Many anglers are surprised to learn that Tennessee offers some of the best walleye fishing in the South. Walleye are especially plentiful in reservoirs within the Tennessee River system.
Walleye are native to Tennessee, as are the closely related sauger. Both species share similar habits and habitats, though both were nearly eliminated from the state by the creation of dams on most of its major rivers.
Thankfully, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) stocking programs largely restored both sauger and walleye in Tennessee, particularly in the large impoundments that now occupy many of their home rivers.
Watauga Lake
Stocked consistently with walleye since 1985, Watauga Lake has earned a reputation as one of the best walleye lakes in Tennessee. Anglers pull an impressive number of 7- and 8-pound walleye from this 6,430-acre reservoir in Northeast Tennessee.
Fishing here isn’t always easy, and the best bite is almost always after dark. Mid-to-late spring offers prime nighttime action, as walleye key in on spawning alewives in shallow water, particularly near the upper ends of the lake.
The walleye spawn in late winter is also very productive. By the time water temperatures hit 50 degrees, walleye will be up the Watauga and Elk Rivers. The spot where Roan Creek meets the Watauga River is especially good.
As in most lakes, summer is more difficult, but anglers can still catch walleye on main lake points and the mouths of tributaries.
Try trolling worm harness rigs slowly and close to the bottom.
Center Hill Lake
Built in 1948, East Tennessee’s Center Hill Lake is an 18,220-acre reservoir consisting of a broad, open main body and a long, meandering river arm extending to the Great Falls Dam on the Caney Fork River.
Though it hasn’t always enjoyed a great reputation for walleye fishing, consistent stocking has transformed the fishery to the point that walleye weighing 2 to 5 pounds are abundant.
During the summer months, anglers regularly catch walleye between 20 and 30 feet deep, particularly on main lake flats near structure like humps, points and ledges.
Trolling a worm harness rig is the most effective method during the warmer months.
But early spring is the real prime time for walleye here, as fish head upriver and congregate in the Blue Hole area near Rock Island State Park.
In early March, they will readily bite Rapala crankbaits, curly tail grubs and live bait.
Norris Lake
Dating to 1936, Norris Lake has the distinction of being the first reservoir to be built by the Tennessee Valley Authority. This 34,200-acre impoundment on the Clinch and Powell rivers is also one of the state’s most heavily-stocked walleye lakes.
It’s a sprawling reservoir with multiple river and creek arms and a lot of options for walleye hunters. Like most Tennessee lakes, the action peaks in late winter and early spring.
Fishing can be especially good around a full moon and new moon in February and March (most fish are affected by lunar phases, but walleye more so than most). Trolling the Clinch River arm is productive this time of year.
With annual winter drawdowns, lake levels fluctuate by as much as 45 feet throughout the year.
In late spring, as the lake reaches full pool, fish the inundated wood and vegetation on flats above the river channel with crankbaits after dark.
Norris is among several lakes on this list that also offer excellent fishing for striped bass.
More: Complete Guide to Norris Lake Fishing
Chickamauga Lake
Sauger were stocked for many years in Chickamauga Lake, a 36,200-acre reservoir on the Tennessee River just north of Chattanooga. The TWRA switched to walleye stocking in 2014.
Still, sauger continue to sustain themselves through natural reproduction even as walleye have become considerably more abundant.
Chickamauga Lake is immediately downriver from Watts Bar Lake, and the best fishing is in the tailwater formed by the Watts Bar Dam.
Anglers will catch some walleye and sauger at the upper end of the lake throughout the colder months. But as is typical in Tennessee reservoirs, the action peaks in February and March as fish from farther down the lake head upstream.
Boat ramps and bank access are available just below the Watts Bar Dam.
If fishing by boat, try drifting or trolling bait over rocky mid-river shoals.
Bank anglers also catch plenty of walleye along rocky banks in the Eaves Bluff area a little farther down the lake.
Chickamauga Lake also is rightfully famous among Tennessee bass fishing lakes.
More: Complete Guide to Fishing at Chickamauga Lake
Dale Hollow Reservoir
Extending across the Kentucky state line and encompassing 27,700 acres of water, Dale Hollow Reservoir is best known for its exceptional smallmouth bass fishing. Relatively few anglers target walleye here.
