Region III Fishing Report
November 18, 2009
Center Hill
Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 59 degrees; lake is slowly falling. Several spotted bass are being caught while jigging spoons under shad in 25 feet of water. Some good small mouth are being caught while fishing top water baits on main lake points in the mid-section of the lake. Crappie fishing is fair in the rivers, while fishing small jigs and minnows around laydown trees in 2-to-10 feet of water.
Chickamauga
The surface temperature is near 60 degrees. The area of the Tennessee River below the mouth of the Hiwassee River is stained. The river current is strong due to the spillage of water at the dams. Crappie fishing is good on most days. The river crappie are harder to catch due to the heavy current. Jigs and minnows are being used for bait. Blowdowns, piers, and ledges in creeks and bays are other areas that are holding a few crappie. Bass are being caught in shallow bays. A lot of schooling fish are being caught. Topwater lures and spinnerbaits are as good as any other lure that can be used for bass. Some stripers are being caught in the tailwaters, but the water is treacherous due to the flood gates being open. Some catfish are being caught, but only a few anglers are targeting them. Most catfish enthusiasts are in the woods or they are crappie fishing.
Dale Hollow
Fishing is good. The water temperature is 58 degrees; lake is slowly falling. Several smallmouth are being caught on live bait and jigs while fishing on points in 15-to-25 feet deep. Crappie fishing is fair with some good fish being caught near Horse Creek, while fishing clay banks in 15 feet of water. Crappie fishing is also fair in the rivers while fishing brush in 15-20 feet of water. Several good redears are being caught on night crawlers in grass in 2-to-5 feet deep water.
Watts Bar
The surface temperature is near 60 degrees. Crappie are being targeted along blowdowns, bluff walls and near piers. Jigs and minnows are equal opportunity baits. Some large crappie are being caught. Catfish are being caught by those drifting in the main channel. All the normal baits associated with catfishing are being used. Shad is the best bait for the larger fish. Some stripers are being caught in the main channel. A few are being caught in the larger creeks. The river fishing is difficult due to the heavy current. Topwater lures, jigs, spoons and shad are the more popular baits being used by striper anglers. Bass are being caught along main lake points and in shallow bay areas. The bass are being caught in the bay water areas near schools of shad. Nearly all types of lures are being used to catch bass.
