FishKillFlea Tennessee is renowned for its incredible TVA impoundments offering giant bass and crappie fishing, alongside the cold, misty trout streams of the Great Smoky Mountains. A $34 TN fishing license unlocks the vast majority of it.
The Mighty TVA Reservoirs (No Trout Required)
| Spot | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickamauga Lake | Chattanooga | Largemouth Bass | One of the best trophy bass lakes in America right now! |
| Kentucky Lake | Western TN | Crappie, Catfish | Massive body of water famous for spring spider-rigging |
| Dale Hollow Lake | TN/KY Border | Smallmouth Bass | Holds the World Record Smallmouth Bass (11 lbs 15 oz)! |
The Mountain Trout Streams (Required: $22 Trout Permit)
| Water | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Eastern TN | Brook, Rainbow Trout | Miles of pristine, wild, high-elevation freestone streams |
| Tellico River | Cherokee NF | Stocked Rainbows | Heavy stocking, requires the daily Tellico permit ($6) |
| Clinch River Tailwater | Below Norris Dam | Brown/Rainbow | Can provide massive holdover brown trout |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Crappie, Bass Spawn | KY Lake, Chickamauga | April crappie pushing shallow on KY Lake is legendary |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Catfish, Night Striper | Mississippi River, Percy Priest | Massive blue cats out west; incredible night action central |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Smallmouth, Topwater Bass | Dale Hollow | Football-sized smallmouth push shallow in the cooling water |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Trout, Sauger | Clinch River, Tailwaters | Sauger stack up below the TVA dams all winter long |
Neighboring: Kentucky for Dale Hollow/KY Lake overlap, North Carolina for the Smokies, Georgia for Chickamauga southern connections.
An TN annual license is $34. See full costs or buy yours.