🎣 Tellico Lake - (Tennessee) Eastern Tennessee

🏞️ About Tellico Lake

Tellico Lake is a scenic 15,560-acre Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reservoir stretching 33 miles along the Little Tennessee River in East Tennessee, extending from Chilhowee Dam upstream near Maryville downstream to Tellico Dam near Lenoir City. Created in 1979 with the completion of the controversial Tellico Dam, this relatively young impoundment flows through Blount, Loudon, and Monroe counties, creating one of the most picturesque and accessible warmwater fisheries in the Tennessee Valley.

What sets Tellico apart from other Tennessee River reservoirs is its intimate, river-like character combined with crystal-clear water quality. Unlike the larger, more developed Watts Bar Lake to which it connects, Tellico maintains a more natural feel with heavily forested shorelines, numerous undeveloped coves, and exceptional water clarity that can exceed 8-10 feet of visibility. This clarity creates sight-fishing opportunities rare in TVA reservoirs, allowing anglers to watch bass strike topwater lures and observe fish relating to structure.

The lake averages 30 feet deep with a maximum depth of 60+ feet near Tellico Dam. Major creek arms include Bat Creek, Nine Mile Creek, and Tellico River, each creating sprawling embayments with excellent spawning habitat and structure. Highway 411 provides primary access along the western shore near Maryville, while Highway 72 and various county roads reach the eastern banks and upper lake areas.

🌟 Why Tellico Lake Is Special

• Exceptional Water Clarity
  Tellico's clear water (often 6-10 feet visibility) creates outstanding sight-fishing opportunities and allows anglers to target visible structure with precision.

• Outstanding Largemouth Bass Fishery
  The lake is known throughout East Tennessee for producing quality largemouth bass in the 3-6 pound range, with double-digit fish caught regularly during spring and fall.

• Family-Friendly Atmosphere
  Smaller and less intimidating than massive Watts Bar, Tellico offers protected coves, calm waters, and abundant fish that make it perfect for families and beginning anglers.

• Excellent Crappie Fishing
  Spring spawning concentrations in creek channels and around boat docks produce slab crappie fishing that rivals any lake in Tennessee, with fish regularly exceeding 2 pounds.

• Scenic Beauty & Clean Water
  Tellico's forested shorelines, mountain views, and exceptional water quality create a wilderness fishing experience just minutes from Knoxville and Maryville.

• Outstanding Public Access
  Multiple TVA boat ramps, fishing piers, and public use areas provide excellent access points throughout the lake's 33-mile length.

• Trophy Catfish Potential
  The lake produces impressive blue and flathead catfish, with blues exceeding 50 pounds caught from deep channel areas and river bends.

🐟 Fish Species of Tellico Lake

🌤️ Seasonal Fishing Overview

🌸 Spring (March – May)

• Crappie spawn — peak action in March-April; boat docks, shallow brush, creek mouths
• Largemouth bass move shallow for prespawn/spawn; excellent jerkbait and topwater fishing
• White bass run — spectacular action at Tellico Dam tailrace (late March-April)
• Smallmouth bass spawn on rocky banks and riprap (April-May)
• Bluegill begin bedding in shallow coves (May)
• Water temperatures 52-68°F; fish aggressive and feeding heavily
• Clear water allows sight-fishing to bedding bass and cruising fish
• Peak season for family fishing with multiple species active

☀️ Summer (June – August)

• Bass move to deeper structure — target main lake points, ledges, and channel drops (15-30 feet)
• Crappie suspend over deep brushpiles and channel edges; spider-rigging effective
• Catfish at peak activity — excellent night fishing throughout the lake
• Bluegill and sunfish on beds in shallow coves; great for kids
• Water temperatures 75-84°F; early morning and evening best for bass
• Topwater bass action at dawn and dusk near docks and shallow points
• Clear water allows deep jigging with visual confirmation of structure
• Night fishing excellent for walleye, catfish, and bass

🍂 Fall (September – November)

• PRIME LARGEMOUTH BASS SEASON — aggressive feeding before winter
• Bass move shallow following baitfish; excellent topwater and crankbait fishing
• Crappie begin schooling on deep structure; bridges and channel drops
• Smallmouth active on main lake points and rocky areas
• Walleye fishing improves as water cools; trolling and jigging productive
• Water temperatures 58-72°F (cooling); extended feeding periods
• Shad movements create explosive surface action in creek arms
• Less boat traffic; pleasant fishing conditions

❄️ Winter (December – February)

• Bass in deeper water but catchable on slow presentations
• Crappie concentrated on deep structure (20-35 feet); vertical jigging with minnows
• Walleye and sauger excellent on main channel ledges and points
• Channel catfish still active in deeper holes on cut bait
• Water temperatures 42-50°F; slow down presentations significantly
• Jerkbaits effective for winter bass on sunny days
• Clear water advantage — target visible structure and suspended fish
• Minimal angler pressure; solitude on the water

