Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)
What to throw right now
Per-species breakdown & tactics
Pick a fish, then Fly, Spin, or Colors. Your last pick is remembered.
Best window: morning
HATCH-MODE FLY SETUP: 3-4 wt rod with floating line, 7.5-9 ft tapered leader to 5X tippet. #14 yellow Stimulator or #16 black ant on top, drop a #14 beadhead Hare's Ear or small olive damsel nymph 12-18" below as a dropper. Bluegill + redbreast hammer the dropper most of the time; the dry indicates. Cast into shade lines + along pad edges; let the rig sit 5 seconds before twitching.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Walk the south shoreline and roll-cast a #10 black Wooly Bugger or #12 olive damsel nymph 18" inside the shade line under the trees — verified high-percentage water from real catches here. On calm bright days, drop a small beaded nymph 18" below a yarn indicator and fish it just outside the shadow edge.
3-4 wt rod, 9 ft floating line, 6X tippet. Roll-cast a #10 black wooly bugger or #12 olive damsel nymph into the shade under overhanging trees. Bluegill on calm sunny days hold tight to shadow lines; landing the fly within 18" of the shadow edge produces fish, landing it in open sun produces refusals. Let the fly fall 3-4 seconds before stripping; bigger bull bluegill grab on the drop.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Walk the south shoreline and roll-cast a #10 black Wooly Bugger or #12 olive damsel nymph 18" inside the shade line under the trees — verified high-percentage water from real catches here. On calm bright days, drop a small beaded nymph 18" below a yarn indicator and fish it just outside the shadow edge.
3-4 wt rod, 9 ft floating line, 6X tippet. Roll-cast a #10 black wooly bugger or #12 olive damsel nymph into the shade under overhanging trees. Bluegill on calm sunny days hold tight to shadow lines; landing the fly within 18" of the shadow edge produces fish, landing it in open sun produces refusals. Let the fly fall 3-4 seconds before stripping; bigger bull bluegill grab on the drop.
Flies: Black Wooly Bugger #10, Olive Damsel Nymph #12, Small Black Beetle #14
Small chartreuse bugger or soft hackle under an indicator. Twitchy strips.
In a few hours
HATCH-MODE SPIN SETUP: ultralight 5'-6' rod, 4 lb mono. Rig a small beaded nymph (red Squirmy / brown Hare's Ear / olive damsel, #12-14) on a 24" 4 lb mono tippet below a tiny 1/2" pencil bobber + a single BB-shot for casting weight. Flip into shaded pockets, let it sit 5-10 seconds, twitch the bobber once. The bobber dips on every fish, set immediately. This rig outfishes any moving lure on bright calm days when the hatch is on.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Ultralight + small beaded red Squirmy nymph or 1/32 oz black jig 18-24" under a tiny pencil bobber, flipped along the south-shore shade line. Slow your retrieve and let the bobber sit 8-10 seconds in each pocket; bull bluegill nip lightly on bright calm days.
BAIT OPTION: Red worm or wax worm on a #8 light-wire hook under a slip-cork set 3-4 ft deep, drifted along the south shore. Most reliable approach for kids and consistent producer for keeper-size bull bluegill.
Ultralight 5'-6' rod, 2-4 lb mono. Cast a 1/32 oz black jig or small Beetle Spin into shade. Slow, steady retrieve with the rod tip down. The pro move: rig a small beaded red/brown/orange nymph (size 12) 18" below a tiny pencil bobber + flick into shade; the bobber dips when even sluggish fish nip. This pattern routinely outfishes any moving lure on bright calm days. Verified by user catches at Cane Creek Lake.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Ultralight + small beaded red Squirmy nymph or 1/32 oz black jig 18-24" under a tiny pencil bobber, flipped along the south-shore shade line. Slow your retrieve and let the bobber sit 8-10 seconds in each pocket; bull bluegill nip lightly on bright calm days.
BAIT OPTION: Red worm or wax worm on a #8 light-wire hook under a slip-cork set 3-4 ft deep, drifted along the south shore. Most reliable approach for kids and consistent producer for keeper-size bull bluegill.
