Fishing Norris Lake
AKA: Norris Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Norris Lake, TN

Striped Bass Fishing
Long known as a striped bass haven, Norris Lake has been delivering big stripers, and good numbers, for many years. This is a lake where even an angler with little experience has the opportunity to catch a monster striped bass. Hiring a professional guide is a great idea to quickly learn a few tricks of the trade on this lake. 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.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at Norris Lake, as they are plentiful and relatively easy to catch. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, 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. Night fishing for smallmouth here can deliver some very nice stringers. Other bass to be caught here include largemouth bass and spotted bass.
Walleye Fishing
Thanks to good fisheries management, a healthy population of walleye are now thriving in the waters of Norris Lake this year. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate on flats and ledges off the river channels. When shallow small crankbaits that imitate the baitfish can be productive. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners. tipped with live bait, or trolling long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.
Norris 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, 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.Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. 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.
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
Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.
Marinas
Click here for marinas available at this lake.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.
Fishing License
Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Norris Dam State Park Campground - 865 426-7461
Loyston Point Campground - 865 494-9369
Big Ridge State Park Campground - 865 992-5523
Hickory Star Campground - 865 992-5241
Powell Valley Resort Campground - 423 562-5975
Lost Creek Campground - 865 278-3539
Beach Island Resort & Marina Campground - 865 992-3091
Lakeside Campground - 423 626-2320
Cedar Grove Marina & Campground - 865 278-3131
Bunch Hollow Campground & Resort - 865 919-2427
Norris Lake, TN Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Norris Lake
Norris Dam State Park
125 Village Green Circle
Rocky Top, Tennessee 37769
865 426-7461
Fishing lakes in each state.
061925
Norris Reservoir in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE


Exceptional striped bass fishing in northeast TN.