Here is the latest fishing report from the TWRA:
Center Hill Reservoir: Reservoir Conditions: Current water elevation is 637.3. The water surface temperature has been between 42 to 44 degrees depending on area of lake. Overall fishing has been fair and will get better has days begin to warm up.
Largemouth Bass: Some nice largemouth are being caught on the TN-Rig and jerkbaits.
Smallmouth Bass: Some reports of smallmouth being caught on the lower end of the reservoir.
Spotted Bass: Some nice spotted bass are being caught in the mid lake area of the reservoir using jigs with grubs, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits on rocky points on main lake.
Crappie: Crappie are still deep this time of year. Look for structure in back of sloughs that might be holding shad.
Walleye: No reports of walleye at this time. Walleye will begin making their spawning run upstream in the next week or two. Fishing should be great.
Chickamauga Reservoir: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 678.9 feet.
The water surface temperature is 44 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Some big fish are being caught. The “Tennessee Rig” is the bait that many anglers are using. Jerkbaits and jigs are the other lures that are being used most often. Drops and flats near the main channel are popular locations. 5 to 20 feet is the depth anglers are fishing.
Smallmouth Bass: Bluff walls downstream and the river banks upstream near the dam are locations where the greater numbers of smallmouth are caught. The “Rig”, jigs and crankbaits are being used.
Crappie: Bluffwalls, drops, and brush in areas closer to the bigger water are target locations that are being probed with jigs and/or minnows. 10 to 25 feet of water is the area to target.
Striped bass: Rigs being used by bass anglers are catching just a few on the main lake.
Bluegill: Several fish are being caught by those targeting crappie.
Catfish: Shad, chicken parts, wieners, and a few other meaty baits are being used in the main channel near the bottom to catch fish. The bigger baits sometimes catch the larger fish. Some big fish have been recently caught.
Dale Hollow Reservoir: Reservoir Conditions: Current water elevation is 648.8. The water surface temperature has been averaging between 42 to 45 degrees. Due to all the snow and rain events, the water is muddy with lots of trees floating downriver. Be careful. Overall fishing has been fair and will get better as the water warms up.
Largemouth Bass: Fishing was slow. Anglers were fishing with the TN-Rig, jerkbaits and tailspinners.
Smallmouth Bass: Several being caught on the lower end of the reservoir. Fishermen are using tailspinners fishing points in about 30 feet of water.
Crappie: Some crappie are being caught in laydowns using minnows. Crappie are still deep this time of year.
Walleye: No reports at this time on walleye. Walleye will begin making their spawning run upstream in the next week or two. Fishing should be great.
Watts Bar: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet. Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 738.0 feet. The water surface temperature is 43 degrees.
Largemouth Bass: Bass fishing is better now than it was last week. A few more fish are being caught. The “Tennessee Rig” is by far the most popular bait. The areas near the main lake are more popular. Most fish are being caught 10 to 15 feet deep.
Smallmouth Bass: Most fish are being caught along the steeper banks while using the Float-N-Fly. 8 to 10 feet is the best depth to target.
Crappie: Minnows are being used by those with the greatest success ratio in water depths up to 30 feet.
Catfish: Meaty baits used along the river bottom during times when the river is flowing is resulting in numerous fish being caught with some large fish in the mix.
Striped bass: Bass anglers using the “Rig” are occasionally hooking up with a big striper. This is occurring in the mid lake most often.