TWRA REGION 4 FISHING REPORTS

CHEROKEE TAIL WATER March 12, 2014

Tail water elevation was 922.52 feet as of March 12, 2014 at 7 AM.  Average hourly discharge rate was 209 cfs.  Surface temperature measured at 8:30 AM below the dam was 42 degrees.   Next day release schedules are available by 6 PM of the current day.

Summary:

The tailrace is a very unique fishery with its ever changing fish habitat dictated by the whims of water releases.  All species of fish react, fortunately positively, to the frequent releases by presenting themselves in the fast current along seams and in depressions waiting for the constant flow of food that the released water brings downstream to them.  Most all species will turn and face upstream toward the flow and actively seek their favorite food fare as it is propelled to their waiting mouths.  This is maximum food intake with least amount of energy expended, a favorite wildlife method of eating known as optimum foraging.  The point here is – don’t be discouraged by water releases on the tailrace as those releases are actually creating and maintaining that wonderful and successful fishery we all enjoy.  Water releases are inconvenient but the fish are thriving partly because of them.  Adapt to and enjoy this great fishery and experience the fine fishing provided.

Rainbow & Brown Trout:  Good

It seems that trout fishing is always good on this tailrace.  This is because of a great number of reasons, one being a large amount of food that is delivered to trout and other fish numerous times daily and most feedings are on a schedule.  We’re talking about water releases here.  Water releases provide all species of fish, as well as other water critters, an enormous buffet of food and its delivered down a narrow channel of water called a tailrace straight into the waiting mouths of fish that lay in wait facing upstream.  This constant food source allows fish to grow large, especially trout.  Trout love to eat flies and a good fly hatch will cause trout to be so active that the water can be turned to froth.  Eventually though, rainbow and brown trout will become holdover fish and will grow to be heavy fish with large girths and lengthy bodies and floating flies will no longer suffice to fill the hungry stomach.  These fish become meat eaters – hunters that target other fish.  It is these fish that anglers seek out and they can be found on this tailrace by those who understand trout.  Don’t just look but observe the water, learn to see and understand the trout and this particular water and you’ll find these big trout.  The water temperature is reliable, the food source is constant and the waterway is visited by only a few anglers at any particular time providing minimal angling pressure.  The result is good fishing.

Smallmouth Bass:  Good

The bass section is still short on enough information to be informative.  Smallmouth bass are being taken but definitive information has not been collected yet.  This section will improve as more smallmouth anglers take to the tailrace this spring.

CHILHOWEE LAKE FISHING REPORTMarch 13, 2014

Water Conditions

The predicted water level is approximately 873 feet above sea level.

The average surface temperature is in the mid 40’s.

Summary

Fishing is starting to pick up and the smallmouth are hitting better as the water temperatures start to climb. Trolling slim bodied plugs like rapalas and other slim bodied minnow imitators is a good way to catch some nice smallmouth. Live minnows are catching some good numbers in about 17 ft. of water close to the rocky banks.  Just a few reports of some Largemouth and Smallmouth bass being caught on shakyhead type lures with black and blue crawfish bodies, and a few being caught on the umbrella rig with minnow bodies such as the Money Minnow. Reports say most fish being caught around some type of structure like submerged timber close to deep water, and where creeks enter the reservoir. Water temperatures seem to be just a couple degrees warmer up in the creeks.

Bass

Improving

3-20 ft.

The bass bite seems to be improving and should continue to improve with the warmer weather and warming water temperatures. Fishing conditions are improving everyday and should continue as long as weather cooperates. The bass seem to be holding close to submerged structure near ledges close to deeper water and near rip rap banks. Troll a rapala or another slim bodied minnow imitating plug and get down around 20 feet deep and troll about 1-2 mph or work the rocky banks with live minnows between 15 and 20 feet.

Trout

Improving

12-20 ft.

The trout bite is picking up a little and you can catch a few using the same techniques used on the smallmouth, whether it be trolling or using live minnows either tightlining or using a float.

DOUGLAS LAKE REPORTMarch 13, 2014

The elevation behind the dam on March 13, 2014 at 4 AM was 957.75 feet above sea level with a discharge rate of 4575 cfs and 53 degree average surface temperature with stained water conditions. Tailwater elevation was 871.38 feet.  Average temperatures include creeks and lakes.

Summary:

It’s interesting to note the water temperature changes throughout the week, especially on the upper lake.  On 3-8-14 a reading of 46 degrees was taken at the Leadvale ramp and 48 degrees on the ninth, 48 degrees on the ninth at the Rankin boat ramp and 52 degrees at Swanns on 3-9-14.  The lake remains highly stained throughout its length.  Crappie and black bass have become active across the lake as well as an increase in sauger and walleye activity.  Walleye have not really started to “run” as of this writing but are being caught in very good numbers.  White bass will arrive shortly.  All the creeks are fishing well as relate to crappie.

