Fishing Cheatham Lake

AKA: Cheatham Reservoir, Lake Cheatham

Popular Fish Species
Cheatham Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
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Cheatham Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Cheatham Lake, TN

Cheatham Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Cheatham Lake is a popular bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the State of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.

Cheatham Lake Popular Fish - White Crappie

White Crappie Fishing

Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in Cheatham Lake, as they are making a nice comeback this year. The fish population is healthy and crappie fishing is excellent. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate shallow brush and vegetation in Spring and Fall focusing on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out to as deep as 30 to 35 feet, as well as ledges near channels at these depths. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here.

Walleye Fishing

Cheatham Lake is home to a hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy.Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods 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.

Cheatham Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, paddlefish and sauger at Cheatham Lake in Tennessee.

Quality largemouth bass, sauger and white bass are featured species at Cheatham Lake. This 7,400-acre fishery in north-central Tennessee is half way between Clarksville and Nashville. Smallmouth and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, walleye, sunfish and paddlefish also reside in Cheatham Reservoir. This is a great lake to fish from the bank and introduce kids to fishing. The impoundment is a section of the Cumberland River bed and flooded areas along the river. Bass and crappie action, in the shallows, can be fast and furious during spring, while sunfish, white bass and stripers are favorites during summer months when they school in deeper parts of the lake. Public boat ramps are available for launching pleasure and fishing boats. Kayaks, canoes and small watercraft portage is available from many camping and picnicking areas along the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Cheatham Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Cheatham Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Marinas

Harpeth Shoals Marina
230 Warioto Way
Ashland City, TN 37015
615 792-6652

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bluff Creek Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking

Johnson Creek Recreation Area Launch Ramp
This boat ramp is located on the east side of the Old Lock A Road, in Johnson Creek. It is a one-lane, concrete ramp with limited, paved parking.

Pardue Boat Launch
This is located at the junction of the Cumberland River and the Harpeth River, on the south side of the lake. It is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Riverbluff Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located just south of the Cumberland Street Bridge, on the east side of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.