Fishing Center Hill Lake

AKA: Center Hill Reservoir

Most Popular Fish
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Rental Boats
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Center Hill Lake Fishing Video
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Center Hill Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Center Hill Lake, TN

Largemouth Bass

Currently, largemouth bass are thriving in Center Hill Lake due to excellent fisheries management by TWRA, and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure. Other bass to be caught here include smallmouth bass and spotted bass.

Black Crappie

Black crappie congregate in good numbers throughout Center Hill Lake, and they are big and healthy this year. Crappie fishing has been excellent and they are running in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home.

Walleye

Thanks to good fisheries management, along with annual stockings, a healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of Center Hill Lake this year. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate on flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, muskie and paddlefish at Center Hill Lake in Tennessee.

With over 400 miles of shoreline, picturesque Center Hill Lake is a vacation paradise in central Tennessee. This 18,000-acre lake offers virtually any water sport you enjoy, as well as fishing and other outdoor activities. There are fishing docks and fish-cleaning stations for public use, and multiple boat ramps located all around the lake. Campgrounds, some with RV hookups, are conveniently scattered around the lake. The lake is a maze of points, channels, ledges and islands which makes for excellent fish habitat. Fishing from shore, piers, docks, canoes, kayaks, and every imaginable type fishing boat can be productive here. Crappie, bass, and walleye fishing are excellent. The catfish, trout, sunfish and striped bass fishing all receive high honors as well. Additionally the lake has populations of paddlefish and muskie for those who like to catch giant fish.

Center Hill Lake, located in central Tennessee, is a picturesque reservoir that offers fantastic fishing opportunities, as well as boating and camping experiences. This 18,220-acre lake, situated on the Caney Fork River, attracts anglers of all levels with its diverse fish populations and scenic beauty.

Center Hill Lake is known for its abundance of fish species, providing anglers with a variety of targets. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are highly sought-after species in the lake, attracting anglers with their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Crappie fishing is also popular, with both black and white crappie found in the lake's submerged brush piles and standing timber. Anglers can also target catfish, including channel catfish and blue catfish, as well as other species like walleye, sunfish, and sauger. The lake's diverse ecosystem ensures that anglers have ample opportunities to land their preferred catches.

Center Hill Lake's combination of exceptional fishing, boating, and camping opportunities make it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee. Whether you're casting a line for bass or crappie, cruising the calm waters on a boat, or camping by the lakeside, Center Hill Lake offers a serene and memorable experience for all who visit.

Primary fish species residing in Center Hill Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Center Hill Lake Amenities

Marina: NINE
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramps: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating is a favorite activity on Center Hill Lake, with its crystal-clear waters and scenic shoreline providing a captivating setting for water enthusiasts. Anglers can launch their boats from the lake's public ramps and explore the vast expanse of the lake. Center Hill Lake offers plenty of space for leisurely boating, water skiing, tubing, and other water sports activities. Anglers can navigate the lake in search of prime fishing spots, taking advantage of its various coves, points, and submerged structures.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Center Hill Marina & Yacht Club
Rentals: Pontoon boats
615 548-4315

Cookeville Boat Dock Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
931 858-4008

Edgar Evins Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
931 858-5695

Hidden Harbor Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, deck boats and pontoons
615 597-8800

Hurricane Marina
Rentals: Pontoons and runabouts
931 981-9800

Marinas

Center Hill Marina & Yacht Club
450 Cove Hollow Cir
Lancaster, TN 38569
615 548-4315

Cookeville Boat Dock Marina
13800 Cookeville Boatdock Rd
Baxter, TN 38544
931 858-4008

Edgar Evins Marina
2100 Edgar Evins State Park Rd
Silver Point, TN 38582
931 858-5695

Hidden Harbor Marina
2685 Casey Cove Rd
Smithville, TN 37166
615 597-8800

Hurricane Marina
1287 Floating Mill Rd
Silver Point, TN 38582
931 981-9800

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Boat Ramp Center Hill Lake
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Cookeville Boat Dock
This is two, one-lane, concrete ramps with docks and paved parking. It is located mid lake, on the north side, in the northeast corner of the lake.

Holiday Haven Boat Launch
Located mid lake, on the west side of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, gravel parking

River Watch Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, paved parking.

Silver Point Ramp
Located in Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area, on the north side of the lake, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Fishing Guides On Center Hill Lake

Brian Carper’s Guide Service - bass, crappie, hybrids

If you offer fishing guide services on Center Hill Lake, please contact us for a free listing to be posted here.

Center Hill Lake Fishing Video

Fishing License

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.

Camping facilities around Center Hill Lake offer an opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the area. Campgrounds provide a range of amenities, including campsites, picnic areas, restrooms, and even hiking trails. Whether pitching a tent or parking an RV, camping near Center Hill Lake allows anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to extend their fishing trips and enjoy the tranquility of the lake and its surrounding forests.