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Tennessee · Fishing
Nashville sits on the Cumberland River corridor, and while most visitors are here for the music, the fishing within city limits and just outside it is genuinely good and underutilized. J.
4 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 4 spots
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Nashville sits on the Cumberland River corridor, and while most visitors are here for the music, the fishing within city limits and just outside it is genuinely good and underutilized. J. Percy Priest Lake is the anchor of the local scene — a large Army Corps reservoir southeast of downtown with reliable largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass. Hoover Quarry and Cheek Lake offer smaller, more contained lake fishing that tends to suit anglers who want a quieter spot without navigating a big reservoir. Anderson Road Campground adds a surf fishing option on Percy Priest, where you can fish from the bank without a boat. None of these spots require a long drive or a guide — most are within 20-30 minutes of downtown Nashville. Tennessee fishing licenses are required for anyone 13 and older, and they're available online through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or at local sporting goods stores. The variety across these four spots means you can fish from a kayak, a jon boat, or just a folding chair on the bank, depending on what you're after.
Percy Priest holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and striped bass. Crappie fishing is particularly consistent around submerged structure and coves, especially in spring. Stripers show up more reliably in cooler months when they move shallower.
You don't need a boat. Anderson Road Campground is specifically set up for bank fishing on Percy Priest, and Hoover Quarry and Cheek Lake are small enough that shore access works well. Percy Priest also has multiple boat ramps if you do have a kayak or motorized boat.
Anderson Road Campground
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Shutes Branch
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Rockland Recreation Area
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cages Bend
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Center Hill Lake
~1h 23m drive
Moderate
Seven Points
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Nat Caldwell Park
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Long Branch
~1h 19m drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Smith Springs
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
J. Percy Priest Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Salt Lick Creek
~1h 23m drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Old Hickory Beach
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Spring (March through May) is the most productive window overall, when bass are pre-spawn and crappie move shallow. Fall is a close second, particularly September and October, when water temperatures drop and fish feed aggressively before winter. Summer fishing is slower midday but can be productive early morning and after sunset.
A medium-action spinning rod in the 6 to 7 foot range covers most situations at Percy Priest, Hoover Quarry, and Cheek Lake. For bass, soft plastics, crankbaits, and jigs all work. For crappie, small jigs and live minnows are standard. If you're targeting catfish from the bank at Anderson Road, bring a heavier setup with cut bait or chicken liver.
Yes, anyone 13 or older needs a valid Tennessee fishing license. You can buy one online through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website, through the TWRA app, or at most local sporting goods retailers. A basic annual resident license is reasonably priced, and non-resident options are available if you're visiting from out of state.
