Chickamauga Lake

Hamilton, Meigs, Rhea, Bradley & McMinn Counties, Tennessee

Chickamauga Lake runs up the Tennessee River from Chattanooga toward Watts Bar Dam. It is known for trophy largemouth bass, including the state record, and for crappie.

Air temp in Birchwood, TN Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Chickamauga Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area36,200 acres

Max depth72 ft

Shoreline810 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●●

Florida-strain stocking has produced big fish, so try big swimbaits and jigs on grass and ledges.

Crappie●●●●○

Fish brush and stake beds in the creeks in spring.

Blue Catfish●●●○○

Deep channel edges. Fresh cut shad. Big fish in winter.

Sauger●●●○○

Try the Watts Bar Dam tailwater in late winter.

Walleye●●○○○

Stocking since 2014 has improved catches near Watts Bar Dam.

When they bite

Month-by-month activity for each target species.

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Blue Catfish
Sauger

SlowFairGoodHot

Boat launches

6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Harrison Bay State Park rampPublic
Tennessee State Parks, Harrison, Hamilton CountyDirections ↗
Chester Frost Park rampPublic
Hamilton County park on the west shore near HixsonDirections ↗
Sale Creek Recreation AreaPublic
Public ramp in north Hamilton CountyDirections ↗
Blythe Ferry rampPublic
Public ramp near the Hiwassee River mouth, Hamilton CountyDirections ↗
Pinhook Ferry rampPublic
Public ramp in Meigs County on the upper lakeDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Largemouth Bass Black bass 5 combined	15 in	5 / day combined
Smallmouth Bass Only 1 may be over 16 in per day	See Tennessee rules book ↗	5 / day combined
Crappie Combined	10 in	15 / day
Blue Catfish Only 1 over 34 in per day	See Tennessee rules book ↗	No limit
Sauger	15 in	10 / day
Walleye	16 in	5 / day

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Union Fork Bait & TackleNearby
12169 Old Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN(423) 332-4664 Directions ↗
Soddy Custom TackleNearby
11236 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN(423) 332-3401 Directions ↗
Jack's Bait & TackleNearby
4228 Bonny Oaks Dr, Chattanooga, TN(423) 698-8339 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Chickamauga Lake ↗

Local tips

Largemouth bass must be 15 inches to keep.
Crappie have a 10-inch minimum, so bring a ruler.
Harrison Bay State Park near Chattanooga has launches and shore access.

Angler reports

Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Chickamauga Lake.

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View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.