🎣 Fishing Techniques on Tellico Lake

🎣 Essential Tellico Lake Tackle & Baits

Bass Lures (Clear Water Emphasis):

• Topwater: Zara Spook (chrome/bone), Pop-R, Whopper Plopper (natural colors)
• Jerkbaits: Megabass Vision 110, Lucky Craft Pointer (shad patterns)
• Jigs: 3/8-1/2 oz green pumpkin, black/blue, PB&J with craw trailers
• Soft Plastics: Zoom finesse worms, Roboworms, Ned rig (green pumpkin, watermelon)
• Crankbaits: Natural shad patterns, translucent colors for clear water
• Spinnerbaits: White/chartreuse, 3/8-1/2 oz, willow blades

Crappie Baits:

• Jigs: 1/16-1/8 oz with tubes, Bobby Garland, or minnow bodies
• Live Minnows: Small shiners or threadfin shad
• Crappie Rigs: Double-hook slip bobber rigs, tight-line setups
• Popular Colors: White, chartreuse, pink, electric chicken, clear/silver

Catfish Baits:

• Cut Bait: Fresh skipjack, shad, or bluegill chunks
• Live Bait: Bluegill, small carp, creek chubs
• Prepared Baits: Chicken liver, hot dogs, commercial stink baits
• Night Crawlers: Effective for channel cats

Walleye/Sauger Tackle:

• Jigs: 1/4-1/2 oz hair jigs or plastics with minnow trailers
• Crankbaits: Deep-diving shad patterns for trolling
• Live Bait: Medium minnows on bottom rigs

⚖️ Regulations & Permits

Tellico Lake fishing is managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA):

Required Licenses:

Key Regulations:

⚠️ CRITICAL REGULATIONS:

• Bass: 15-inch minimum for largemouth/smallmouth; 5 fish daily limit (combined)
• Spotted Bass: No minimum size; included in 5-bass daily limit
• Crappie: 7-inch minimum; 30 fish daily limit (black and white combined)
• Walleye/Sauger: 15-inch minimum; 5 fish daily limit (combined)
• Catfish: Channel/Blue - no minimum, 5 fish daily limit each; Flathead - 34-inch minimum, 5 fish limit
• White Bass: No minimum; 25 fish daily limit
• Bluegill/Sunfish: No minimum; 50 fish daily limit
• Live Bait: May not use game fish as bait; consult current regulations
• Jug Fishing: Allowed for catfish; jugs must be marked with name and address
• No-Wake Zones: Numerous throughout lake; observe buoys and signs

Where to Purchase Licenses:

• Online: GoOutdoorsTennessee.com (TWRA official site — recommended)
• Retail Locations:
  • Walmart (Maryville, Lenoir City, Loudon)
  • Dick's Sporting Goods / Academy Sports (Knoxville area)
  • Local tackle shops and marinas around the lake
  • Convenience stores near major access points
• By Phone: TWRA license line

Important: Always carry your license and photo ID while fishing. TWRA officers patrol regularly, especially during peak spring and summer seasons. Regulations change periodically — always check the current TWRA Fishing Guide before your trip.

🗺️ Access Points & Fishing Areas

Tellico Lake offers excellent public access throughout its 33-mile length:

Upper Lake (Chilhowee/Calderwood Area):

Chilhowee Recreation Area:

• Upstream near Chilhowee Dam
• Excellent smallmouth and trout fishing (tailrace)
• Boat ramp and bank fishing access
• More remote; less pressure

Louisville Point Recreation Area:

• TVA public use area with boat ramp
• Access to upper lake bass and crappie
• Facilities: parking, restrooms

Mid-Lake (Vonore/Bat Creek Area):

Bat Creek Recreation Area:

• Large public boat ramp with ample parking
• Access to excellent creek arm bass and crappie fishing
• Numerous boat docks in the area
• Facilities: restrooms, picnic areas

Vonore Town Ramp:

• Municipal ramp near town services
• Good access to main lake and creek channels
• Popular for tournament launches

Nine Mile Creek Area:

• Multiple access points via county roads
• Protected coves ideal for crappie and bass
• Less crowded than lower lake areas

Lower Lake (Tellico Village/Lenoir City Area):

Tellico Village:

• Private community with marina and services
• Some public access areas
• Near Tellico Dam and prime fishing

Tellico Dam Tailwater:

• Excellent white bass fishing during spring run
• Bank fishing access below dam
• Boat access with caution (strong current)

Highway 72 Bridge:

• Popular fishing area near bridge pilings
• Bank and boat access
• Good crappie and bass structure

Fort Loudoun Marina (connecting waters):

• Access to Fort Loudoun Lake which connects to Tellico
• Full-service marina with rentals

Popular Bank Fishing Spots:

• TVA Public Use Areas: Multiple locations along Highway 411 and Highway 72
• Fishing Piers: Several ADA-accessible piers throughout the lake
• Dam Areas: Chilhowee and Tellico dam tailwaters
• Recreation Areas: Louisville Point, Bat Creek with shore access

Marinas & Services:

• Tellico Marina & Resort (Vonore)
• Bat Creek Marina
• Fort Loudoun Marina (connecting lake)
• Tellico Village Yacht Club

Most marinas offer: boat rentals (pontoons, fishing boats), fuel, tackle, convenience items, slip rentals, and local fishing reports.