But walleye are heavily stocked, and fish weighing 3 or 4 pounds are common.
From February into March, the best action is on the Obey River arm, particularly in the East Fork Obey River, which supports one of the most significant spawning runs.
When shad and alewives spawn in April and May, many anglers catch walleye at night on the main lake. Focus on 10-foot depths, using lights to attract baitfish and stickbaits to attract walleye.
The bite shifts a little deeper in summer, and the best tactic during the warmer months is trolling worm harness rigs. Work the 15- to 30-foot depth range, with a focus on areas where a major creek channel abuts a nearby flat.
Don’t be completely surprised is one of Tennessee’s biggest muskies grabs your walleye lure.
Old Hickory Lake
Located in the northern part of Middle Tennessee, Old Hickory Lake is a 22,500-acre impoundment on the Cumberland River. A 25-pound walleye caught here in 1960 is still recognized as the world record for the species.
Walleye continue to be stocked annually, but these days Old Hickory Lake is better known for sauger than walleye. Winter is the best time to target them, though it’s worth noting that the two species commonly share habitat and respond to the same baits.
Old Hickory is an exceptionally long, riverine reservoir, and the best walleye and sauger fishing is at its upper end below the Cordell Hull Dam. Fish the eddies on the lock side of the dam with shad imitations.
Steep drop-offs at the mouths of feeder creeks are also key spots, particularly the larger creeks that create embayments off the main lake. Second Creek and Jennings Fork Creek are among the best.
Cheatham Lake
Located right below Old Hickory Lake on the Cumberland River, 7,450-acre Cheatham Lake has a lot in common with its larger neighbor. Cheatham Lake is a long, snake-like reservoir that very much retains the character of a river as it flows through the Nashville area.
And much like Old Hickory, Cheatham Lake supports both walleye and sauger, with the latter being more common. Catching a mixed bag is to be expected, and key areas are drop-offs at the mouths of creeks and embayments.
The go-to tactic is bouncing a jig along the bottom. A white or chartreuse curly tail grub is the standard jig adornment, though live shad or other bait fish can tempt more strikes on slow days.
The tailwater below Old Hickory Dam can be productive throughout the cooler months.
Access is available on both the generator side and the lock side, and casting in and around boils and eddies can produce good catches on either bank.
This tailwater section also has some of Tennessee’s best catfishing, although you might want to catch and release them due to consumption warnings.
Tims Ford Lake
One of Tennessee’s most overlooked walleye fisheries, 10,600-acre Tims Ford Lake is an impoundment of the Elk River in the south-central part of the state. Walleye fingerlings are stocked here annually and grow quickly.
Tims Ford Lake has little vegetation, but its abundant stumps and timber usually hold walleye in spring. Typical baits like jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers work well.
Some of the best walleye fishing is at the lower end of the lake, from the dam up to around Tims Ford State Park. In summer, walleye will usually orient themselves right where the bottom meets the thermocline, usually 15 to 18 feet.
Some of the best fishing here is in fall, as the lake is drawn down for the winter. Try fishing vertically with a jigging spoon along steep drop-offs and woody cover near the banks.
Watts Bar Lake
Created with the 1942 completion of the Watts Bar Dam, Watts Bar Lake is a large reservoir that spans 39,600 acres on the Tennessee River. Walleye have been stocked here since 2011, and sauger are sustained by natural reproduction.
The tailwater below the Watts Bar Dam—which forms the headwaters of Chickamauga Lake—is better known for walleye fishing. Still, Watts Bar Lake offers some excellent walleye action, too, especially at the upper ends of the reservoir in late winter and early spring.
During the spawning season, walleye congregate below the Fort Loudoun Dam at the upper end of Watts Bar Lake, and will readily bite minnow-tipped jigs. There is excellent bank access below the dam.
The upper end of Watts Bar Lake can also provide solid walleye and sauger fishing in fall, especially around dusk and after dark. Focus on the stretch from the Fort Loudoun Dam down to the I-75 bridge.