Region III Fishing Report
November 24, 2009
Center Hill
Fishing is fair. The water surface 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 smallmouth 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 lake is at an elevation that is 1.5 feet above the seasonal normal level. The water surface temperature is 55 degrees. The river current is heavy due to the spillways at all the dams being open. Bass are being caught most often in shallow bays near shad. A variety of lures are needed to complete the arsenal most anglers are packing. Most lures that are used in shallow water that mimic bait fish are being used. Crappie continue to be caught in the sloughs and along the river banks near blowdowns. Current breaks will concentrate numbers of crappie. Bluegill are being caught along the deeper river banks while using jigs or worms for bait. Catfish are being caught while drifting in the main channel by those that are targeting them. Chicken parts and shad are the most used baits for catfish. Some rockfish are being caught, but conditions in the tailwaters are dangerous.
Dale Hollow
Fishing is good. The water surface 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 fish is also fair in the rivers while fishing brush in 15-20 feet of water. Several good red ears are being caught on night crawlers in grass in 2-to-5 feet deep water.
Watts Bar
The water surface temperature is 55 degrees. The surface elevation is 738.9 feet. This is 1 foot above the seasonal normal level and 3 feet above winter level. Bass are being caught in shallow cove and bay areas near the shad minnows. Rockfish are being caught in the same areas. These schooling fish are being caught on jerkbaits, swimbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie anglers are catching crappie in shallow water on the area of the lake above Kingston. Crappie are being caught along the river points and rocks on the lower end of the lake. Minnows and jigs are equally effective baits. Catfish are being caught while using shad in the main channel. Heavy catfish and plenty of them are being caught from Rockwood toward the upper end of the lake.