Crappie:  Good

As mentioned above, all the creeks are good fishing for crappie.  The big surprise is how fast Muddy Creek turned around from no action to peak crappie activity over night.  Indian Creek is also an excellent crappie location as is McGuire Creek.  Anglers can’t go wrong on their water selection.  Areas below the Dandridge ramp and especially along the left shoreline on the mud flats have been good choices to try for crappie.  Of course, point 18 up to 21 is a hot stretch for crappie.

Angler baits were wide and varied throughout the week for crappie.  A sampling of everything was seen being used on the water for crappie with specific baits selected for a particular situation.  The bobber and minnow rig was most prevalent but at times even this tried and tested method failed, which was observed on Monday afternoon.  Anglers in the know switched to small, one inch shadraps and silver crappie spinners with a gray or green trailer and enjoyed great success.  Many anglers collected their limits on both Saturday and Sunday.  It’s interesting to note that the fish were located at from 10 to 30 feet in most of the creeks.

Sauger/walleye:  Good

Both species are off to a good seasonal start with sauger in the lead.  Sauger catches were heavy early month but walleye have moved right up alongside sauger for numbers caught and have now surpassed their numbers moving into first place.  Anglers are enjoying full limit catches with walleye the predominant fish.

The prime areas on the upper lake are from Swanns Marina upstream to point 21 and to the Leadvale boat ramp if water depth will allow.  Jet boats are now running from Leadvale upstream most of the way to the Rankin ramp.  Key terminology here is “jet boat”.

As with crappie, all sorts of lures are being used for walleye.  The most prevalent is the green jig with pheasant tail as well as weighted minnows.  Other favorite colors are blood red, chartreuse and even white occasionally.  Shadraps have been seen being tossed into the seams along the fast water but jigging seems to be the favorite method used to catch walleye.  Anglers on the faster river sections of the lake are seen using Rapala Husky Jerks, Strike King Redeye Shad, Lindy Stick Jigs and a great little lure, Terminator T spinnerbait which is used by many anglers this season with good results.

Black bass:  Good

Largemouth and smallmouth bass data has only now started to come in due to angler activity with these species.  Bass activity has been on the incline as the water temperatures climbed throughout the report period.

Presently, the main lake is fishing better than the creeks with the least activity on the upper lake.  All shorelines along the main bay area’s are worth a try as are the mouths of creeks.  Bass fishing will remain spotty until the water levels achieve some sort of reliable, consistent depths at least over a reasonable period of time that will allow fish to acclimate to some degree and become predictable.

Lures used throughout the week have been varied with the plastic 8” worm, Carolina rig a favorite.  Retrieves have been slow, very slow across the bottom.  Bass are still lethargic with the cooler water temperatures that linger on the lake.  The temps are rising quickly and black bass will soon be much more active. Deep diving crank baits as well as spinner baits with gold blades have been effective.  Dark colors are recommended and dark green is preferred.

Fish can be found across the lake in primarily bay areas with high and low spots on the bottom.  Rocky points will usually hold large and smallmouth as well as big humps and deep depressions where steep shoreline drop offs exist.

LITTLE RIVER FISHING REPORT March 13, 2014

Water Conditions

The river flow is moderating but still cold.

The water temperature is back down to about 43-45 degrees.

Water flow is about 224 cfs above Townsend and 405 near Maryville.

Summary

The first stocking was done last week but it may take another stocking or two for the trout fishing to get better.  The few anglers that have been able to fish have reported catching a few smallmouth bass along with a few trout, both rainbows and browns. The trout seem to be hitting small dry fly offerings, while the smallmouth prefer little inline spinners. Gold blade panther martins and rooster tail type spinners are good choices.

Bass

Improving

The smallmouth bass are getting more and more active and chasing after shiny sparkling spinners like panther martins with gold blades in number 2 or 3 size. Rooster tails are another good lure choice with gold or silver blades.

Trout

Slow

Trout fishing is a little slow right now. The stocking schedule began last week and fishing should start to improve very soon with stream flow and temperature improving daily.

NORRIS FISHING REPORT March 12, 2014

Water conditions

The water elevation on March 12^th  was 1002.3-feet, which is 11.4-inches lower than last Wednesday’s elevation. The water level is predicted to fall 8.3-inches through Friday, March 14^th. The inflow is 3.350 cfs.

The upper half of the reservoir, and the upper halves of the large creek embayments have been stained, but are clearing. The slightly stained water is warmer than the clearer water found downstream. The river arms and most of the creeks are flowing in with clear, or lightly stained water. The Clinch is showing color from near Point 30 to the islands around Hickory Star. The Powell River arm is stained above Point 14, but is running in with clearer water. Water surface temperatures taken on the lower end, where the water is clear, had dropped to 44 degrees. Upper Cove Creek, Big Creek, Lost Creek, and Davis Creek are stained.

The annual algal bloom is being seen in sections where the water temperature is near 50 degrees. Wind rows of the algae are appearing as brown oily slicks and streaks on the water surface, leading some to believe it is a turnover. The condition is harmless, and can be beneficial to fishermen. Fish may be shallower in areas where the algae restricts sunlight penetration into the water.

Moon phase: Waxing gibbous. The next full moon will be Sunday, March 16^th.

