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Tennessee · Fishing
Winchester sits at the edge of two genuinely productive fisheries that draw anglers from across the mid-South for different reasons.
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Winchester sits at the edge of two genuinely productive fisheries that draw anglers from across the mid-South for different reasons. Tims Ford Lake is the bigger draw for most visitors — a TVA reservoir with enough structure, coves, and open water to keep bass, crappie, and catfish anglers busy across multiple trips. Then there's the Elk River Tailwater below Tims Ford Dam, which operates on a completely different logic: cold, dam-regulated water that holds rainbow trout and brown trout in a stretch that fishes well even in summer when most Tennessee rivers are too warm to bother. The tailwater is rated easy for access and wading, which makes it approachable for anglers who are new to fly fishing but haven't yet built confidence on technical water. Between the two, Winchester gives you a rare combination — warm-water lake fishing and a cold-water trout fishery within a few miles of each other. Whether you're rigging a spinning rod for a morning on the lake or pulling on waders for a few hours below the dam, you won't need to drive far to find fishable water.
The Elk River Tailwater below Tims Ford Dam holds rainbow trout and brown trout year-round thanks to the cold water released from the dam. Tims Ford Lake supports warm-water species typical of TVA reservoirs, including bass, crappie, and catfish.
Fly fishing is the most common approach on the tailwater and the listings reflect that, but Tennessee regulations don't restrict spinning gear on most tailwater sections. Check current TWRA regulations before your trip to confirm any gear restrictions on the specific stretch you plan to fish.
Elk River Tailwater at Tims Ford Dam
~2 min drive
Easy
Tims Ford Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Tims Ford Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Ovoca Lake
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Lincoln Lake
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Jackson Lake
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Mont Milner Lake
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cumberland Mountain Sd Company Lake
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Cumberland Mountain Lake
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Bedford Lake
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Oakwood Acres Lake
~37 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Davis Lake
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Early morning before dam generation picks up tends to give you the most stable, wadeable conditions. When TVA is generating power, water levels can rise quickly and wading becomes unsafe, so check the TVA generation schedule online before you head out — it's updated daily and free to access.
Tims Ford State Park provides bank and pier access for anglers without a boat. A boat does open up significantly more of the lake's structure and coves, but you can have a productive day from shore, particularly around the park's fishing areas.
You'll need a valid Tennessee fishing license, and if you're targeting trout on the Elk River Tailwater, you also need a Tennessee trout license in addition to your base license. Both can be purchased online through the TWRA website or at local bait shops in the Winchester area.