🎯 Local Fishing Tips & Hotspots

Top Producing Areas:

Spring Bass & Crappie:

• Bat Creek arm — shallow brush and docks for spawning crappie
• Nine Mile Creek — protected spawning areas for bass and panfish
• Main lake points — prespawn largemouth staging areas
• Riprap banks — Highway 72 bridge area for smallmouth

Summer Deep-Water Fish:

• Main channel ledges — 20-30 feet for suspended crappie and bass
• Deep boat docks — shade and cover for summer bass
• River channel bends — big catfish in deepest holes
• Points with deep water access — summer smallmouth

Fall Feeding Frenzy:

• Shallow creek arms — following shad migrations
• Points at creek mouths — ambush points for bass
• Riprap and rocky banks — smallmouth feeding areas
• Main lake flats — 8-15 feet for roaming largemouth schools

Winter Structure:

• Deep brushpiles — crappie concentrate 25-35 feet
• Channel drops — walleye and sauger on ledges
• Main lake points — winter bass on deeper ends
• Bridge pilings — Highway 72 bridge for multiple species

Clear Water Strategies:

Tellico's exceptional clarity requires adjustments:

• Use natural colors: Green pumpkin, watermelon, shad patterns
• Downsize presentations: Lighter line (8-12 lb test), smaller baits
• Longer casts: Fish can see you coming; stay back from structure
• Finesse techniques: Ned rigs, drop shots, shakey heads excel
• Early/late fishing: Low light periods produce better in clear water
• Watch your shadow: Boat positioning critical; avoid spooking fish

🧭 Summary

Tellico Lake is East Tennessee's hidden gem — a pristine 15,560-acre reservoir where crystal-clear water meets abundant fish populations and stunning mountain scenery. This is a lake where you can watch largemouth bass inhale your topwater lure, sight-fish to bedding crappie in spring, and experience wilderness fishing just 30 minutes from Knoxville.

What makes Tellico truly special is its intimate, accessible character combined with exceptional water quality. Unlike the massive, sometimes overwhelming Watts Bar Lake, Tellico offers protected coves, manageable distances, and a family-friendly atmosphere that makes it perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The clear water creates sight-fishing opportunities rare in TVA reservoirs, allowing you to target visible structure, watch fish behavior, and adjust presentations based on what you see.

The fishing is consistently excellent throughout the year: spring brings explosive crappie and bass spawning activity, summer offers pleasant early-morning topwater action and productive night fishing, fall delivers the best bass fishing of the year, and winter concentrates big crappie and walleye on deep structure. Whether you're a tournament angler chasing trophy largemouth, a family looking for kid-friendly bluegill fishing, or a serious crappie fisherman targeting spring slabs, Tellico delivers.

With multiple public boat ramps, excellent facilities, nearby towns with full services (Maryville, Lenoir City, Vonore), and a reputation for clean water and quality fish, Tellico Lake offers world-class fishing in a package that's accessible, affordable, and absolutely beautiful. The lake's location at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains adds scenic grandeur to every fishing trip.

Pack your finesse tackle, stock your box with natural-colored baits, practice your jerkbait retrieve, and prepare to enjoy clear-water fishing that lets you see every strike, every follower, and every piece of structure. Load your crappie rods with light jigs and minnows for spring dock-shooting. Bring your topwater plugs for dawn and dusk bass explosions in protected coves.

This is Tennessee Valley fishing at its clearest and most beautiful — and once you experience a spring morning sight-fishing to bedding bass, or an evening watching your walking bait disappear in a boil of clear water, you'll understand why Tellico Lake has earned its reputation as one of East Tennessee's finest fishing destinations.

Location: East Tennessee, spanning Blount, Loudon, and Monroe counties
Main Towns: Vonore, Maryville, Lenoir City, Loudon (services, accommodations, tackle)
Fishing Season: Year-round (all species)
Main Species: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Bluegill
Best Methods: Finesse presentations, topwater, jerkbaits, dock fishing, vertical jigging
Regulations: Size/creel limits by species; check TWRA regulations
Special Features: Exceptional water clarity, Sight-fishing opportunities, Family-friendly, Trophy largemouth, Outstanding crappie, Scenic mountain views, Excellent public access