Ultralight 5'-6' rod, 2-4 lb mono. Cast a 1/32 oz black jig or small Beetle Spin into shade. Slow, steady retrieve with the rod tip down. The pro move: rig a small beaded red/brown/orange nymph (size 12) 18" below a tiny pencil bobber + flick into shade; the bobber dips when even sluggish fish nip. This pattern routinely outfishes any moving lure on bright calm days. Verified by user catches at Cane Creek Lake.
Lures: 1/32 oz black jig, small Beetle Spin, Red/brown/orange beaded nymph under bobber
Beetle spin or tiny jig tipped with wax worm. Slow roll past beds.
In a few hours
Stained
- Chartreuse Highest visibility in green-stained water. First pick for walleye, sauger, and crappie when stain sets in.
- Orange / flame red Sauger and walleye locate by sight even in stain. Bright contrast beats natural finishes head to head.
Engine pick right now: black, dark olive, red, brown
Guide pick for stained water (fall): chartreuse, yellow, pink / white
Sight feeders in shallow water. Small and bright beats big and natural except in the clearest spring pools.
Full color matrix for stained water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
Hatch: 83% (BWO (fall)) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
Why this score
- preferred time of day+15
- barometric trend+12
- pre frontal surge+8
- wind speed+7
- in season+4
- wind on preferred bank+3
- cloud cover+2
Best window: after dark
Catfish on a fly is a niche stunt. If you want to try: 8-9 wt rod, sinking line, a meat fly tied with rabbit + a stinger hook trailing chicken-liver scent paste. Drift over known channel-cat structure at dusk. Real fly anglers fishing TN lakes for catfish almost never do it; this is here for completeness, not productivity.
Not a practical fly target most days. Heavy Clouser dredged deep is the novelty play.
In a few hours
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Anchor off the north creek inflow at dusk and fan-cast bait rigs across the channel. The inflow concentrates fish from May through September.
BAIT OPTION: Live bluegill (4-6") on a slip-bobber set 8 ft deep over the north channel — turtle-resistant because the bait keeps thrashing. Backup: chicken liver in a mesh bag on a 6/0 circle, since loose cut bait will be stripped within minutes after dark from May to September on this lake.
Medium-heavy rod, 30-50 lb braid + 40 lb mono shock leader to a 6/0-7/0 circle hook. Tactical setup: live bluegill 4-6" hooked through the upper jaw on a slip-bobber rig with the bobber stopper set so the bait swims 12-18" off bottom over a known brush pile. The bait stays alive + thrashes, which keeps turtles off it. For larger fish, switch to a tightline bottom rig with a chunk of cut skipjack on a 7/0 circle + 3 oz sinker so turtles can't drag it; check in 30 min, reset if stripped. Free-spool the strike, reel-set, no rod sweep.
Anchor off the north creek inflow at dusk and fan-cast bait rigs across the channel. The inflow concentrates fish from May through September.
BAIT OPTION: Live bluegill (4-6") on a slip-bobber set 8 ft deep over the north channel — turtle-resistant because the bait keeps thrashing. Backup: chicken liver in a mesh bag on a 6/0 circle, since loose cut bait will be stripped within minutes after dark from May to September on this lake.
Medium-heavy rod, 30-50 lb braid + 40 lb mono shock leader to a 6/0-7/0 circle hook. Tactical setup: live bluegill 4-6" hooked through the upper jaw on a slip-bobber rig with the bobber stopper set so the bait swims 12-18" off bottom over a known brush pile. The bait stays alive + thrashes, which keeps turtles off it. For larger fish, switch to a tightline bottom rig with a chunk of cut skipjack on a 7/0 circle + 3 oz sinker so turtles can't drag it; check in 30 min, reset if stripped. Free-spool the strike, reel-set, no rod sweep.
Lures: Live bluegill (4-6") on slip-bobber over a brush pile, Chicken liver in a mesh bag (low turtle attraction), Shad-gut dough on a #2 treble (firm bait stays on the hook), Cut skipjack on 7/0 circle (large hook + heavy weight discourages turtles)
Cut bait on bottom rigs. Put scent in the current seam and wait.
