Fishing Watauga Lake

AKA: Watauga Reservoir

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

Popular Fish Species Watauga Lake, TN

Watauga Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

This year, we find that largemouth bass are still the top target of anglers fishing Watauga Lake. Due to excellent fisheries management, the presence of bluegill and gizzard shad, and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass, bass fishing for three species of bass is in great shape. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a good stocking program for nearly four decades, a healthy population of walleye are now thriving in the waters of Watauga Lake this year. May and June, as the water warms into the 50's, tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and migrate up into inflowing rivers and creeks. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, staying close by schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Lake Trout Fishing

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Watauga Lake is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 120 feet or more during Summer and Winter. Good electronics are a big help in locating lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with spoons and numerous other set-ups can also produce good catches.

Watauga Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth and white bass at Watauga Lake in Tennessee.

Along the northeast border of the state, Watauga Lake is a 6,400-acre reservoir that annually makes the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes in the USA. Smallmouth bass, trout and walleye are the favored species here, but the lake also boasts largemouth, spotted and white bass, plus crappie and numerous sunfish, including bluegill. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. Known as a very "bank fishing friendly" lake, there is over 100 miles of shoreline to approach from land or water.

Primary fish species residing in Watauga Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Watauga Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Fish Springs Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 768-2336

Lakeshore Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, runabouts and pontoon boats
423 725-2223

Marinas

Fish Springs Marina
191 Fish Springs Rd
Hampton, TN 37658
423 768-2336

Pioneer Landing Campground Marina
105 Cowan Town Rd
Butler, TN 37640
423 768-3164

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Little Milligan Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, south side, off Moody Circle road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Sink Mountain Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, north side, this is a gravel ramp with limited, gravel parking.

Watauga Dam Boat Ramp And Parking
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. It is located in the northwest corner of the lake, immediately east of the dam.