Seasonal Fishing Guide for Tennessee: What to Target Each Month

Tennessee offers anglers an exceptional year-round fishing experience across its diverse waterways. From the mountain streams of the east to the mighty Mississippi in the west, each month brings unique opportunities to target different species under varying conditions. This comprehensive guide breaks down what fish to target in Tennessee during each month of the year, helping you maximize your success on the water no matter when you visit.

Before heading out, ensure you have a valid Tennessee fishing license to stay compliant with state regulations.

January: Winter Trophy Opportunities

January in Tennessee presents focused opportunities for dedicated anglers willing to brave the cold:

Trout: The highlight of winter fishing in Tennessee, particularly in the eastern region. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) maintains an active stocking program during winter months.
Best locations: South Holston River, Clinch River, and Hiwassee River tailwaters
Effective tactics: Small nymphs, midges, and egg patterns for fly anglers; small spinners and natural baits for spin fishing
Target size: 10-16 inches for stocked rainbow trout; 16-22+ inches for wild browns
Sauger: These walleye relatives make exceptional winter targets below dams.
Prime locations: Tennessee River and Cumberland River below major dams
Techniques: Vertical jigging with minnow-tipped jigs in deeper holes
Crappie: Suspended in deeper water around structure.
Approach: Use electronics to locate schools in 15-30 feet of water near deep brush piles and creek channels

February: Pre-Spawn Preparations

As waters gradually warm, February fishing brings heightened activity:

Smallmouth Bass: Begin staging for spring spawn in deeper water near spawning flats.
Top waters: Dale Hollow Lake, Center Hill Lake, and Chickamauga Lake
Techniques: Slow-rolled jigs and suspending jerkbaits in 15-25 feet of water
Walleye: The pre-spawn run begins in late February through March.
Hot spots: Norris Lake, Dale Hollow, and Cherokee Lake
Method: Night fishing with jigs tipped with nightcrawlers around rocky points
Trout: Continued excellent cold-water action in tailwaters.
Regulations: Be aware of special regulation areas with catch-and-release or restricted harvest rules

March: Early Spring Transition

March marks a significant transition period as water temperatures climb and fish become more active:

Crappie: Begin moving toward shallower water as spawning season approaches.
Locations: Kentucky Lake, Percy Priest Lake, and Old Hickory Lake
Techniques: Spider rigging with live minnows around submerged brush in 8-15 feet
Largemouth Bass: Pre-spawn feeding increases dramatically.
Pattern: Target creek channels and points adjacent to spawning flats
Lures: Lipless crankbaits, medium-diving crankbaits, and jigs
Striped Bass: Excellent spring runs occur below dams.
Prime locations: Cordell Hull Dam, Center Hill Dam, and Chickamauga Dam
Baits: Live shad or large swimbaits

April: Peak Spawning Activity

April represents prime time for many species as spawning activities peak:

Crappie: The most anticipated spawn of the year.
Indicators: When water temperatures reach 58-65°F
Locations: Shallow coves with brush, timber, or other cover in 2-6 feet
Techniques: Vertical jigging or casting small jigs under floats
Bass: All three black bass species (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) engage in spawning activities.
Approach: Sight fishing for beds in clear water
Lures: Soft plastics, especially creature baits and tubes
White Bass: Major spring runs occur up tributaries.
Hotspots: Buffalo River, Duck River, and Piney River
Methods: Small spinners, jigs, and live minnows

Species	Water Temperature	Typical Depth	Best Lures/Baits
Crappie	58-65°F	2-6 feet	Minnows, 1/16 oz jigs
Largemouth Bass	62-68°F	1-5 feet	Soft plastics, jigs
Smallmouth Bass	60-65°F	2-8 feet	Tubes, ned rigs
White Bass	55-65°F	1-4 feet	Small spinners, jigs

May: Post-Spawn Feeding Frenzy

As spawning activities conclude, May offers excellent fishing across species:

Bluegill and Shellcracker: Peak bedding activity.
Pattern: Look for circular beds in shallow bays with sandy bottoms
Approach: Small popping bugs for fly anglers; crickets and worms under floats for conventional tackle
Largemouth Bass: Post-spawn recovery period.
Locations: Deep points and ledges adjacent to spawning flats
Techniques: Topwater at dawn/dusk, deep-diving crankbaits during day
Catfish: Increased activity as waters warm.
Species: Channel, blue, and flathead catfish
Baits: Cut bait, chicken liver, and prepared stink baits

For Tennessee fishing regulations specific to May, check the TWRA Fishing Guide for current creel limits and size restrictions.

