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Tennessee · Fishing
Tracy City sits on the Cumberland Plateau in Grundy County, and the fishing around town is lake-based — no major tailwaters or trophy trout streams here, but three accessible lakes that are worth knowing about.
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Tracy City sits on the Cumberland Plateau in Grundy County, and the fishing around town is lake-based — no major tailwaters or trophy trout streams here, but three accessible lakes that are worth knowing about. Littell Number One Lake, Grundy Lake Number One, and Plainview Lake are the local options, all offering the kind of still-water fishing that suits a relaxed morning or afternoon outing. Expect warm-water species typical of plateau lakes in middle Tennessee — bass, bream, and catfish are the most likely targets, though you should check current TWRA stocking reports for specifics on any given season. The lakes are relatively small and uncrowded compared to the big TVA reservoirs further down the plateau, which means you can often find a quiet bank spot or launch a small kayak or canoe without fighting weekend traffic. If you're driving in from outside the area, Tracy City is a reasonable base — it's a short drive to all three lakes and has basic services in town. None of these waters are designated wild trout or gold medal fisheries, so set expectations accordingly: this is casual, accessible fishing in a scenic plateau setting, not a destination trip built around trophy fish.
These are warm-water plateau lakes, so largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish are the most common targets. Check the TWRA website before your trip for any recent stocking activity, as that can shift what's biting and where.
Yes, a valid Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone 13 and older. You can purchase one through the TWRA website or at local retailers. Verify whether any of the lakes have additional access fees or permit requirements before you go, as rules on smaller managed lakes can vary.
Ragland Bottom
~1h 23m drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Plainview Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Elk River Tailwater at Tims Ford Dam
~42 min drive
Easy
Littell Number One Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Grundy Lake Number One
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Jackson Lake
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Mont Milner Lake
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cumberland Mountain Sd Company Lake
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cumberland Mountain Lake
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Skymont Lake Number One
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Guntersville Lake
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Tims Ford Lake
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations on these smaller lakes. For bass, soft plastics and small crankbaits work well along shoreline structure. For bream and catfish, a simple bobber rig with live bait or nightcrawlers is hard to beat and keeps things simple if you're bringing kids.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows on still-water lakes like these, especially for bass during warmer months. Midday in summer is generally slow, though catfish can be caught throughout the day on the bottom.
Small hand-carried watercraft like kayaks and canoes are generally well-suited to lakes of this size, but access points and launch conditions vary by location. Scout each lake on a mapping app before your trip and confirm current access conditions locally, as facilities at smaller Grundy County lakes can be minimal.
