Silhouettes of three fishermen fishing on the Clinch River during sunset, surrounded by trees and rocks, with a city skyline and Smoky Mountains in the background. One of the many great fishing spots outside Knoxville.

FISHING AROUND KNOXVILLE

Ultimate Guide to Fishing Around Knoxville, TN and Surrounding Counties

Fishing around Knoxville is an angler’s paradise! No matter if you’re an experienced caster or weekend hobbist. Knoxville and the surrounding counties host an abundance of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs with a wide variety of fishing experiences year-round. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from how to get a fishing license, to where to fish, what to catch, and how to launch your boat.

Things to Know

Before you start, make sure to get your Tennessee fishing license. You can purchase licenses through the TWRA Go Outdoors site, the TWRA mobile app, at most sporting goods stores, or at Walmart. There are variety of license types, but the most common are an Annual Fishing License (Resident or Non-Resident), 1-Day or 3-Day Tourist Licenses, or a Sportsman Licenses for added hunting and trapping privileges. Youth under 13 can fish without a license and the state host a few license-free days per year.

Another must-have app for fishing area rivers, especially near dams, is the TVA app. It includes release times for each dam. There are also numerous warning s

Best Fishing Lakes by County

Knox County

Fort Loudoun Lake

  • Fish: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish

  • Boat Launches:

    • Concord Park: Public ramp, parking, and picnic area

    • Ned McWherter Park: Easy river access near downtown Knoxville

  • Tips: Great for spring bass fishing and night catfishing

Melton Hill Lake

  • Fish: Striped bass, sauger, musky, crappie

  • Launch Sites:

    • Melton Hill Park: Excellent launch with restrooms

    • Bull Run Park: Also suitable for kayaks and paddle craft

  • Note: This TVA reservoir is cooler, deeper, and ideal for summer fishing

Roane County

Watts Bar Lake

  • Fish: Striper, largemouth bass, crappie, sauger, blue catfish

  • Boat Ramps:

    • Caney Creek Marina: Full-service with bait, fuel, and dock slips

    • Kingston City Park: Easy ramp with ample parking

  • Hotspots: Chickamauga Dam tailwaters for aggressive gamefish

Blount County

Tellico Lake

  • Fish: Smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, trout in upper Tellico River

  • Boat Access:

    • Louisville Landing Park: Popular launch with deep water

    • Tellico Dam Reservation: TVA launch with scenic views

  • Local Insight: Try rocky points near the dam for smallmouth early morning

Little River (Fly Fishing)

  • Fish: Rainbow, brown, and brook trout (especially in the Great Smoky Mountains NP)

  • Access: Walk-in only, fly fishing recommended

  • Best Times: Late spring through fall

Campbell County

Norris Lake

  • Fish: Walleye, striped bass, largemouth, and black crappie

  • Popular Boat Launches:

    • Sequoyah Marina: Ramp, rentals, restaurant

    • Indian Creek Boat Dock: Launch and supplies available

  • Water Clarity: Very clear—fish deeper in summer months

Jefferson County

Douglas Lake

  • Fish: Crappie, largemouth, white bass, bluegill

  • Boat Ramps:

    • Dandridge Dock: Public launch in historic Dandridge

    • Shady Grove: Smaller ramp with close fishing structure

  • Seasonal Tip: One of Tennessee’s best crappie lakes, especially in March-April

Additional Fishing Tips & Resources

  • When to Fish: Spring and fall offer the best action, but night fishing in summer is popular.

  • Live Bait vs. Artificial: Minnows, worms, and chicken liver are popular for catfish. Crankbaits, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits work well for bass.

  • Kayak Fishing: Most lakes above have calm coves and creeks ideal for kayak anglers.

  • Boat Permits: Most TVA lakes are free to launch, but some parks or marinas may charge a small fee.

Summary

Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee counties are a dream for freshwater anglers. With easy boat access, diverse fisheries, and scenic mountain views, there’s a spot for every skill level. Be sure to check lake levels and weather conditions before heading out—and don’t forget your fishing license!

Whether you're after a trophy striper or a peaceful day floating for panfish, the waters of Knox, Roane, Blount, Campbell, and Jefferson counties won’t disappoint.