UTERWalleye fishing in Tennessee freshwater
In Tennessee freshwater, walleye peak March–April and November and are around year-round, spawning in March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Spawn in the river shoals; Norris and Watauga tailwaters.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Walleye in Tennessee freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryArrivingWalleye run up the Holston, the Watauga and the Caney Fork.
- MarchSpawningSpawn in the river shoals; Norris and Watauga tailwaters.
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish walleye 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 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 34–78°F water, best at 55–70°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch walleye in Tennessee freshwater?
Peak season is March–April and November, with fish spawning in March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Walleye are here year-round. March: Spawn in the river shoals; Norris and Watauga tailwaters.
Where do walleye hold in Tennessee freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, river, bridge, dock / pilings — around Dale Hollow, Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake, Norris Lake, Reelfoot Lake, South Holston River.
What is the best bait for walleye in Tennessee freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), leeches, nightcrawlers. 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. 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 walleye 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 walleye · Tennessee fresh water, the whole year