Here is the fishing report from the TWRA:
Center Hill: Fishing is good. Water temperature is 53 degrees; lake is fairly stable.
Bass: Lots of bass are being caught on jerk baits, crank baits and A-rigs while fishing pockets with shad in 5-to-10 feet of water.
Crappie: A few are being caught in sunken brush in 10-to-15 feet of water on minnows.
Walleye: Several walleye are being caught near the sandbar while fishing jigs in 15 of water.
Musky: A few musky are being caught while fishing near Webbs Camp using large jerkbaits.
Chickamauga Reservoir: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 676.9 feet.
The water surface temperature is 59 degrees (Sunday 3/29).
Largemouth Bass: Fishing is really good despite rapid weather and water changes. River ledges, flats, and shallows are locations being targeted for bass. Warmer weather and rising water will create conditions more favorable for shallow bass close to the bank. Lipless lures and spinnerbaits are the most popular lures.
Smallmouth Bass: Upper reservoir anglers are catching more than anglers in other areas, but the number being caught is less when compared to previous years. Jigs are the better bait.
Crappie: Jigs and/or minnows are being used for bait. Shallow brush and sloughs are good locations for targeting crappie. Many black crappie are being caught around creek openings.
Striped bass: Most striped bass are being caught by bass anglers in the mid to lower lake.
Bluegill: Most bluegill are being caught by anglers targeting crappie.
Sauger/Walleye: A few were caught in the upper reservoir while fishing jigs along the bottom in the river.
Catfish: Drifters in the river are catching several fish on meaty baits. A young man fishing off the bank in Richland Creek proudly displayed a stringer of fish caught while using worms.
Dale Hollow: Fishing is great. Water temperature is 53 degrees; lake is falling slowly.
Smallmouth: Smallmouth fishing is fabulous. Lots are being caught on jigs, jerkbaits, crankbaits and Alabama rigs while fishing points and flats in 5-to-15 feet of water.
Largemouth: Fishing is great. Lots of fish are being caught on spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and Alabama rigs while fishing pockets and flats in 5-to-10 feet of water.
Crappie: Fishing is slow. A few crappie are being caught in the grass while fishing minnows and jigs in 10 feet of water.
Watts Bar: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet. Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 739.4 feet. The water surface temperature is 58 degrees (Sunday 3/29).
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth anglers are catching a few fish in shallow water while using lipless lures. More fish seem to be located on the secondary points leading into the shallows. Crank baits are being used.
Smallmouth Bass: Rocky banks located on the bigger water is the most popular target area. Jigs and crank baits are the weapons being used. Several fish are being caught.
Walleye/Sauger: River drifters in the tailwater were catching fish while bouncing jigs along the bottom. Some nice sauger and walleye are being caught.
Crappie: Various patterns are being used to catch crappie. Minnows or jigs are being used. Blacknose and black crappie are being caught in water leading into the shallows. 10 to 12 feet of water seems to be a good depth to target these crappie. White crappie are being caught on the lower end in the large creeks in the open water in depths as deep as 60 feet.
Catfish: River drifters are catching a lot of catfish. Use meaty baits. Crappie trollers are catching many in the creeks.
Striped bass: Bass anglers in the mid lake are catching a few river stripers while using the “Rig” for bait.