Guide To Fishing At Norris Lake

AKA: Norris Reservoir

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, striped bass, muskie, paddlefish and sauger at Norris Lake in Tennessee.

Notorious for exceptional striped bass fishing, Norris Lake is a sprawling, 34,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, with a wide variety of fish species. Stripers exceeding 50 pounds are common here. Anglers can also fish for bass, crappie, trout, white bass, walleye, muskie, sunfish, and many other species. And, the fishing is highly rated for most all species in the lake. With over 800 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of places to wet a line.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Rental Boats
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

Norris Lake, located in eastern Tennessee, is a premier fishing destination that offers anglers a diverse range of fish species, excellent boating opportunities, and picturesque camping locations. This expansive reservoir spans over 34,000 acres and is formed by the Clinch and Powell Rivers, providing ample space for fishing enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.

Norris Lake is renowned for its exceptional bass fishing. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the primary targets for anglers, and the lake's structure, including points, ledges, and submerged brush piles, provides ideal habitats for these species. Anglers can employ various techniques such as casting with crankbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics to entice the bass. The lake's healthy bass population and the potential for trophy-sized catches make it a popular destination for both recreational and tournament anglers.

In addition to bass, Norris Lake supports a variety of other popular fish species. Crappie fishing is excellent, with both black and white crappie providing anglers with plenty of action. Anglers can find success near submerged brush piles, fallen trees, and bridge pilings where crappie often gather. The lake is also home to catfish, including channel catfish and blue catfish, which can be targeted using various baits and techniques. Other fish species found in the lake include sauger, walleye, and sunfish, providing anglers with additional fishing opportunities.

Boating is a favored activity on Norris Lake, thanks to its expansive water surface and numerous marinas. Anglers and boating enthusiasts can launch their boats from public ramps and enjoy exploring the lake's many coves, inlets, and open waters. Boaters can engage in water sports activities, leisurely cruises, or simply relax and take in the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding mountains and wooded shoreline.

Camping facilities near Norris Lake provide anglers and outdoor enthusiasts with the opportunity to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. Campgrounds offer a range of amenities, including campsites, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Camping near Norris Lake allows visitors to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the lake, bond with nature, and experience the beauty of the surrounding forests.

Norris Lake's combination of excellent fishing, boating opportunities, and scenic camping locations make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee. Whether you're targeting bass, crappie, or catfish, enjoying a leisurely boat ride, or camping by the lakeside, Norris Lake provides a serene and enjoyable environment for all who visit.

With all the state parks and campgrounds around the lake, it's easy to find a place to fish from shore, or launch a kayak or canoe. Numerous boat launch ramps make it easy for launching larger fishing and pleasure boats. The lake is a maze of points, creek channels, ledges, humps and islands for the fish to call home. In spring and fall there is lots of shallow activity. In summer and winter the fish tend to school in deeper water around channels and structure. The lower end of the lake is a popular area for big stripers, year round.

Primary fish species residing in Norris Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Norris 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

Beach Island Resort & Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
865 992-3091

Hickory Star Resort & Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
865 992-5241

Indian River Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 562-5290

Lone Mountain Marina & Campground
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 626-9437

Mountain Lake Marina & Campground
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoons
865 630-1221

Norris Dam Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
865 494-8138

Norris Landing Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoons
423 626-1818

Sequoyah Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
865 494-7984

Stardust Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
865 494-7641

Straight Creek Boat Dock
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 626-5826

Waterside Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
865 494-9649

Whitman Hollow Boat Dock
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoons
423 562-9941

Marinas

Beach Island Resort & Marina
170 Beach Island Rd
Maynardville, TN 37807
865 992-3091

Deerfield Cove Marina
156 Launch Ln
LaFollette, TN 37766
423 907-9755

Flat Hollow Marina & Resort
185 Flat Hollow, Dock Circle
Speedwell, TN 37870
423 562-8314

Hickory Star Resort & Marina
1360 Hickory Star Rd
Maynardville, TN 37807
865 992-5241

Indian River Marina
740 Indian River Boat Dock Rd
Jacksboro, TN 37757
423 562-5290

Lone Mountain Marina & Campground
325 Lone Mountain Boat Dock Ln
Tazewell, TN 37879
423 626-9437

Mountain Lake Marina & Campground
136 Campground Rd
Rocky Top, TN 37769
865 630-1221

Norris Dam Marina
1604 Norris Fwy
Norris, TN 37828
865 494-8138

Norris Landing Marina
1015 Marina Landing Road
Tazewell, TN 37879
423 626-1818

Sequoyah Marina
336 Lakeview Ln
Andersonville, TN 37705
865 494-7984

Stardust Marina
149 Stardust Ln
Andersonville, TN 37705
865 494-7641

Straight Creek Boat Dock
775 Straight Creek Dock Rd
New Tazewell, TN 37825
423 626-5826

Twin Cove Resort and Marina
1835 Ridge Rd
Caryville, TN 37714
423 566-0976

Waterside Marina
408 Dock Rd
Andersonville, TN 37705
865 494-9649

Whitman Hollow Boat Dock
1203 Whitman Hollow Rd
LaFollette, TN 37766
423 562-9941

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Anderson County Park Boat Access
Located in Anderson County Park, mid lake on the south side, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Big Creek Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and plenty of parking.

Blue Mud Boat Ramp
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with limited gravel parking. It is located in Big Ridge State Park, in the southeast sector of the lake, off Highway 61.

Judge Willard J. Brogan's TVA Boat Ramp
This is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and lots of gravel parking. It is located in the northeast sector of the lake, on the north side.

Point 19 Boat Ramp
Located on the west side of the main body of water, just north of Loyston Point Recreation Area, this is a large launch area with a four-lane, concrete ramp, a dock and tons of paved parking.

Mountain Lake Marina Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest sector of the lake, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Norris Dam Boat Launch Ramp
Located at Norris Dam Marina, immediately west of the dam, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Straight Creek Boat Dock Launch Area
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and lots of paved parking. It is located in the northwest corner of the lake.

Whitman Hollow Public Boat Launch
This is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking. It is located in the back of Whitman Hollow, in the northwest section of the lake.

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.