In a few hours
Stained
- Chartreuse Highest visibility in green-stained water. First pick for walleye, sauger, and crappie when stain sets in.
- Orange / flame red Sauger and walleye locate by sight even in stain. Bright contrast beats natural finishes head to head.
Engine pick right now: natural, live
Guide pick for stained water (fall): bloody cut shad, blackened liver, chartreuse dip bait
Catfish hunt by smell first. Color barely matters, contrast and scent do. Dark baits with bloody scent win in stain.
Full color matrix for stained water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
Hatch: 83% (BWO (fall)) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- Turtle pressure is heavy on small TN lakes (Cane Creek, Standing Stone, TWRA family lakes, plateau state-park lakes) from May through September, especially after sunset.
- Live bluegill on a slip-float OR chicken liver in mesh outfishes loose cut bait when turtles are active.
- If you commit to cut bait, use the largest possible chunk on a 7/0+ circle hook so turtles can't strip it.
Why this score
- barometric trend+12
- pre frontal surge+8
- wind speed+7
- in season+4
- wind on preferred bank+3
- cloud cover+2
Best window: first light
HATCH-MODE FLY SETUP: 5 wt rod with floating line, 9 ft 5X tippet. #8 Crappie Candy OR 1/32 oz white marabou jig fished as a fly. Crappie don't hammer dries but they will eat a midge cluster (#16-20 Griffith's Gnat) drifted slowly through brush + dock corners. Watch for the soft pickup, strip-set on any line stop.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
5 wt sink-tip, 1/32 oz white marabou jig fished as a fly along the north creek arm where the inflow drops water temp. Crappie suspend 6-8 ft over deeper water there in spring; count the jig down and inch it back.
5 wt rod with floating line, 9 ft 5X tippet to a #8 Crappie Candy or 1/32 oz marabou jig. Spring spawn (55-68°F water): dap or short-cast under dock corners + into brush; let the fly fall 2-4 ft then twitch once. The fall does the work. Summer + winter: switch to a sink-tip or full intermediate line, count down to the brush depth (8-12 ft), then microscopic 2" strips. Crappie eat lightly, set on any line stop, no rod sweep.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
5 wt sink-tip, 1/32 oz white marabou jig fished as a fly along the north creek arm where the inflow drops water temp. Crappie suspend 6-8 ft over deeper water there in spring; count the jig down and inch it back.
5 wt rod with floating line, 9 ft 5X tippet to a #8 Crappie Candy or 1/32 oz marabou jig. Spring spawn (55-68°F water): dap or short-cast under dock corners + into brush; let the fly fall 2-4 ft then twitch once. The fall does the work. Summer + winter: switch to a sink-tip or full intermediate line, count down to the brush depth (8-12 ft), then microscopic 2" strips. Crappie eat lightly, set on any line stop, no rod sweep.
Flies: Crappie Candy #8, Marabou Jig 1/32 oz
Chartreuse marabou jig or small Clouser under an indicator. Count down to the school depth.
In a few hours
HATCH-MODE SPIN SETUP: ultralight 6'-6'6" rod, 4-6 lb mono. Rig a small fly-imitation (1/32 oz white marabou jig OR #8 white Crappie Candy fly) on 4 lb fluoro 18-24" below a small pencil bobber + a tiny split-shot. Cast tight to brush + dock pilings; let the rig sit 5-8 seconds. The strike is a slight bobber dip, set on any subtle move.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Slip-bobber a small minnow set 6 ft deep along the north creek arm in spring (water 55-68°F). Summer: vertical-jig a 1/16 oz hair jig over any brush you can find off the dam wall. Tight-line, set on the slightest tick.
BAIT OPTION: Live minnow on a #4 light-wire hook under a slip-cork, set to whatever depth the brush is holding fish that day. Switch sides of the lake until you find the school.
