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Tennessee · Fishing
Saulsbury is a small town in Hardeman County in West Tennessee, and the fishing here is almost entirely built around private and semi-private lakes rather than big rivers or reservoirs.
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Saulsbury is a small town in Hardeman County in West Tennessee, and the fishing here is almost entirely built around private and semi-private lakes rather than big rivers or reservoirs. The five lakes in and around town — Grand Valley Lake, Grand Valley Lake Number Two, Crystal Lake, Spring Creek Ranch Lake Number Two, and Chancellor and Son Lake — are all lake fishing operations, which means you're casting from the bank or a small boat into relatively contained, still water rather than wading a current. That setup suits a specific kind of trip: unhurried, accessible, and well-suited to anglers who want a productive day without a long drive to a major reservoir. West Tennessee lake fisheries like these typically hold bass, catfish, and bream, and the private-lake model often means less pressure than you'd find on public water. If you're coming from Memphis or Jackson, Saulsbury is a straightforward drive, and the cluster of lakes here means you have real options if one spot doesn't pan out. Just confirm access, fees, and any guest policies directly with each lake before you show up — private operations set their own rules.
Tennessee law requires a valid state fishing license for most anglers 13 and older, even on private water, unless the lake owner has obtained a specific exemption. Check with each lake — Grand Valley Lake, Crystal Lake, Spring Creek Ranch Lake Number Two, and the others — about whether a license is required on their property, but assume you need one until told otherwise.
The lakes listed here operate as private or semi-private fisheries, so access policies vary by owner. Contact each lake directly before making the trip to ask about day-use fees, guest access, and whether walk-ins are welcome. Chancellor and Son Lake and Spring Creek Ranch Lake Number Two in particular are worth calling ahead on.
Chewalla Lake Recreation Area
~54 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Spring Creek Ranch Lake Number Two
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Pickwick Lake
~1h 18m drive
Moderate
Grand Valley Lake Number Two
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Grand Valley Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cub Creek Lake Number Two A
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Crystal Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Chancellor and Son Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cub Creek Lake Number One
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Otter Pond
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Terra Alta Lake
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Pocahontas Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
West Tennessee impoundments and managed lakes like these typically hold largemouth bass, channel catfish, and various sunfish species including bluegill and redear. None of the lakes in this listing are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so trout fishing is not what you're here for.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for bass and bream in still-water lake settings, especially in warmer months when fish push shallow during low light. Midday in summer is generally slow, though catfish can be caught throughout the day on the bottom.
A medium-action spinning or baitcasting rod handles most of what you'll encounter here. Soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures cover bass, while a simple bottom rig with cut bait or chicken liver works well for catfish. Check whether the lake allows boats or is bank-fishing only before hauling a kayak out.