June: Early Summer Patterns

June signals the transition to summer patterns with increasingly predictable fish behavior:

Bass: Begin establishing summer patterns on river systems and reservoirs.
Largemouth: Target ledges and offshore structure on Tennessee River impoundments
Smallmouth: Focus on current breaks and rocky structure
Lures: Deep-diving crankbaits, football jigs, and big Texas-rigged worms
Striped Bass and Hybrids: Excellent fishing as they school in deeper water.
Locations: Norris Lake, Watts Bar, and Percy Priest
Methods: Live bait (shad, skipjack) or trolling with large swimbaits
Tip: Early morning and late evening provide best topwater opportunities
Trout: Higher elevation streams in the Great Smoky Mountains offer relief from summer heat.
Flies: Terrestrial patterns (ants, beetles, grasshoppers)
Times: Focus on early morning and evening to avoid crowds

July: Peak Summer Strategies

July’s heat demands adjusted tactics for continued success:

Catfish: Prime time for trophy blues and flatheads.
Locations: Deep holes in major rivers like the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mississippi
Baits: Fresh cut bait, live bluegill (where legal)
Timing: Night fishing produces best results
Bass: Deeper structure fishing dominates.
Patterns: Focus on main lake points, humps, and ledges in 15-30 feet
Techniques: Deep cranking, football jigs, and heavy Carolina rigs
Timing: Early morning topwater can be exceptional
Crappie: Suspend around deeper brush piles.
Depth: Typically 15-25 feet around structure
Method: Vertical jigging with electronics to pinpoint schools

For those looking to fish Tennessee as a non-resident, TWRA offers various license options.

August: Beat the Heat Tactics

August requires strategic approaches to combat challenging conditions:

Trout: High elevation streams in the Smokies provide refuge.
Locations: Above 3,000 feet elevation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Techniques: Light tippet, small dry flies, and stealthy approaches
Bass: Dawn and dusk become critical windows.
Morning pattern: Topwater along shallow points and grass lines
Daytime pattern: Deep structure in 20-35 feet
Night fishing: Black spinnerbaits and dark-colored soft plastics around lighted docks
Bluegill: Deep water patterns establish.
Locations: Deeper docks, brush piles in 10-15 feet
Baits: Small crickets, worms, or micro jigs

September: Early Fall Transitions

September marks the beginning of fall patterns and increased activity:

Bass: Begin transitioning from deep summer haunts toward shallower water.
Pattern: Follow baitfish migrations into creeks and coves
Lures: Shad-imitating crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater
Crappie: Schools become more active and begin moving shallower.
Locations: Brush piles and stake beds in 10-15 feet
Techniques: Spider rigging and casting small jigs
Sauger and Walleye: Activity increases as water temperatures cool.
Locations: Main river channels near current breaks
Lures: Jigging spoons, blade baits, and live minnows

October: Fall Feeding Frenzy

October offers some of the year’s best fishing across species:

Striped Bass: Major fall feeding activity.
Pattern: Follow shad schools in major tributaries and main lake points
Techniques: Topwater walking baits, large swimbaits, and live bait
Black Bass: Aggressive shallow feeding.
Locations: Backs of creeks and shallow flats
Lures: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits in shad patterns
Crappie: Fall patterns fully established.
Depth: 8-15 feet around structure
Technique: Casting small jigs or minnows under floats near brush

Tennessee’s fishing regulations vary by water body and species, so always check current rules before your trip.

