Fishing Cherokee Lake

AKA: Cherokee Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Cherokee Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
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Cherokee Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Cherokee Lake, TN

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at Cherokee Lake, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency give smallies good marks here due to great fisheries management. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring during the spawn, mornings in summer, and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Crappie Fishing

Fishing for both black and white crappie is popular at Cherokee Lake. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools, some containing bragging size crappie. 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. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. 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.

Hybrid Striped Bass Fishing

Hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Cherokee Lake, as they are plentiful and grow to bragging size. As a hybrid of striped bass and white bass, they have great potential for spawning massive numbers and growing to large sizes. Fishing for hybrid stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and schools of hybrid striped bass are likely to be in the area. In summer they will usually be around 30 feet deep or less. Fish finders improve your odds of locating both bait and wipers. Live bait is very very effective here, and these chubby fish can be caught year round. Striped bass also can be caught here.

Cherokee Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

Cherokee Lake is a scenic reservoir where fishing is especially good. This is a 30,000-acre impoundment in the northeast part of the state. Striped bass, walleye, sauger, saugeye, bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish all thrive in these forage infested waters. Check out fishing reports for popular species at Cherokee Lake. Whether fishing from shore or from a boat, fish seem to be everywhere along these 390 miles of shoreline, especially in spring. In both hotter and colder months the fish tend to school deeper on the many channels, ledges, points and humps throughout the lake. There are multiple marinas and boat docks offering products and services for boaters and anglers. Plenty of boat launch ramps are distributed around the lake for convenient launching of all types of boats - from canoes and kayaks to larger pleasure and fishing boats.

Primary fish species residing in Cherokee Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Cherokee Lake Amenities

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

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