Tennessee River/fort Loudon Lake

[Dylan L]

I have fished the Tennessee River from the marina above Calhoun's on the River and from Cherokee Park in Sequoyah Hills. Does anyone have any advice/access points for the Tennessee River or Fort Loudon Lake? Thanks!

[VolFan]

Below the Ft Loufon and Tellico dams down around Lenoir City is usually great, either fish the current or there are several pull -offs between and just past the dams. Don't overlook the backwaters down there. Nearer to Knoxville and the Campus, Topside drive and the area where Topside meets Alcoa highway were good to me in college. I also did Second and Third creeks on occasion, but wash your hands if you do that.

[Dylan L]

Thanks! I knew that people fished below the dams but I have never known where or what lures.

[VolFan]

Go when they're letting water out. White 3" grubs are good for whatever, as are jerk baits, both hard and soft. Spooks are good but can be hard to work in the current. Anything shiny that resembles a shad can do some damage on any given day. I had a 30 lb striped take me fo a TN sleigh ride in my kayak. I hooked her right next to the dam, and ended up a couple miles downstream. Lots of bass, stripes and cats I. The tailgaters. Lots of bass and hybrids over off Topside.

[Dylan L]

Thanks! I'm not familiar with Topside Drive.

[VolFan]

Are you familiar with Google Maps?

[Dylan L]

Below the Ft Loufon and Tellico dams down around Lenoir City is usually great, either fish the current or there are several pull -offs between and just past the dams. Don't overlook the backwaters down there. Nearer to Knoxville and the Campus, Topside drive and the area where Topside meets Alcoa highway were good to me in college. I also did Second and Third creeks on occasion, but wash your hands if you do that.

I don't know anything about topside, could you tell me where you fish? Also, at second and third creeks do you fish the mouths where they run into the river? Thanks!

[BigMouth0218]

I know i'm really late on this,but i just saw it. Just wanted to let ya know,if you need more help on the Topside area,i live right off of topside. I fish all the time,and use to fish tourny's many years ago. I can actually see the lake from the desk i'm sitting at,right now. Yes,i live that close to the lake. Anyway,point is,i bass fish alot,and know this area quite well. I can honestly say that this area can produce nice bass. I have just lived in this area of the lake since late June of last year,but still managed to catch some nice fish,last summer,just in the Little River area alone. The biggest was over 6 lbs. So,if you just plan on launching from the Little River ramp,or the Topside ramp,in Little River,and stay right there to fish...it's not bad fishing. I did okay,and never even went out in the channel,once. I was kinda stuck there due to such a small boat,and lauching basically from my house,which is farther up river than the Little River ramp. However,it turned out okay. I tended to favor the area around and just above the Alcoa Hwy. bridge,mainly the right bank(southwest bank),after you get past that short flat. That's where the biggest came from. On another day i caught 3 over 3 lbs. right under the bridge,one being over 5 lbs. and many more1-3 lb'ers. The point is not to brag or anything. Everyone has good days,now and then. My good days,last year happened to come in the area you were questioning. I didn't have a chance to go in the spring,as i was busy with moving and crap. You know how things can pile up,and get in the way. So,i exclusively fished Little River. I think i know a little bit about it,now. But still,It's no different than anywhere else....just use common sense,and your bass sense,and you will do just fine,maybe better. Still,if ya got any questions,i'm glad to help,if i can. And,if i don't answer here,you can try my Email:  <jon.beeler@yahoo.com>

[Trent Wilson]

If you wish to fish the lake, there's two ramps just before you cross the dam into Lenoir City. One at Tellico and one that goes by Yarbury. If you don't mind paying $7 for a day pass or $70 for the year, it's the best location. It's also patrolled by security so no need to worry about your vehicle.