a line this fall.

Fort Loudoun Lake.  Located just outside of Knoxville (about 100 miles from Chattanooga), Fort Loudoun Lake is a large reservoir within the Tennessee River. The 14,600-acre lake boasts nearly 400 miles of shoreline, 40 feet at its deepest point.

The lake is famed for its bass fishing, but you can try your luck at several other species of gamefish, including crappy, bluegill, and walleye. With its ample shoreline and boating facilities, you can fish from the bank, off a dock, and, of course, from your boat.

South Holston Lake. Tennessee and Virginia share almost equal halves of this 7,580-acre reservoir lake fed by the South Holston River. It’s a popular summer destination for water skiers, tubers, and campers.
When cooler temperatures prevail, boaters will still find South Holston Lake attractive for its fishing. Like other waterways in the region, the lake is home to bass, bluegill, crappy, and walleye, as well as catfish and rainbow trout. Visit this page to learn more about South Holston Lake 

Watauga Reservoir. If you really want to get back to nature, consider Watauga Reservoir close to the North Carolina border. Fed by the Watauga River, the lake checks in at more than 6,000 acres with around 100 miles of shoreline.

A popular summer destination, the fun continues well into the fall with great fishing opportunities, including smallmouth bass, walleye, and trout. And, if you want to take a break from the boat (and catching all those fish!), the reservoir also hugs the Cherokee National Forest and a section of the Appalachian Trail—a camper’s and hiker’s dream.

Chickamauga Reservoir. If you call Chattanooga home and would like to fish close by, look no further than Chickamauga Reservoir. Located within the Tennessee River, this 36,200-acre reservoir (with more than 800 miles of shoreline) is less than 10 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga—the perfect day getaway.

The lower end of the reservoir nearest Chattanooga is ideally suited for fishing. The water is slower here with several side-channels (sloughs) that serve as havens for bass, bluegill, walleye, sauger, and catfish. And thanks to the TWRA stocking program, the Chickamauga Reservoir teems with gamefish all year round.

Fall fishing can offer rod-casters as much enjoyment as summertime water fun, but perhaps at a more relaxed pace. So, don’t stow your boat just yet—head out instead for some cool angling at one of Eastern Tennessee’s many fishing destinations.