Ultralight 6'6" rod, 4-6 lb mono OR 8 lb braid + 6 lb fluoro leader. Spring: 'shoot' a 1/32 oz curly-tail grub far under docks by bow-and-arrow casting the rod tip + flicking the lure. Let it fall on slack line; strike on the drop. Summer: vertical-jig a 1/16 oz hair jig directly above marked brush piles; 6" lifts, 3-second pauses. Minnow on a slip-bobber set 6" above the brush is the bail-out when the bite is light.
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Slip-bobber a small minnow set 6 ft deep along the north creek arm in spring (water 55-68°F). Summer: vertical-jig a 1/16 oz hair jig over any brush you can find off the dam wall. Tight-line, set on the slightest tick.
BAIT OPTION: Live minnow on a #4 light-wire hook under a slip-cork, set to whatever depth the brush is holding fish that day. Switch sides of the lake until you find the school.
Ultralight 6'6" rod, 4-6 lb mono OR 8 lb braid + 6 lb fluoro leader. Spring: 'shoot' a 1/32 oz curly-tail grub far under docks by bow-and-arrow casting the rod tip + flicking the lure. Let it fall on slack line; strike on the drop. Summer: vertical-jig a 1/16 oz hair jig directly above marked brush piles; 6" lifts, 3-second pauses. Minnow on a slip-bobber set 6" above the brush is the bail-out when the bite is light.
Lures: 1/32 oz curly grub (white/chartreuse), 1/16 oz hair jig, Minnow under slip-bobber
Chartreuse jig tipped with minnow, vertical over brush. Slow fall triggers the eat.
In a few hours
Stained
- Chartreuse Highest visibility in green-stained water. First pick for walleye, sauger, and crappie when stain sets in.
- Orange / flame red Sauger and walleye locate by sight even in stain. Bright contrast beats natural finishes head to head.
Engine pick right now: chartreuse, white, pink/white
Guide pick for stained water (fall): chartreuse, pink / white, electric chicken
Crappie hunt by flash and vertical profile. Chartreuse and white outproduce naturals in every stain level except gin-clear.
Full color matrix for stained water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
Hatch: 83% (BWO (fall)) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- Crappie bite shuts down hard during post-frontal high-pressure days; commit to spring + fall windows where you can.
Why this score
- barometric trend+12
- pre frontal surge+10
- wind speed+7
- in season+4
- wind on preferred bank+3
- cloud cover+2
Best window: first light
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
8 wt and a #4 deer-hair frog walked along the south-shore lily-pad pockets at first light. Switch to a #6 olive Clouser worked along the dam-wall riprap as the sun gets high.
8 wt rod, integrated intermediate or floating line, 8 ft of 16-20 lb fluoro tapered down (4X butt to 0X bite). #4 deer-hair frog or #4 popper on calm warm mornings; #6 Clouser in chartreuse/white or olive Game Changer on overcast days or deeper. Cast tight to cover (overhung wood, dock corners, weed edges), let the popper sit 4-6 seconds, then a sharp pop. For sub-surface: cast across to the bank, let the streamer fall, then 2-3 ft strips with hard pauses. Strip-set hard; bass jaws are bony and you need the line tight to drive the hook.
8 wt and a #4 deer-hair frog walked along the south-shore lily-pad pockets at first light. Switch to a #6 olive Clouser worked along the dam-wall riprap as the sun gets high.
8 wt rod, integrated intermediate or floating line, 8 ft of 16-20 lb fluoro tapered down (4X butt to 0X bite). #4 deer-hair frog or #4 popper on calm warm mornings; #6 Clouser in chartreuse/white or olive Game Changer on overcast days or deeper. Cast tight to cover (overhung wood, dock corners, weed edges), let the popper sit 4-6 seconds, then a sharp pop. For sub-surface: cast across to the bank, let the streamer fall, then 2-3 ft strips with hard pauses. Strip-set hard; bass jaws are bony and you need the line tight to drive the hook.
Flies: Clouser Minnow #6 (chartreuse/white), Frog Popper #4
Olive wooly bugger or black game changer. Dark silhouette first, drop to rust nymph if refusals.
