Fishing Report From TWRA

Wednesday, May 30, 2012


Here is the TWRA fishing report for May 30:


Center Hill:  Fishing is fair.  Water temperature is 84 degrees; lake is stable. A few bass are being caught early in a.m. and late p.m.,  while fishing topwater baits near shad.  A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers rigs on gravel banks in 15 feet of water.  Bluegill fishing is fair while using crickets on gravel banks in 5-to-10 feet of water.

Chickamauga: The lake is full and stable. The surface water temperature is in the 80's.  Bass fishing is as good as it gets if they can be located. Several patterns can be employed to catch bass. Many heavyweights have been caught. Large water ledges especially on the lower end are holding bass. Secondary creek banks that separate the spawning areas from the main lake water is another location that bass are being caught. Secondary points are also being targeted by those in search of largemouth. Various creature lures, crankbaits, and jigs are being used by most anglers. Bluegill and some shellcrackers are being caught shallow while using jigs, redworms, and waxworms.  Catfish are being caught while drifting the main channel and secondary areas adjacent to the main lake water. Meaty baits of any source seem to entice the whiskered variety.  Striped bass congregate according to size most times. 20 pound fish and smaller are in the tailwaters below Watts Bar. Shad and umbrella rigs are the lures most anglers are using for bait. Crappie are being caught while pitching docks. Some deep secondary blowdowns and ledges are being targeted by those with the skills required for luring these fish. Minnows and jigs offer equal opportunities for enticing these fish.

Cordell Hull:  Fishing is slow.  Water temperature is 77 degrees.  A few bass are being caught on topwater baits and soft-plastics in 5 feet of water around stumps.  A few walleye are being caught near Celina while trolling 18-to-20 feet deep using crankbaits. 

Dale Hollow:  Fishing is fair. Water temperature is 83 degrees; lake is falling.  A few bass are being at night on jigs and spinnerbaits in 5-to-10 feet of water on rocky points.  Walleye fishing is slow with a few fish being caught while trolling in15 feet of water on rocky banks.  Bluegill fishing is fair while fishing nightcrawlers and crickets in 5-to-10 feet of water on the bluffs.   

Nickajack: The lake is stable with the exception or the daily fluctuation created by the pumped storage project. The surface water temperature is above 80. Bass are being caught near ledges and along shallow river flats. Several bass are being caught while using plastic worms, topwater lures and crankbaits. Catfish are plentiful and they are being caught by drifters and other anglers targeting main lake areas while using shad, worms, and other meaty presentations. Some anglers are coming here from far off to spend a week catching catfish. Many crappie are being caught in the Riverpark area of the lake in the calm water. Most are small. Jigs are being used for these crappie.  Some anglers are catching crappie downstream in the lake around grass and ledges while using jigs or minnows. Some bass are being caught in the Riverpark area with the greater number being spotted bass. Live bait is popular in the tailwaters. Some white and striped bass are being caught in the same area.

Watts Bar: The lake is at summer level. The elevation is slightly lower than earlier in the week. The water temperature is in the low 80's. Striped bass are being caught in the upper arms of the lake, especially in the tailwaters. Shad and umbrella rigs are being used for bait by the more successful anglers. White bass are being caught in the same areas while using jigs or minnows. Catfish are being caught in most areas of the lake while drifting main lake areas with the usual baits generally associated with catfish angling. Some catfish can be can be caught in large numbers adjacent to deep water along rock ledges. These catfish (mostly blues) can be caught on white jigs. Bluegill are being caught around docks. Some shellcrackers are being caught in shallow isolated waters. Most shellcrackers can be found in the first few miles of the Clinch River. Bass are being caught along secondary and primary points and ledges. Worms rigged various ways, crankbaits, and jigs are the primary weapons being used to lure these bass. Some anglers are catching large numbers of fish with a few bonus fish showing up in the creel. Crappie are being caught at night around lights in deep secondary locations while using minnows. Some days, crappie are being caught while pitching piers and tightlining submerged brush. Jigs are being used to catch these elusive fish.




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