Watts Bar Lake
A 72-mile-long TVA lake on the Tennessee River between Knoxville and Chattanooga, with big arms up the Clinch and Emory rivers. It is known for quality largemouth bass, spring crappie, and striped bass in the tailwaters and around Kingston.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Spawn runs March to May. In summer fish deep points and channel breaks, often at night; in fall work creek backs and grass edges.
Crappie
Best in March and April. Troll or spider-rig creek backs early, then fish jigs and minnows around brush, laydowns and docks.
Striped Bass
Live shad on planer boards in the Ft. Loudoun and Melton Hill tailwaters and near Kingston in spring and summer. In fall try Rockwood and White's Creek in 10 to 20 ft.
Blue Catfish
The most harvested catfish here. Drift cut bait in spring; good all year.
Smallmouth Bass
Mid to lower lake and the Ft. Loudoun tailwater. Rocky points and flats in spring, humps and ledges after the spawn.
White Bass
Spring run up to the Ft. Loudoun and Melton Hill tailwaters from March. Watch for evening surface jumps mid-lake in late spring and summer.
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 | ||||||||||||
| Striped Bass | ||||||||||||
| Blue Catfish |
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Watts Bar DamPublicPublic ramp at the dam on the lower lake (TWRA access list)Directions ↗
- FoosheePublicPublic ramp, Fooshee Pass recreation area on TVA landDirections ↗
- Riley CreekPublicPublic ramp near Kingston (TWRA access list)Directions ↗
- Caney CreekPublicPublic ramp near Harriman (TWRA access list)Directions ↗
- Spring City Boat DockPublicPublic ramp and dock on the Piney River armDirections ↗
- Rhea SpringsPublicPublic ramp on the Piney arm (TWRA access list)Directions ↗
- Tom Fuller ParkPublicPublic ramp on the Emory arm (TWRA access list)Directions ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass (Apr 1-Oct 31) Combined with hybrids | 15 in | 2 / day |
| Striped Bass (Nov 1-Mar 31) 2 / day combined with hybrids, only 1 striper | 36 in | 1 / day |
| Hybrid Striped Bass Combined with stripers | 15 in | 2 / day |
| Paddlefish May 1-15 only; Emory River closed below Hwy 299 bridge | See Tennessee rules book ↗ | 1 / day |
| All species (Emory River) Jan 1-Apr 30, Hwy 27 to Hwy 299 bridges: one single-point hook per lure, max 3 rods | See Tennessee rules book ↗ | See Tennessee rules book ↗ |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Jerry's Bait ShopNearby815 S. Gateway Ave, Rockwood(865) 354-1225Directions ↗
- Caney Creek Bait & TackleNearby3081 Roane State Hwy, Harriman(865) 285-9698Directions ↗
Local tips
- TVA draws the lake down about 5 to 6 ft in winter and fills it in spring, so check levels before launching at shallow ramps.
- Tennessee has fish consumption advisories on parts of Watts Bar for PCBs; check the state advisory before keeping fish.
- In winter follow shad schools on the lower lake; after a warm rain, check shallow areas for active fish.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Watts Bar Lake.