HEREChattanooga
Chattanooga
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TWRA regulations, and community fishing coverage for Hamilton lakes and rivers.
Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 5 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌕
Full Moon
Illumination: 100%
79°F
87°F
0 mph
1015
as of 1:20 AM ET
Excellent — full moon is prime time for bass, crappie, and catfish. Night fishing is especially productive.
Hamilton • Southeast Tennessee TN
Your Local Fishing Resource
HEREChattanooga is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and TWRA regulations across Hamilton. 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 • Chattanooga 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 Hamilton 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
79F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 79°F
as of 1:20 AM ET
Wind
0 mph N
Humidity
65%
Pressure
1015 hPa
Est. Water Temp
87°F
Moon
Full Moon
Sunrise / Sunset
11:09 am / 12:16 am
Location
Chattanooga, TN
On-the-Water Tips
- 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
79°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
0 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1015 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌕
Prime
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
94° / 70°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
FRI
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
92° / 68°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SAT
Sunny
94° / 71°
0 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SUN
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
93° / 71°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
MON
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
94° / 73°
0 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
5 fishing waters within Hamilton — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Chickamauga Lake
water
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Crappie
Catfish
Walleye
Striped bass
Angler Tip
Tennessee River (downtown reach)
river
Catfish
Striped bass
Drum
Largemouth bass
Angler Tip
Nickajack Lake
water
Largemouth bass
Catfish
Crappie
Drum
Angler Tip
Tellico River
12+ miles of stocked trout water
Cherokee National Forest trout stream
rainbow trout
brown trout
brook trout
One of the Southeast's premier stocked trout streams, running through the Cherokee National Forest with delayed-harvest and general trout-fishing sections.
Paralleled by Tellico River Rd (FS Road 210) out of Tellico Plains, TN, with numerous pull-off access points
Angler Tip
Delayed-harvest sections near the upper river offer artificial-lure-only, catch-and-release fishing in cooler months.
Hiwassee River
water
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Smallmouth bass
Redeye bass
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Chattanooga-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
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Field Guides
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I Fished Here
South Chickamauga Creek
Kayaked a stretch of South Chickamauga Creek near the greenway and caught redbreast and a few smallmouth on small crankbaits worked through the shoals. Surprisingly good fishing this close to downtown Chattanooga, and the creek stays cool under the tree canopy even in July heat.
Species: Redbreast Sunfish & Smallmouth Bass
Lure/Bait: Small shallow crankbait, craw pattern
Best Spot: Shoals near the greenway access point
Tellico River
Hiked into a stocked stretch of the Tellico River in the national forest and caught a good mix of rainbows and browns on small spinners through the pools. Water was gin-clear and cold, classic Appalachian trout stream. Worth the drive out from Chattanooga for the scenery alone.
Species: Rainbow & Brown Trout
Lure/Bait: 1/8 oz Panther Martin spinner
Best Spot: Stocked pool section near Bald River junction
Ocoee River
Fished the pocket water below the Ocoee No. 3 dam release and picked up several rainbows on a small nymph rig fished tight to the boulders. Whitewater rafters shared the river with us but the fishing held up fine in the calmer stretches. A unique setting for trout water.
Species: Rainbow Trout
Lure/Bait: Size 16 pheasant tail nymph under indicator
Best Spot: Pocket water below the No. 3 dam release
Hiwassee River
Waded the tailwater section of the Hiwassee below the Apalachia powerhouse and worked a woolly bugger through the deeper runs. Landed six rainbows and one solid brown, biggest around 16 inches. Cold, clear water even in June makes this one of the better summer trout fisheries in the region.
Species: Rainbow & Brown Trout
Lure/Bait: Olive woolly bugger, size 10
Best Spot: Deep runs below the Apalachia powerhouse
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Chattanooga anglers.
Worked a small crankbait through the shoals near Audubon Acres in low, clear water. She hit it hard against a submerged log and came up thrashing in the shallow riffle. South Chickamauga Creek's spotted bass fishery inside city limits is one of Chattanooga's best-kept secrets.
Spotted Bass 3 lb 9 oz, 17 inches
Waded a pocket run near the old Olympic whitewater site with a stonefly nymph bounced tight along the bottom. The take came hard in the fast water, and she fought like she meant it through the boulders. Ocoee trout live in some of the most technical water in the Southeast. Slid her back into the current.
Rainbow Trout 15-inch rainbow
Fished cut skipjack on a 7/0 circle hook off the current seam at Moccasin Bend. Rod loaded slow, then buried itself against the holder as a barge idled past. Twenty minutes later we had a 29-pound blue boatside with the Chattanooga skyline behind us. Tennessee River catfishing this close to downtown never gets old.
Catfish 29 lb blue cat
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Off South Chickamauga Creek near Audubon Acres and drove to Heaven & Ale on the Southside. German lager in the biergarten, creek mud still on my boots. A spotted bass morning inside the city deserves a proper biergarten finish.
Heaven & Ale — German lager
Waded out of the Ocoee near the Olympic site and drove into St. Elmo for Naked River Brewing. Hazy IPA on the patio, Lookout Mountain looming overhead, whitewater trout stories from the boulders. Ocoee days need a beer this good waiting at the end.
Naked River Brewing Company — Hazy IPA
Docked near Moccasin Bend and drove to Chattanooga Brewing Company, one of the city's original craft breweries. Cherokee Red Ale on the patio, catfish cooler still in the truck. Tennessee River days end right here.
Chattanooga Brewing Company — Cherokee Red Ale
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee
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Chattanooga Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and Southeast Tennessee fishing coverage from the HEREChattanooga newsroom.
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
Coming Soon
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National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Chattanooga perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee TN
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Chattanooga angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Southeast Tennessee TN waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Southeast Tennessee TN Waters
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TWRA Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Hamilton waters. Always verify current regulations at www.tn.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Chattanooga Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Chattanooga Waters
- Municipal Lakes: Boating permits may be required from Chattanooga 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 (Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Hamilton schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HEREChattanooga for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Hamilton 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 Chattanooga area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a TN fishing license to fish public waters in Hamilton. 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.
-
Hamilton 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 Chattanooga Water — check locally before launching.
-
The best crappie fishing in Hamilton 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Hamilton 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 Chattanooga.
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