UTERSmallmouth bass fishing in Tennessee freshwater
In Tennessee freshwater, smallmouth bass peak October–April and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Dale Hollow and Center Hill — float-and-fly on the bluff ends in the cold.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Smallmouth bass in Tennessee freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakDale Hollow and Center Hill — float-and-fly on the bluff ends in the cold.
- FebruaryPeakDale Hollow trophy months; hair jigs on the clay points.
- MarchPeakPre-spawn on the pea-gravel banks.
- AprilSpawningOn the beds; Dale Hollow and Norris.
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish smallmouth bass 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 smallmouth bass
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- 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.
- LeechesHooked once through the sucker end on a #8 to #4 hook under a slip bobber or on a live-bait rig — walleye and smallmouth can't leave them alone.
- 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.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–82°F water, best at 60–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch smallmouth bass in Tennessee freshwater?
Peak season is October–April, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Smallmouth bass are here year-round. January: Dale Hollow and Center Hill — float-and-fly on the bluff ends in the cold.
Where do smallmouth bass hold in Tennessee freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, reservoir, bridge, dock / pilings — around Dale Hollow, Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake, Norris Lake, Reelfoot Lake, South Holston River.
What is the best bait for smallmouth bass in Tennessee freshwater?
Live bait: crayfish, minnows (fatheads, shiners), leeches, nightcrawlers. Crayfish: Hooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye. 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 smallmouth bass 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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