Fishing Report From The TWRA

  • Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Here is the fishing report from the TWRA:

Center Hill:  Fishing is good. Water temperature is 79; lake is stable.

Bass:
  A few bass are being caught on topwater rigs and Carolina rigs on main points.
Crappie:  A few crappie are being caught on minnows around sunken brush in 10 feet of water.
Walleye: A few are being caught  near Pates Ford while trolling in 17-20 feet of water.
Bluegill:  Lots of bluegill are being caught on nightcrawlers on gravel banks in 10 feet of water.

Chickamauga Reservoir: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet.  Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet.  Current elevation: 682.7 feet.

The water surface temperature is 62 degrees early warming to 72 degrees during the warm hours.

Largemouth Bass: Most anglers are catching just a few fish. Plastic worms, topwater baits and spinnerbaits are the top lures. Fish shallow or waters near shallow water.
Smallmouth Bass: Just a few fish are being caught. Crank baits on the extreme upper reservoir will offer the better opportunity.
Crappie: Some fish are moving to the river. Most are in the brush located in the creeks and sloughs in 8 to 12 feet of water.
Catfish: Drifters are catching many. Most are small. Chicken parts are popular.

Dale Hollow:  Fishing is fair. Water temperature is 76; lake is falling.
Bass:  Bass are being caught on swimbaits on flats in 10 feet of water.
Bluegill and shellcrackers:  Lots of bluegill and shellcrackers are being caught on crickets and nightcrawlers in 5-10 feet of water.
Catfish:  Lots of catfish are being caught on trotlines and jugs while fishing cut baits 10 feet deep.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling crankbaits in 17 feet of water on main lake banks.

Watts Bar:  Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet.  Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet.  Current elevation: 740.5 feet. The water surface temperature is 67 degrees early warming to 78 degrees later in the day.

Largemouth Bass:
Many bass are bedding. Look for shallow bass in various spawning stages. Creature lures are popular.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are at the end of the spawning process. Plastic lures are the best choice. 
Walleye: Just a few are being caught by those searching for other species.
Crappie: 8 to 12 feet of water in combination with jigs or minnows will offer the best opportunity for having a good trip. Transitional water in between the deep and shallow areas will be the best areas.
Catfish: Drifters are catching fish in the main channel on an assortment of meaty baits.
Striped bass: Tailwater anglers are catching plenty of fish while using shad or the “Tennessee Rig”.
Striped bass: The opportunities are growing in the upper reservoir. Some fish are being caught while using shad or jigs.
Bluegill: Shallow sloughs are being visited by anglers looking for bedding bluegill and shellcrackers. The reports are positive for bluegill and nearly the same for shellcrackers. Small jigs, worms or crickets are being used for bait.

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