In a few hours
ON THIS WATER (Cane Creek Lake (Cookeville)): 56-acre city lake with three useful zones: a shaded south shore under trees (bluegill and bass cover), a north creek arm that pulls cool inflow (crappie and catfish stage there), and the dam wall at the east end (deepest water, ~15-20 ft).
Texas-rigged 7" watermelon-red worm pitched into the south-shore lay-downs and shaded pockets — slow drag, dead-stick on slack line. Summer post-front: switch to a weightless wacky Senko in green pumpkin along the same cover. Dam-wall riprap holds bigger fish at last light on a slow-rolled 1/2 oz spinnerbait.
Medium-heavy 7' rod, 20 lb braid + 12-15 lb fluoro leader (or straight 12 lb fluoro on a baitcaster). Texas-rigged 7" watermelon-red worm with a 3/16 oz tungsten weight + 4/0 EWG hook is the all-conditions standard. For active fish: 1/2 oz spinnerbait slow-rolled along points + drop-offs. For deep summer suspended fish: 3/8 oz football jig + craw trailer hopped along 12-18 ft ledges. Post-front shutdown: switch to a weightless wacky-rigged 5" Senko in green pumpkin, work it dead-slow next to cover.
Texas-rigged 7" watermelon-red worm pitched into the south-shore lay-downs and shaded pockets — slow drag, dead-stick on slack line. Summer post-front: switch to a weightless wacky Senko in green pumpkin along the same cover. Dam-wall riprap holds bigger fish at last light on a slow-rolled 1/2 oz spinnerbait.
Medium-heavy 7' rod, 20 lb braid + 12-15 lb fluoro leader (or straight 12 lb fluoro on a baitcaster). Texas-rigged 7" watermelon-red worm with a 3/16 oz tungsten weight + 4/0 EWG hook is the all-conditions standard. For active fish: 1/2 oz spinnerbait slow-rolled along points + drop-offs. For deep summer suspended fish: 3/8 oz football jig + craw trailer hopped along 12-18 ft ledges. Post-front shutdown: switch to a weightless wacky-rigged 5" Senko in green pumpkin, work it dead-slow next to cover.
Lures: Texas-rigged worm (watermelon red flake), 1/2 oz spinnerbait (white/chartreuse), 3" soft jerkbait (smoke shad), 3/8 oz football jig + craw trailer (deep summer)
Black and blue jig or chartreuse spinnerbait tight to cover. Stained fish hold on wood and rock edges.
In a few hours
Stained
- Chartreuse Highest visibility in green-stained water. First pick for walleye, sauger, and crappie when stain sets in.
- Orange / flame red Sauger and walleye locate by sight even in stain. Bright contrast beats natural finishes head to head.
Engine pick right now: watermelon, chartreuse/white, shad
Guide pick for stained water (fall): black / blue jig, chartreuse / white spinnerbait
Bass see red and green well and chase high-contrast silhouettes in stain. Black and blue reads as a shad or bluegill profile when detail drops out.
Full color matrix for stained water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
Hatch: 83% (BWO (fall)) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- Topwater commits hardest in the first 90 minutes after sunrise on calm warm mornings, see /learn/technique/topwater-bass.
- Bluebird high-pressure days after a cold front kill the topwater bite; switch to slow soft plastics in deeper cover.
Why this score
- barometric trend+12
- pre frontal surge+10
- wind speed+7
- in season+4
- wind on preferred bank+3
- cloud cover+2
Next 24 hours · weather forecast
Scroll for hourly temperature, wind, and precipitation.
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Latest readings
Live telemetry| Air temp (°F) | 68.9°F |
|---|---|
| Cloud cover (%) | 100% |
| Dew point (°C) | 21.1°C |
| Relative humidity (%) | 51% |
| Chance of precipitation (%) | 6% |
| Precipitation (in) | 0.00 in |
| Barometric pressure (mb) | 1,020.2 mb |
| Rain past 24h (in) | 0.74 in |
| Rain past 6h (in) | 0.00 in |
| Wind direction | E (96°) |
| Wind (mph) | 4.3 mph |
Reading freshness
Source update lag| Barometric pressure (mb) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
|---|---|
| Wind (mph) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Cloud cover (%) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Air temp (°F) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Rain past 24h (in) | 2753.1 h ago openmeteo stale |
| Rain past 6h (in) | 0 min ago nws |
Hatch matcher · this month
Active aquatic insect emergences & suggested imitations.