November: Late Fall Opportunities

November provides excellent opportunities before winter sets in:

Trout: Stocking programs resume in many tailwaters.
Locations: Elk River, Caney Fork River, and Hiwassee River
Flies/Lures: Midges, small nymphs, egg patterns, and micro jigs
Bass: Feeding heavily before winter.
Pattern: Focus on steep drops near shallow flats
Presentation: Slow-rolling spinnerbaits, jigs, and suspending jerkbaits
Crappie: Still active around structure.
Locations: Creek channel edges in 12-20 feet
Technique: Vertical jigging with electronics

December: Winter Pattern Establishment

December marks the transition to winter patterns:

Trout: Excellent tailwater opportunities continue.
Focus: Dam releases provide consistent temperatures and feeding opportunities
Tactics: Small nymphs, midges, and slow-fished streamers
Sauger: Winter runs begin below major dams.
Locations: Below dams on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers
Lures: Heavy jigs tipped with minnows in current breaks
Crappie: Deep winter patterns establish.
Depth: 20-30 feet in main lake areas near structure
Technique: Tight-line vertical jigging with sensitive equipment

Regional Fishing Hotspots in Tennessee

Tennessee’s geography creates distinct fishing opportunities across three regions:

East Tennessee Highlights

Great Smoky Mountains: Wild trout streams with brook, rainbow, and brown trout.
Notable waters: Little River, Abrams Creek, and Tellico River
Regulations: Special trout regulations apply in many areas
Tailwaters: World-class trout fishing below TVA dams.
Top destinations: South Holston River, Watauga River, and Clinch River
Species: Trophy brown trout (20+ inches) and rainbow trout
Highland Reservoirs: Exceptional smallmouth bass fisheries.
Prime waters: Cherokee Lake, Douglas Lake, and Watauga Lake
Seasonal pattern: Spring spawning in shallow rocky areas; summer on main lake points

Middle Tennessee Highlights

Percy Priest Lake: Diverse fishery close to Nashville.
Targets: Largemouth bass, crappie, and hybrid striped bass
Hotspots: Standing timber areas, rocky points, and the dam area
Center Hill Lake: Trophy smallmouth destination.
Pattern: Deep rock structures and bluff walls
Size potential: 5+ pound smallmouth possible
Duck River: One of Tennessee’s most diverse flowing water fisheries.
Species: Smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, and multiple sunfish species
Approach: Float trips offer best access to productive areas

West Tennessee Highlights

Kentucky Lake & Barkley Lake: World-renowned for bass and crappie.
Technique: Ledge fishing for summer bass with deep crankbaits and football jigs
Crappie approach: Spider rigging and jig shooting around brush piles
Reelfoot Lake: Unique cypress tree fishery.
Known for: Bluegill, crappie, and bass around cypress trees
Method: Fishing cypress knees and tree bases
Mississippi River: Trophy catfish opportunities.
Species: Blue catfish exceeding 80 pounds
Method: Cut bait on heavy tackle in deep holes and current breaks

Essential Seasonal Gear Recommendations

Adapt your tackle box for Tennessee’s seasonal patterns:

Season	Primary Species	Essential Gear
Winter	Trout, Sauger	Ultra-light rods, small jigs, midges, egg patterns
Spring	Bass, Crappie	Medium action rods, crankbaits, jigs, live minnows
Summer	Catfish, Deep Bass	Heavy rods, deep cranks, Carolina rigs, cut bait
Fall	Bass, Stripers	Medium-heavy rods, topwater, spinnerbaits, swimbaits

Conservation and Regulations

Tennessee’s fishing regulations vary significantly by water body and species. Always check the current TWRA fishing guide before your trip, as limits and regulations may change annually. Key points to remember:

License requirements: All anglers 13 and older need a valid Tennessee fishing license
Trout stamp: Required for trout fishing in addition to basic license
Creel limits: Vary by water body and species
Length limits: Often in place for bass, trout, and other gamefish
Seasonal closures: Apply to certain species and waters

For complete information on licenses, visit the Tennessee fishing license guide.

Conclusion

Tennessee offers exceptional fishing opportunities throughout the year, with each month presenting unique patterns and species to target. By understanding seasonal movements and adapting your approach accordingly, you can enjoy productive fishing trips regardless of when you visit. From trophy trout in eastern tailwaters to monster catfish in the Mississippi River, Tennessee’s diverse waterways provide something for every angler.

Remember to check local regulations, stay informed about seasonal patterns, and practice responsible fishing ethics to preserve Tennessee’s remarkable fisheries for future generations.