Pickwick Lake is known as one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries in the country. As one of the top fishing locations in Tennessee, it’s a great place to catch smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, white crappie, sauger, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. One of the best fishing spots here is the area in the upper end of the reservoir near Wilson Dam. You can catch record-sized catfish and smallmouth bass in this area. You can also try the discharge basin at Colbert Fossil Plant. The plant discharges warm water, providing the fish with a great spot to hang out during the colder months. The largemouth bass in Pickwick Lake average five to eight pounds, though some lucky fishermen have caught ten pounders. To catch these fish, head over from mid-March through May. And if you head over during the summer and stick to the deeper waters, you may catch yourself a sauger.

driving directions

Pickwick Lake boat ramps:

The following boat ramps provide access to Pickwick Lake.