HEREKnoxville
Knoxville
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TWRA regulations, and community fishing coverage for Knox County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 5 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌑
New Moon
Illumination: 97%
73°F
81°F
6 mph
1013
as of 2:35 PM ET
Excellent — new moon triggers peak feeding activity. Fish are most aggressive near dawn and dusk.
Knox County • East Tennessee TN
Your Local Fishing Resource
HEREKnoxville is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and TWRA regulations across Knox County. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Knoxville Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
ACTIVE
Summer pattern — fish deep structure early and late. Frog fishing on lily pads productive at dawn.
Top BaitFinesse Jig, Drop Shot
Depth15-25 ft midday
Smallmouth Bass
ACTIVE
Smallmouth active on shoals. Work crawfish patterns on rocky bottom.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
HOT
Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
ACTIVE
Bream feeding actively. Work dock edges and shallow vegetation with small jigs or live bait.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
SLOW
No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check <?php echo here_dnr(); ?> for next stocking dates.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Knox County waters. Always verify TWRA regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
73F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 74°F
as of 2:35 PM ET
Wind
6 mph SW
Humidity
78%
Pressure
1013 hPa
Est. Water Temp
81°F
Moon
New Moon
Sunrise / Sunset
10:50 am / 12:30 am
Location
Knoxville, TN
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
- New and full moons are the best fishing phases. Solunar peak periods fall near sunrise and sunset — be on the water at first light.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
73°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
6 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1013 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌑
Prime
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
91° / 73°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
THU
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
92° / 75°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
FRI
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
94° / 76°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SAT
Mostly Sunny
95° / 75°
0 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SUN
Mostly Sunny
96° / 76°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
5 fishing waters within Knox County — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Fort Loudoun Lake
reservoir
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Catfish
Bluegill
Angler Tip
Tennessee River (Knoxville reach)
river
Catfish
Bass
Sauger
Angler Tip
Melton Hill Lake
reservoir
Striped Bass
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Angler Tip
Norris Lake
reservoir
Striped Bass
Walleye
Smallmouth Bass
Angler Tip
Douglas Lake
reservoir
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Bluegill
Catfish
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Knoxville-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Knoxville. Expert captains who know Knox County waters.
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Knox County and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
I Fished Here
Tellico Lake
Anchored over a brush pile in Tellico near the Highway 411 bridge and had a solid walleye bite right at dusk using a live nightcrawler on a slip sinker rig. Landed three keepers, biggest around 22 inches. Tellico's walleye run doesn't get talked about enough outside of local circles.
Species: Walleye
Lure/Bait: Live nightcrawler on slip sinker rig
Best Spot: Brush pile near Highway 411 bridge
Melton Hill Lake
Ran a lipless crankbait over submerged grass on Melton Hill and caught largemouth steadily through the morning, best one going about five pounds. Water clarity was excellent and the grass edges were holding a ton of bait. Underappreciated lake compared to its bigger neighbors.
Species: Largemouth Bass
Lure/Bait: Lipless crankbait, chrome/black back
Best Spot: Grass flats near the Highway 95 bridge
Fort Loudoun Lake
Fished docks and riprap on Fort Loudoun for crappie in the evening and had a steady bite on small jigs under lights after dark. Ended up with about 20 keepers, mostly in the 10 to 11 inch range. Close to downtown Knoxville and easy access from several public ramps.
Species: Black Crappie
Lure/Bait: 1/16 oz jig under a light, chartreuse
Best Spot: Dock lights near Concord Park
Little River
Waded the pocket water in Little River near Townsend and worked a size 14 parachute Adams through the riffles. Landed a handful of wild rainbows, none huge, but the setting inside the national park boundary is hard to beat. Classic Smoky Mountain freestone fishing.
Species: Rainbow Trout
Lure/Bait: Size 14 parachute Adams dry fly
Best Spot: Pocket water near Townsend entrance
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Knoxville anglers.
