Things to do / Travel Guide
Central Kentucky and Tennessee lakes and rivers offer some of the best bass fishing in the United States. In particular, Dale Hollow Lake and Kentucky Lake, both spanning the Kentucky-Tennessee border, are known for yielding trophy-size smallmouth and largemouth bass. Local Kentucky and Tennessee anglers are not selfish - if you happen upon some local experts, ask them for tips about fishing hot spots and they'll gladly help you out. Charter companies and guides are available in just about every lakeside and riverside community. To fish in Kentucky you will need a Kentucky fishing license and, once you cross the border, a Tennessee fishing license will be required. Fishing licenses can be obtained in small shops near waterways, or online.
Lake Fishing in Central Kentucky
- Surrounded by steep bluffs, the crystal-clear of Laurel River Lake, near Corbin and London is great for bass, crappie, and trout fishing. Fish around the island near the Grove boat ramp.
- Walleye fishing, smallmouth bass, and striper fishing is good near the major tributaries and tailwaters on the popular recreational Lake Cumberland near Somerset. Fishing is available year-round and stripers are caught year-round, though April-November are the best months for most species.
- One of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S., Kentucky Lake, near the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is nationally-recognized among bass anglers. Largemouth bass are best found near the flats of the coves and tributaries. Eagle Creek, Swamp Creek, Lip and Bloodsong Creeks are some of the local fishermen's favorite spots.
Lake Fishing in Central Tennessee
- Dale Hollow Lake, on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is widely considered one of the best lakes in the U.S. for smallmouth bass (record-holding fish weighed 11 lbs, 15 oz). Muskie, walleye, and rainbow trout are also prevalent. The area near Cordell Hull Memorial Highway is a particularly good spot in the spring. In colder weather, the “Float and Fly” method is used by trophy-winning smallmouth bass fisherman.
- Just outside of Nashville, pretty and pristine J. Percy Priest Lake is regularly stocked with rockfish. Spring and summer fishing here is best, and on hot days you can try casting at night. Crappie hang out around bridge pilings, and largemouth bass can be caught near the upper edge of the lake.
- For bass, bluegill, catfish, white bass, and rockfish fishing amidst beautiful, pristine wilderness, try the area below the dam on Chickamauga Lake near Chattanooga.
River Fishing in Central Kentucky and Tennessee
- Running along the northeastern border of the region, the Ohio River is one of the top catfishing spots in the central Kentucky and Tennessee region. Sink your bait anywhere along the river (south of Louisville is best) and you can expect to find channel, flathead, and blue catfish.
- Sections of the Kentucky River near Frankfort or Lexington are great for channel catfish in the summer - try the areas around dams, bluffs, or large outcroppings. Catfish are bottom feeders, so the deeper you cast, the more likely you are to snag one.
- Big South Fork River, located on both sides of the Kentucky-Tennessee border, contains fish of over 60 species including sunfish, smallmouth bass, rock bass, bream, muskellunge, and channel catfish. Walleye, striped bass, and white bass migrate from Lake Cumberland.
- Brown trout, rainbow trout, white bass, and striper fish can be caught at Cumberland River, also located on both sides of the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
- Anglers claim that just about any place along the Tennessee River in central Tennessee you'll be sure to take home smallmouth and largemouth bass. The area near Kentucky Lake has been called “legendary” for its stock of largemouth bass, and you can catch catfish between Signal Mountain and Nick Jack Dam.
- The warm flowing Hiwassee River near Chattanooga is considered to be central Tennessee's premier fly fishing river for brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
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