Best Fishing Spots Near Knoxville, Tennessee

When I go fishing I really enjoy having the peace, quiet and some space to myself. It can be stress free when you just go fishing for fun and not have a care in the world. Some the places I looked online and in person near Knoxville, Tennessee to fish are:

Visitknoxville.com
Hookandbullet.com

I first looked online for the best fishing spots to check out near and one of the top google searches Visitknoxville.com was that listed stops which I will share the information with you:

These Amazing Spots Near Knoxville, Tennessee Are Perfect To Go Fishing

Few things in the world are more relaxing – or more exciting, depending on the day – than fishing. With so many freshwater lakes and rivers, fishing in Knoxville, Tennessee is top-rated. From fly fishing to shore casting, here are some of the best spots to try your luck. Please note, that these aren’t ranked in any particular order, but we have mentioned some of the fish you’re most likely to catch.

Here are a few spots some of our top local guides, Jon Oody and Scott Heptinstall, don’t want you to miss:

Melton Hill LakeFor USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships results

Locals name this lake one of their favorites because of its crystal clear waters and undeveloped lakeside. Cold, super-oxygenated water released from the bottom of Norris Dam create an ideal environment for healthy populations of baitfish. The flow from the dam allows the lake to act more like a slow-moving river, which helps keep the fish populations moving and available. With just a short half-hour drive from downtown, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the natural landscape.

Fort Loudoun LakeFor USA Cycling Para-cycling ITT and Road National Championships results

Fort Loudoun is super accessible, with bass tournaments happening pretty much every day of the week. From small groups of locals to large, organized competitions, the social element of fishing thrives here. With a main channel that flows at a couple miles per hour, you’ll find crazy amounts of baitfish migrating through its waters in the fall and spring. The banks of Fort Loudoun Lake have a gentle slope, and the variety of structures such as docks and trees offer great spawning and fishing habitat. Grab your buddies and join in the classic Knoxville fun.

Cherokee LakeFor start lists and call ups for all events

Here you’ll find a great smallmouth/largemouth fishery where the average fisherman usually has luck landing a decent-sized catch. Being part of a river system, the lake’s water level changes throughout the year, presenting different opportunities and fishing styles. When the water is down, the exposed rock points make great places to scout out fish. And when the water is high, the flooded trees and vegetation make great places for fish (and fishermen) to hang out. Cherokee is stocked with striped bass, and there’s never a shortage. Stick around long enough, and you might see some that are up to 40 or 50 pounds!

Douglas LakeUS-Paralympics

Just southeast of Cherokee Lake, you’ll find Douglas, another large, well known lake. Douglas Lake fishes a lot like Cherokee with its rocky outcrops and shallow flats. Massive creeks feed into Douglas, carving the lay of the land and the water. With a plethora of secondary points within the many coves, it makes an outstanding fishery for the Bassmaster Open Tournament that’s hosted there every year.

Norris Lake

The mountains meet the water at this big, beautiful lake just half an hour north of town. With deep, clear waters, Norris is a great place for sight fishing, (spotting the fish in the water) when the weather warms up. Make sure to pack the polarized lenses.

River Fishing

If you want to mix things up a bit, you’ll find fantastic smallmouth fishing on Knoxville’s three rivers. The French Broad River and Holston River come together just east of town to form the Tennessee River. With boat access at Governor Ned McWherter/Riverside Landing Park, the confluence near the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area is easily accessible. At certain times of the year, this special spot is the crossroads of species coming from the French Broad and the Holston. If you have the time, a great option is to put in at Holston River Park and float down to Ned McWherter. On this stretch, you could find a mixture of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.

When I visit a website for information I only use small part of the article or page and I encourage you to vist all websites I talk about for more information if I didn’t answer your question Visitknoxville.com is a great website I find as a great resource for local information I can’t find else where.

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The secord place I looked online for the best fishing spots to check out near Knoxville, Tennessee and one of the top google searches HookandBullet.com I will share the information with you fishing near Knoxville, Tennessee:

Fish Species Found in the Knoxville (TN) Area

Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Walleye, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Rainbow Trout, Redbreast Sunfish, and 11 more

Knoxville (TN) Fishing Spots

Armstrong Branch 5.1 milesBaker Creek 1.8 milesBaker Shoals 2 milesBeaman Lake 3.7 milesBeaman Lake Dam 3.7 milesBurnett Creek 5.2 milesBurnett Creek Shoals 5.2 milesCruze Creek 5.9 milesCrystal Lake 5.6 milesDeArmond Spring Branch 5.6 milesEast Third Creek 1.6 milesFirst Creek 0.5 milesFlenniken Branch 4.8 milesFourth Creek 5.2 milesFrench Broad River 3.9 milesFrench Broad Shoals 3.9 milesGoose Creek 1 mileGoose Neck Shoals 3.4 milesHaw Branch 6.1 milesHenson Spring Branch 5 milesHolston River 3.9 milesJumping Moses Shoal 4.3 milesKnob Creek 5.4 milesLake Ottosee 3.4 milesLooney Shoals 2.8 milesLove Creek 6.1 milesLynnhurst Lake 4.2 milesLyons Shoals 4.6 milesMcCall Branch 5.9 milesMcNutt Shoals 2.8 milesMill Shoals 4.6 milesPaint Rock Shoals 6.1 milesPennyroyal Shoals 6 milesRhea Springs Live Bait 4.9 milesSand Branch 5.1 milesSawmill Run 4.3 milesSecond Creek 0.3 milesSixmile Branch 6.1 milesSpring Creek 3.1 milesStock Creek 6.1 milesSwanpond Creek 5.1 milesThe Creel 5.8 milesThird Creek 1.5 milesToll Creek 3.4 milesTwin Creek 5.9 milesWest Fork Third Creek 3.5 milesWhites Creek 4 milesWilliams Creek 1.7 milesWilliams Shoals 5.1 milesView Map

Fishing Guides near Knoxville (TN)

Smoky Mountain Outdoors

“Something for everyone;…”

from $150.00

Smoky Mountain

Spring Street Market

from $1.00

AB’s Fly Fishing Guide Service

R & R Fly Fishing Guides

Smokies Angling Adventures

East Tennessee Guide Service

Reel Job Fishing Guiding Service

Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited

Fontana Guides

Rocky Top Outfitters

Smoky Mountain Troutfitters

Little River Outfitters

Rod & Gun Guide Service

Smoky Mountains On The Fly Guiding

Conclusion

Hope this post was helpful to you and that you have a very successful trip fishing with your friends and family! Check out the other sections of my blog for more tips on ThebookOnGoneFishing.

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