Punched a creature bait through the grass mats off Rarity Point for the Saturday club tournament. Five keepers by 10 a.m. for a solid 19-pound bag. Tellico's grass fishery has quietly become one of the best largemouth lakes in East Tennessee. Cashed the check and bought the crew lunch.
Largemouth Bass Tournament limit, 19.2 lb
Waded the pocket water above Townsend with a size 14 Pheasant Tail drifted through the seam behind a boulder. The take came right as the fly swung, a hard strike in the fast current. Little River trout fight above their weight in that whitewater. Released her back into the current after a quick photo.
Rainbow Trout 17-inch rainbow
Anchored on a brush pile off Concord Park in fourteen feet of water with minnows under a slip cork. The slabs stacked up thick and it was steady action for two hours straight. Twenty keepers in the cooler with a chunky pound-and-three-quarters on top. Fort Loudoun crappie fishing stays criminally underrated.
Crappie 20 fish, biggest 1.7 lb
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Weighed in the tournament bag off Tellico and drove to Elst Brewing in Bearden. Hazy IPA on the patio, the win still fresh, the grass-mat bite replayed for the third time. Bearden's brewery scene is the perfect landing spot after a Tellico Saturday.
Elst Brewing Company — Hazy IPA
Waded out of the Little River near Townsend and drove into South Knoxville for Alliance Brewing. Session IPA on the industrial patio, waders still hanging off the truck outside. East Tennessee trout water deserves a laid-back beer like this.
Alliance Brewing Company — Session IPA
Pulled off the Fort Loudoun ramp near Concord Park and drove to Schulz Bräu on Sutherland. Cold Kolsch on the biergarten patio, German beer hall feel right in Knoxville. A crappie cooler and a proper biergarten make for a good Tuesday.
Schulz Bräu Brewing Company — Kolsch
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Knoxville and East Tennessee
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Local
Knoxville Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and East Tennessee fishing coverage from the HEREKnoxville newsroom.
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
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National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Knoxville perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Knoxville and East Tennessee TN
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Knoxville angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for East Tennessee TN waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for East Tennessee TN Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingTennessee DNR
TWRA Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Knox County waters. Always verify current regulations at www.tn.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Knoxville Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Knoxville Waters
- Municipal Lakes: Boating permits may be required from Knoxville Water. Gas motor HP restrictions may apply — check current municipal-water rules before launching.
- Select-Lake Rules: Some lakes enforce larger minimum sizes for black bass or combined daily limits. Verify closures with TWRA before fishing.
- Electric-Only Lakes: Some state-park and municipal lakes prohibit gasoline engines and enforce reduced creel limits. Verify with TWRA.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers: Statewide creel limits typically apply. Boating permits generally not required. TWRA fishing license required for anglers 16+.
Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at www.tn.gov or by calling the TWRA Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Knoxville Water) may be set separately from TWRA.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Bridge and dock pilings are prime staging areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Docks and brush piles are top targets.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near boat ramps and fishing piers.
May (TWRA)
Spring Trout Stocking
TWRA stocks select Knoxville area waters. Check stocking schedule at https://www.tn.gov/twra.
May 25, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Memorial Weekend
No TN fishing license required. All public waters. Great day to introduce new anglers.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on major lakes and rivers.
July 4, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Independence Day
No TN fishing license required. All public waters. July 4 Family Fishing Day.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Knoxville lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Main-lake points hold fish.
Nov (TWRA)
Fall Trout Stocking
TWRA fall trout stocking program. Check https://www.tn.gov/twra for Knox County schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HEREKnoxville for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Knox County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. TWRA trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit www.tn.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Knoxville area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a TN fishing license to fish public waters in Knox County. TN residents get a resident license; non-residents pay a higher fee. Licenses are available at www.tn.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Knox County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult TWRA for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream. Municipal lakes may require a boating permit from Knoxville Water — check locally before launching.
-
The best crappie fishing in Knox County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Knoxville lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult TWRA for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Knoxville typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult TWRA for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
TWRA stocks select Knox County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the TWRA website at https://www.tn.gov/twra — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current TWRA schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Knoxville.
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