Here is the fishing report from the TWRA:
Center Hill: Fishing is good . Water temperature is 73 degrees; lake is rising. Lots of spotted bass are being caught while jigging spoons and drop shodding near shad in 30-to-40 feet of water. A few bass are also being caught while throwing topwater baits around schooling shad. Crappie fishing is fair with a few crappie being caught on minnows on sucken brush in 25 feet of water.
Cordell Hull: Fishing is fair.
Water temperature is 73 degrees;lake is stable. A few bass are being caught while throwing topwater baits and crankbaits on creek channel points. Crappie fishing is fair near Defeated Creek, while fishing sunken brush in 5 feet of water. A few walleye are being caught near Celina while trolling in the channel with deep running crankbaits.
Chickamauga: The surface water temperature was in the lower 70’s. The lake elevation on 10/07/12 was 1.5 feet higher than one might suspect for the season. It was lower than summer elevations. Bass anglers have not caught a lot of fish on average, however local tournaments recently held resulted in some heavy bags of fish. The topwater bite seems to be the best type of lure than can be used. Mid day bites seem to be deeper in the grass mats. Some T-rigged plastic worm or creature baits have been used with several fish falling for for these baits presented along the deeper grass edges. Catfish drifters have caught several fish while drifting the main channel and while using the typical offerings associated with catfish. Crappie have been caught while using minnows, jigs, and crankbaits around docks, bluffs and open water secondary areas. Bluegill have been caught nearly everywhere. In searching for bluegill, focus on rocky areas or shellbeds located in the river. Crickets, worms and small jigs have been the primary enticers. Striped bass tailwater action has been boiling hot on some days and nonexistent on other days. One day they broke below Ft. Loudon Dam and a topwater lure would get attacked on nearly every cast for a couple of hours.
Dale Hollow: Fishing is fair. Water temperature is 72 degrees; lake is slowly falling. A few bass are being caught while drop shodding on points in 20-to-30 feet of water. Crappie fishing is fair while fishing in the rivers with minnows around fallen trees in 20-to-25 feet of water. Several bluegill and shellcrackers are being caught with nightcrawlers in 20 feet of water.
Nickajack: The lake was at normal elevation. The dominate bass bite was occurring while tossing frogs into the matted grass beds. Catfish were being caught by river drifters while using the typical baits associated with catfish angling. Bluegill can be caught all over the lake. The hotspot seems to be in the area generally known as the “Riverpark”. Some bass have been caught in the same area while using live bait, jigs, and crankbaits. A few stripers have been caught in the same area. Live bait is the top bait for stripers. Some crappie can be caught in the tailwaters. Minnows and jigs are both top crappie enticers.
Watts Bar: The lake surface water temperature was in the lower 70’s on 10/07/12. The lake elevation on the same day of record was 740.9 feet. This elevation was considered normal. The number of anglers found on the lake has been lower than normal. Bass anglers have not located great numbers of fish. A few have and these anglers have caught several around shad in bays adjacent to the main lake. Some anglers have tried to establish patterns, but searching for the bait and fishing in close proximity seems to offer the greatest rewards. Crappie anglers have caught crappie around docks better than in other locations. Jigs have been the weapon used in most cases. Catfish drifters have caught several fish while drifting the main channel with the typical catfish baits. Striped bass have been caught in the tailwaters while using various lures, but the bite has been inconsistent.