Chickamauga Lake
A Tennessee River lake famous for trophy largemouth bass and record-class catches.
Depth & Structure
Tennessee River reservoir, 36 miles long — depths from shallow coves to 120 feet near dam, but most bass ledge fishing is 15-25 feet; spring spawning flats 2-8 feet, summer offshore ledges/humps and grass in 10-15 feet, deeper split to 35-45 feet
Best Lures
Soft plastics, crankbaits and topwater in spring shallows, jigging spoons and Texas-rigged worms on ledges, frogs/toads over matted vegetation, bladed jigs on grass lines, drop-shots for deep fish, wacky/Texas stickbaits under docks
Best Baits
artificials primary
Gear to Bring
Medium-heavy baitcasting for jigs/frogs/ledges, medium spinning for drop-shot/shaky work, 12-20 lb fluoro/mono, heavy braid for mats
Local Tips
['Local rule: there are always bass shallow on Chickamauga, even as most move to 15-25 foot ledges after spawn', 'Trophy window is pre-spawn late January through early March; largemouth spawn March-May at 68-72 degrees']
Shop the Rig
Related Water
Fish photos: largemouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · smallmouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · catfish — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.