Here is the latest TWRA fishing report:
Center Hill: Fishing is great. Water temperature is 67 degrees. Lake is fairly stable. Lots of bass are being caught on topwater lures and swimbaits in 2-10 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good, while fishing shallow cover with minnows in the creeks. A few walleye are being caught above Pates Ford while trolling in 10 feet of water.
Chickamauga: The lake was at winter level on 3/26/12. The surface water temperature is in the 60's in most areas. Crappie and bass can be caught on the river, in the sloughs, and in the areas that connect both. Some fish are spawning. Both species will have fish moving in and out to spawn for the next month or longer. Lipless lures, jigs, and spinnerbaits are the primary lures being used for bass. Jigs and/or minnows are being used for crappie. Trollers are catching the greater number of fish and minnow dippers are catching on average heavier fish. White crappie are dominating the shallows with more and more black crappie moving into the shallows. Some bluegill are bedding. These fish will bed all summer long. Worms are being used to catch bluegill. White bass are being caught in the tailwaters of Watts Bar Dam. Jigs are as good of a lure as any for striped bass. Big cats are being caught shallow in the sloughs and deep in the river.
Cordell Hull: Fishing is great. Water temperature is 65 degrees in the creeks. Lake is low. Lots of sauger are being caught near Gainesboro while trolling 28-30 feet of water. Bass fishing is good in the creeks while fishing spinnerbaits and floating worms around shallow cover. Crappie fishing is good while fishing minnows and small jigs around laydown trees in 5 feet of water.
Dale Hollow: Fishing is great. Water temperature is 65 degrees; lake is slowly falling. Lots of bass are being caught on floating worms, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits, while fishing gravel banks in 2-8 feet of water. Walleye fishing is fair above Sunset, while trolling in 10-15 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good while fishing willow bushes with minnows in 2-5 feet of water.
Nickajack: The area of the report is in the area called Chickamauga Tailwaters or the "Riverpark". Fishing for most anglers has been good. One boat reported they had the best day for big fish on that particular day that they had ever enjoyed even though their fishing history was 28 years. That catch included spotted bass, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. Their big fish weighed 7 lbs. Bluegill, catfish, white bass, crappie, and striped bass have been the species targeted and caught by anglers. Worms, minnows, jigs, shad, spoons and crankbaits have been used for bait depending on the species being targeted.
Watts Bar: Surface water temperature is in the 60's. The lake is at winter level. Crappie are being caught deep, shallow and in between. Most deep crappie being caught are in the creeks in waters adjacent to the shallow spawning areas. Many anglers start deep and work their way into the shallows. Minnows fished straight down rigged with size 1 hooks and 1/2 ounce sinkers will entice even the more finicky fish. Those less patient anglers troll in the same areas with an array of rods spread out with many different color jigs. A lot of catfish are being caught by those targeting crappie. White bass are being caught in the upper section of the lake. Crankbaits and jigs are the better lures. Bass are being caught shallow and deep. Most deep bass are in areas adjacent to shallow water. Jigs, lipless lures, and spinnerbaits are the primary lures selected by most anglers. Some anglers have suggested the spawn is on. That has not been verified. Catfish are also being caught by river drifters while using live bait.