Fishing At Nickajack Lake

AKA: Nickajack Reservoir

What to fish for...

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 Nickajack Reservoir in Tennessee.

Flowing through the Tennessee River Gorge, Nickajack Lake is a 10,370-acre reservoir in the southeast part of the state. The lake meanders through the city of Chattanooga, and has early 180 miles of shoreline. There's over a dozen places to launch pleasure boats, pontoon boats and fishing boats. There are plenty of places to fish, and plenty of fish to find - whether you fish from shore or from a boat, kayak or canoe. Bass, crappie, striped bass, catfish, walleye, sunfish, paddlefish, and other species reside in Nickajack Reservoir in healthy numbers.

Primary fish species residing in Nickajack Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Nickajack Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
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

Fishing Boat Rentals

Hales Bar Marina & Resort
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 942-9000

Marinas

Hales Bar Marina & Resort
1265 Hales Bar Rd
Guild, TN 37340
423 942-9000

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bennett Lake Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off Bennett Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Boat Ramp, TVA Racoon Mountain Pump Station
Located in the western section of the lake, south side, off Racoon Mountain Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Hale's Bar Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, south side, off Hale Bar Road, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located just east of the dam, off Macedonia Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Shellmound Boat Ramp
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking. It is located in the northeast section of the lake, north side, off Highway 27.

Suck Creek Boat Launch
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. It is located in the northwest corner of the lake, just east of the dam.

Sullivan's Landing TWRA Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the east side of the lake, off Highway 41, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.