Midge
Sizes 18–24
Recommended patterns:
Zebra Midge #20, Griffith's Gnat #20, WD-40 #20
Tailwater staple; year-round on Caney Fork
Sulphur
Sizes 14–18
Recommended patterns:
Sulphur Comparadun #16, Pheasant Tail #16, Yellow Sally
Weeks 14-39 (Apr-Sep) on Caney Fork tailwater; matches South Holston schedule per shop consensus + thermal profile.
BWO (fall)
Sizes 20–22
Recommended patterns:
RS2 #22, Parachute BWO #20
Cool overcast afternoons
Next few hours · best species
Prime windows for active feeding over the next 12 hours (CDT).
7-day forecast
Composite spot scores over the coming week.
TREND SPARKLINE (7-DAY BITE SCORE)
Score Range: 0 - 100
10-day weather & pressure outlook
Extended NWS meteorological outlook.
| Day | High | Low | Wind | Cloud | Rain % | Pressure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94°F | 70°F | Unknown | — | 0% | 1,024.3 mb | nws | |
| 95°F | 71°F | Unknown | — | 3% | 1,023.7 mb | nws | |
| 95°F | 71°F | Unknown | — | 3% | 1,019.9 mb | nws | |
| 94°F | 69°F | Unknown | — | 5% | 1,015.5 mb | nws | |
| 93°F | 67°F | Unknown | — | 7% | 1,014.1 mb | nws | |
| 91°F | 69°F | Unknown | — | 16% | 1,013.4 mb | nws | |
| 87°F | 67°F | Unknown | — | 25% | 1,014.3 mb | nws | |
| 81°F | 59°F | Unknown | — | 23% | 1,016.2 mb | nws | |
| 82°F | 54°F | Unknown | — | 14% | 1,013.9 mb | nws | |
| 86°F | 57°F | Unknown | — | 12% | 1,016.5 mb | openmeteo |
Trends · 7 days
Hover chart points for telemetry details. Gold dot represents latest reading.
Barometric pressure (mb)
Water temperature (°F)
Fishing regulations (TWRA)
Statewide creel and length limits. Confirm the current rule on TWRA before you keep a fish.
These are statewide defaults only. Many waters have their own creel, size, or season rules that override this list. Check the water you are fishing on TWRA before you go.
TWRA fishing regulations · Water-specific exceptions
Statewide defaults (19 rules)
| Species | Rule |
|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | No harvest allowed. Must be returned to water immediately. |
| Black Bass (includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Alabama And Coosa) | No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination may be taken. | None |
| Catfish | Only one (1) catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day. No harvest limit on catfish less than 34 inches. |
| Crappie | 15 | 10 inches |
| Lake Trout | Only 2 of your 7 total trout may be lake trout. | None |
| Muskellunge | 1 | 36 inches |
| Paddlefish | Paddlefish may be harvested from April 24 through May 31. Daily creel limit is 2 fish per day with no size limit. Culling is prohibited. Exceptions on Center Hill, Cherokee, and Watts Bar reservoirs. |
| Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) | 20 | None |
| Redear Sunfish Or Shellcracker | 20 | None |
| Region 1 Crappie Exception: Unless Otherwise Noted For Specific Waters. | 30 | None |
| Rock Bass Or Redeye And Shadow Bass | 20 | None |
| Sauger Or Sauger/walleye Hybrids | 10 | 15 inches |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | No harvest allowed. Must be returned to the water immediately. |
| Skipjack Herring | 100 | None |
| Striped Bass Or Hybrid Striped Bass (any Combination) | 2 | 15 inches |
| Trout (all Trout Species Combined) | 7 | None |
| Walleye | 5 | 16 inches |
| White Bass | 15 | None |
| Yellow Bass, Bluegill, Warmouth, Bream, Bullheads, Pickerel, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, And Nongame Species | no limit | None |