Fishing Pickwick Lake

AKA: Pickwick Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Pickwick Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Pickwick Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Pickwick Lake, TN

Pickwick Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Pickwick Lake is a well-known bass fishing lake, and home to many national bass tournaments. Thanks to great fisheries management by The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency the bass population is healthy with big numbers and sizes. Largemouth and spotted bass typically play a role in tournaments, but smallmouth bass do too. Smallies are a favorite of many locals at Pickwick Lake. 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. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Pickwick Lake. They school together so when you find them you may catch both species. Black crappie generally produce the bigger "slabs". Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. 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. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Pickwick Lake Popular Fish - Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are continuing to grow to monster sizes in Pickwick Lake. The state record blue catfish is over 120 pounds. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive spring through summer, around any kind of structure. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

Pickwick Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

A favorite for local and national bass tournaments, Pickwick Lake is a 43,000-acre lake on the southern border of Tennessee. Pickwick annually makes the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes in the USA. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are the featured species here. Current plays a major role in locating bass here. When there is current, look for fish out on the main lake. In times of no current the fish move into the coves. When the fish are shallow, areas with vegetation can be very productive.

Pickwick Lake is widely known for its outstanding bass fishing. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass are abundant in the lake. In addition to bass, the lake supports other popular fish species. Crappie fishing is excellent, with both black and white crappie offering anglers ample opportunities to fill their stringers. The lake is also home to channel, blue and flathead catfish.

Primary fish species residing in Pickwick Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Pickwick Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Pickwick State Park Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoons
731 689-5175

Marinas

Pickwick State Park Marina
State Park Rd
Counce, TN 38326
731 689-5175

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Pickwick Landing State Park Boat Ramp
Located in the park, at the south end of the Pickwick Dam, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.