Fishing Boone Lake

AKA: Boone Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Boone Lake Fishing Video
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Boone Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Boone Lake, TN

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Boone Lake offers good fishing for bass. While the lake has has largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, largemouth bass are by far the most prominent. Some quality bass roam Boone Lake, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. 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 fishing Boone Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass also reside here in good numbers.

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Boone Lake. The current state record striper is over 65 pounds. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Boone Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 120 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive summer around any kind of structure. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

Boone Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, white bass, striped bass and hybrid striped bass at Boone Lake in Tennessee.

An excellent destination for all types of outdoor activities, water sports, boating and fishing, Boone Lake has much to offer. This 4,500-acre impoundment in the north-central part of the state is easily accessible via I-81 or I-26. Several marinas on the lake provide boat rentals, boating and fishing gear, dining, and entertainment. Boat ramps, marinas, docks and campgrounds are located all around the lake. Known for its excellent bass and striper fishing, Boone Lake has plenty of other angling opportunities as well. Catfish, crappie and sunfish are all abundant in this reservoir. Additionally, the TWRA stocks the lake with rainbow and brown trout. With over 160 miles of shoreline there's plenty of places to fish from the bank and all types of boats, including canoes, kayaks, bass boats, family boats and pontoon boats. There is plenty of structure, creek channels, ledges and humps around the lake to provide deep holding areas for fish during summer and winter. In spring and fall most species move shallower to feed and spawn.

Fishing report for Boone Lake

Primary fish species residing in Boone Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Boone Lake Amenities

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

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Fishing Boat Rentals

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Marinas

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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