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Tennessee · Fishing
Knoxville sits at the confluence of several Tennessee Valley Authority impoundments, which means lake fishing is the dominant format here rather than stream or river angling.
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Knoxville sits at the confluence of several Tennessee Valley Authority impoundments, which means lake fishing is the dominant format here rather than stream or river angling. The two main waters showing up in local listings are Fort Loudoun Lake and Bluegrass Lake, and they fish quite differently from each other. Fort Loudoun is a large TVA reservoir on the Tennessee River, running from Knoxville's western edge down toward Lenoir City, and it carries a solid reputation for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Bluegrass Lake is a smaller, quieter impoundment in the Grainger County area northeast of the city, better suited to anglers looking for less boat traffic and a more relaxed pace. Neither water is a tailwater trout fishery, so if trout are your target, you'll need to look outside the immediate Knoxville listings covered here. For bass and panfish, though, both lakes offer accessible bank and boat fishing across most of the year, with spring and fall being the most productive windows. A valid Tennessee fishing license is required on both waters, and TVA shoreline access rules apply at Fort Loudoun, so it's worth checking current access points before you go.
Fort Loudoun holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass, and channel catfish. Striped bass and hybrid stripers also move through the reservoir seasonally. It is not stocked with trout and is not designated a trout fishery.
Bluegrass Lake is roughly 45 minutes northeast of downtown Knoxville in Grainger County. It's a smaller impoundment that sees far less pressure than Fort Loudoun, which can make a real difference on weekends. Expect similar warm-water species — bass, crappie, and bream — in a quieter setting.
Cades Cove Campground
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Bluegrass Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Abrams Creek
~36 min drive
Moderate
Indian Boundary Lake
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cades Cove Group
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Fort Loudoun Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Clinch River at Norris Dam
~42 min drive
Moderate
Massey Branch Fishing Pier
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near NC.
Anthony Creek Horse Camp
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Fort Loudoun Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Little River in Great Smoky Mountains
~43 min drive
Moderate
Massey Branch Area
~1h 7m drive
A worthwhile stop near NC.
Yes, a Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone 13 and older on both Fort Loudoun and Bluegrass Lake. You can purchase one online through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website or at local sporting goods retailers. Non-resident licenses are available and cover the same waters.
On both lakes, early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows, especially for bass in warmer months. Spring (March through May) is the peak season as bass move shallow to spawn, and fall (September through November) brings another strong feeding period before water temperatures drop. Midsummer midday fishing on Fort Loudoun can be slow due to heat and boat traffic.
Bank fishing is possible at both lakes, but Fort Loudoun's TVA shoreline has limited public access points, so you'll want to identify specific parks or boat ramps with legal bank access before heading out. Melton Hill Dam Recreation Area and various county parks along the reservoir are commonly used spots. A kayak or small boat opens up significantly more water on both lakes.