To view photos and Google maps of all access areas on the reservoir, click here or http://tinyurl.com/chm2ts9.

For the Norris lake elevation, inflow rates, and generation times, go to http://www.tva.gov/lakes/noh_r.htm.

Summary

The return of frigid weather cooled the surface a few degrees. Good water color on the upper half of the reservoir provided good crankbait and swim bait fishing in rocky areas.

Crappie catches improved in the backs of the large creeks. Striped bass catches improved on the upper end. Walleye were being caught in the shoals of the Clinch River arm and in a few staging areas farther down from Slate Creek on the Powell.

Species Details

Bluegill/redear

Bluegill: Slow. Shellcracker: Slow.

Bluegill catches are very slow. These fish are 15 to 30-feet deep. Catch them with crickets tightlined to depth on steep, broken rock. Crickets or mealworms are the best for bluegill, the bait tightlined or cast to steeper, broken rock banks where there is shade. For the larger ones, avoid using a float, but cast or tightline with sinkers to get the bait quickly to depth.

Crappie

Fair, improving in the creeks.

5 to 15-feet deep, tight to brush. Or to 20-feet on the bottom in mid-channel in the rear of the larger creek embayments. Troll jigs or grubs tipped with minnows along the bottom, or fish tight to brush early in the morning, or later if the water is heavily stained.

Good lures: Tuffy minnows, small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows, Trout Magnets, or Slider grubs in a variety of colors. Historically good locations to try: Powell River arm channel from Point 15 vicinity to Earl’s Hollow. Davis Creek from its headwaters to a half-mile below Powell Valley Marina. Doaks Creek. Big Creek from Indian River Marina to Campbell County Park. Cove Creek above Twin Cove Marina. Mill Creek, Big Ridge Hollow, Lost Creek above its junction with White Creek. Poor Land Creek. Bear Creek. Flint Creek. Sycamore Creek. The Clinch channel above Point 31.

Largemouth & Spotted Bass

Good in stained sections on main channels and in the warmer, stained creek hollows.

2 to 15-feet. Very close to the shoreline next to wood structure on rocky shorelines in stained sections.

Medium to shallow-running Bandits or Norman crankbaits at less than 15-feet deep, fished parallel and very close to the rocky shorelines. Some on jerk baits and swim baits in the same areas. Tennessee rigs took some close to the rocks on steeper banks.

3-inch plastic grubs (Twister type) or swimbaits (Yum, Yamamoto), close to shoreline rocks on the main channels. Willow-leaf spinners were working in the rocky shoreline areas.

Smallmouth bass

Moderate, improving. Same pattern.

10 to 20-feet deep, close to the bottom on main channel clay and gravel points, and surface to suspended at 20-feet in the channels where bird activity is present.

Clay/mud points and shelves have produced at about 20-feet, bottom depth. Small hair or rubber jigs and swim baits deep on the humps. Tennessee rigs (3-hook restriction for each rod), are working on gravel/clay areas and off the steeper, rocky shorelines on the lower end. Small soft plastic jerkbaits (Assassins, for example) or Spooks casted into the feeding areas have taken breaking fish, depending on the depth fished. Float ‘n fly rigs are taking some, but have been slow to produce on most days.

¼-ounce doll flies (dark green or gray) tipped with minnows are working well along the bottom, at less than 15-feet deep on gently sloping gravel and large rock shorelines, often far from shore where the slope is more gradual.

*REGULATION  FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: June 1^st – October 15^th, one per day, 20-inch minimum length limit. October 16^th – May 31^st, five per day (in combination with largemouth), 18-inch minimum length limit.

Striped bass

Fair.

Surface, or 15 to 25-feet in mid-channel.

These fish are scattered and are hard to locate.

Trolled umbrella rigs are taking most of these fish. (There is a 3-hook restriction for each rod). Troll ½ to 1 oz bucktail jigs, umbrella rigs with trailers in pearl or chartreuse, or  live bait (gizzard shad, shiners, or alewife) tightlined, or trolled with downriggers, to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel especially across the points and humps.

Surface feeding fish activity has been hard to locate. Regardless of the location on the reservoir, if there are flocks of feeding gulls, striped bass are likely in the area, feeding on the same forage. Recent catches came from Cove Creek (lower half), and on the Powell above Point 15.

There is a new, statewide hook regulation in effect. Read it here:  http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/fishing/statewide-limits-regulations/

*REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: November 1st through March 31^st, 1 per day, 36-inch minimum length limit.

Walleye

Moderate.

5 to 15 feet, on the bottom.

Troll or cast doll flies tipped with plastic grubs or night crawlers, or Long Billed Rebels, Thundersticks, Model-A’s, or similar lures along the bottom in pre-spawn areas. The shoals at Indian Creek (Point 34 and above) are starting to produce, but many are still downstream as far as Point 32.

The Powell side is slow, but usually runs a week or two later than the Clinch run. Powell walleye are staging near Greasy Hollow and above, and to the run between Slate Creek and Earl’s Hollow access.