Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Tennessee
Check regulations
Check regulations
Year-round
Overview
Dale Hollow Lake produced the world-record smallmouth bass (11 lbs 15 oz) in 1955.
The Elk River below Tims Ford Dam is a premier smallmouth stream.
Clear highland reservoirs throughout the Cumberland Plateau hold quality smallmouth.
Suspending jerkbaits in winter on clear highland lakes produce the biggest fish of the year.
Best Waters in Tennessee
- Dale Hollow Lake — World-record smallmouth lake with ultra-clear water and rocky, bluff-lined banks.
- Center Hill Lake — Clear highland reservoir with quality smallmouth on rock points and bluff walls.
- Elk River — Tailwater stream below Tims Ford Dam with outstanding wading and float trips for smallmouth.
- Pickwick Lake — Tennessee River lake with current-swept shoals holding big smallmouth.
Local Techniques & Baits
Techniques
- Jerkbait fishing
- Drop shot
- Tube jig
- Topwater walking bait
- Grub on jig head
Baits & Lures
- Megabass Vision 110
- Roboworm Straight Tail
- Gitzit tube (smoke)
- Heddon Zara Spook
- Yamamoto grub
Seasonal Guide for Tennessee
SpringSpring Fishing
Pre-spawn March-April on rocky flats. Jerkbaits and tube jigs produce quality smallmouth.
SummerSummer Fishing
Deep rock structure in 15-30 feet. Drop shots and grubs on current-swept points are effective.
FallFall Fishing
Smallmouth feed aggressively on crawfish and shad. Crankbaits and topwaters on rocky banks.
WinterWinter Fishing
Trophy season on highland reservoirs. Suspending jerkbaits on main-lake points produce giants.
Regulations
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current regulations with Tennessee Fish & Wildlife. Information shown was last updated 2025-01-01.
Specific regulations for smallmouth bass in Tennessee are not listed in our database. Please check the official Tennessee regulations for current rules.