UTERBlue catfish fishing in Tennessee freshwater
In Tennessee freshwater, blue catfish peak October–July and are around year-round, spawning in June–July, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Below the Mississippi River chutes and the TVA dams — winter trophies.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blue catfish in Tennessee freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakBelow the Mississippi River chutes and the TVA dams — winter trophies.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MayPeak
- JuneSpawning
- JulySpawning
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish blue catfish near Dale Hollow, Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake
Dale Hollow's smallmouth, Chickamauga's giant largemouth, Kentucky Lake's crappie and ledges, the TVA tailwaters' trout and sauger, and Reelfoot's crappie.
What to use for blue catfish
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 40–90°F water, best at 55–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue catfish in Tennessee freshwater?
Peak season is October–July, with fish spawning in June–July (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Blue catfish are here year-round. January: Below the Mississippi River chutes and the TVA dams — winter trophies.
Where do blue catfish hold in Tennessee freshwater?
Look on river, reservoir, lake, bridge — around Dale Hollow, Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake, Norris Lake, Reelfoot Lake, South Holston River.
What is the best bait for blue catfish in Tennessee freshwater?
Live bait: nightcrawlers, minnows (fatheads, shiners). Nightcrawlers: Whole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for blue catfish in Tennessee freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and change — read the current rule at https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing-regs.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing/fishing-licenses.html.
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All about blue catfish · Tennessee fresh water, the whole year