Region III Fishing Report
July 1, 2009
Center Hill
Fishing is good. Water temperature is 85 degrees; lake is falling. Bass fishing is good at night while using spinnerbaits, jigs and soft, plastic baits in 15 of water. Walleye fishing is good while using hot-n-tots and nightcrawler rigs while trolling gravel banks in 17-to-20 feet of water. Bluegill fishing is good while fishing crickets around bluffs in 15 feet of water.
Chickamauga
The lake is at summer pool and the water surface temperature is near eighty degrees. Catfish are being caught in most areas of the lake while drifting in the main channel. All the normal catfish baits are being used with success. Some heavy weights are being caught. Bass fishing is very good. Bass are being caught in the summer patterns such as humps, drops, and points on or adjacent to the primary water. There are more bass being caught while schooling than in previous weeks. Crankbaits, spoons, swimbaits and plastic worms should complete the list of needed arsenal for those in search of bass. White bass are being caught near current breaks, sunken islands, and in the tailwaters. The most popular baits are spoons and spinner-type lures. Crappie are being caught along deep water drops and structure in the same area. Minnows and jigs are being used for bait. Night crappie are easier to catch while fishing underneath the lights. Bluegill can be caught while using crickets for bait. Bluff walls in the main channel is the best area for bluegill. Some rockfish are being caught mainly in the tailwater areas.
Dale Hollow
Fishing is good. Water temperature is 82; lake is falling. Lots of walleye are being caught while trolling day and night, using hot-n-tots and nightcrawler rigs in 22 feet of water. Bass fishing is good at night on spinnerbaits, jigs and soft, plastic baits, while fishing points in 10-to-20 feet of water. A few crappie are being caught at night while fishing under the lights with minnows in 15-to- n20 feet of water. Trout fishing is good near the dam while trolling spoons in 35-40 feet of water.
Watts Bar
The surface water temperature is near eighty degrees. White bass are being caught while using spinner-type lures and spoons. Mid lake humps and points seem to be the best target for those in search of white bass. Catfish are being caught most often in the area from Paint Rock to Fort Loudon Dam on the normal catfish baits. Shad is the top bait. Crappie can be caught day or night, but the easy crappie are being caught at night fishing underneath lights while using jigs or minnows. Bass are in their full summer mode which means big water points, humps, and current breaks should be the target areas. This does not mean bass can not be caught in other areas, but these areas are the first areas successful anglers investigate. Plastic worms, crankbaits, swimbaits, and spoons are the first lures anglers try. The choice will change with the target area. Rockfish are being caught in the tailwater areas and occasionally near humps by the white bass anglers. Bluegill are being caught near bluff walls.
