Center Hill Lake by TWRA Creel Clerks

Fishing Report provided by TWRA Creel Clerks through Fishing Forecast

Center Hill Lake Fishing Report:         13 March 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions

Reservoir elevation is 641’ and Center Hill Dam has been generating, on average, 5,000 cfs per day. Great Falls dam has been spilling and pushing roughly 5,500 cfs on average. The water has risen 4+ feet in the last week and is continuing to rise. Water clarity has been murky from Hurricane bridge upstream. On the lower end, the water visibility can be up to 12’ on the main lake. Water temperatures on the main lake can be from 54-56 degrees with the backs of major creek arms being up to 58-62 degrees. With the warm days, and warm rains the surface temps should continue to rise.

Bass– Fishing is great. Fish are still shallow even though the recent cold front has moved them off the bank. Look for the backs of major creek arms that have warm water and baitfish. Fish these areas with a crankbait, spinnerbait or A-rig. With the rising water, fish may be pushed farther back into the flooded cover. On the main lake, steep rock walls are a good place to target bass in rising water conditions. Use jerk baits, jigs, or small swimbaits on the main lake walls.

Crappie– Fishing is good. Crappie are being caught around treetops near deep water and baitfish in 10-20 FOW. Anglers are also catching crappie suspended over deep bait in the mid sections of creeks and pockets.

Walleye– Fishing is slow. The March bite hasn’t been as hot or consistent as a few weeks ago. Fisherman are catching a few walleye near the sandbar jigging shiners or trolling crankbaits. With the water temperature being about right, these fish are very close to spawn, if some aren’t already doing it. Once the fish begin spawning the bite can be tough.

 

 

 

 

06 March 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions

Reservoir elevation is 636’ and Center Hill Dam has been generating, on average, 5,000 cfs per day. Great Falls dam has been spilling and pushing roughly 4,000 cfs on average. Water clarity has been murky from Hurricane bridge upstream. On the lower end, the water visibility can be up to 10’ on the main lake. Water temperatures on the main lake can be from 52-54 degrees with the backs of major creek arms being up to 56-58 degrees. With the warm days, and warm rains the surface temps should continue to rise.

Bass- Fishing is great. The shallow water bite is tremendous right now. You can head to any major creek arm and find the warm water and the baitfish and catch bass. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, A-rigs, or flip rock banks or structure in the muddy water. The warmer the water you find the more it will attract the shad, which will attract the bass. Smallmouth are being caught by live bait fisherman on the lower end around bluff walls on the main lake.

Crappie– Fishing is good. Anglers are catching crappie around baitfish in the back of creek arms. They’re catching suspended fish 5-10’ over the bait in 20 FOW with jigs.

Walleye– Fishing is good. The run is hot and at its peak. With the water in the mid-50s, and good current, the actual spawn is getting close. Fisherman are using jigs tipped with minnows in 20’ of water between the sandbar and Warren Co. boat ramp. Some anglers are catching walleye trolling crankbaits in this area as well. Remember to obey special regulations regarding the walleye run.

 

 

 

21 Feb 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions-

Reservoir elevation has dropped three feet from last week (637’) because Center Hill Dam is generating, on average, 11,200 cfs per day. Great Falls Dam continues to spill every day around 3,500 cfs, on average, every day. Surface water temperatures on the main lake average 50 degrees while the backs of major creek arms can have up to 55-degree water. The water temperature at Rock Island state park varies between 49-52 degrees. Water clarity from Hurricane bridge downstream is clear, roughly 8-10’ visibility. Upstream of Hurricane, and any tributary arm is murkier. Farther upstream you go, the less water visibility. Floating debris is spread throughout the reservoir but can be found in larger trash mats upstream of Fall Creek. Areas to watch for mats include Pates Ford, Four Seasons, Pinhook, Cedar and Cliff Creek.

Bass- Fishing is good. With the water drawing back down, the prespawn largemouth have mostly left the flooded timber in the backs of creeks. These fish and the bait are now positioned in the back ¼ of creek arms. Target these areas with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or shaky heads. Fish are also suspended with bait and can be caught with umbrella rigs, Damiki rigs, and jerk baits. You can catch fish in the clear rock around main lake/creek big chunk rock in 5-12’ with jerk baits and umbrella rigs. If the water levels rise again, or another warm rain raises the water temp, focus on the back of tributary arms once again.

Walleye- Fishing is good. Walleye are in full run at the headwaters of Center Hill. Anglers are catching fish on jigs tipped with minnows in 20 FOW. Anglers are also trolling reef runners and crankbaits along the drop-offs in the river. The fish seemed to be positioned from Warren Co. Boat ramp up to the rapids at the sandbar. Please follow special regulations regarding the Walleye run on Center Hill.

 

 

 

14 Feb 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions-

Center Hill Dam is pulling all generators and is pumping 7,400 cfs per day. Reservoir elevation is 640’ and rising. The backs of most tributaries and from Hurricane bridge upstream, the water visibility starts to get murkier. Near the source of a runoff or the back of a creek you can find visibility less than 2’ and water temperatures up to 53 degrees. Closer to the lower end of the reservoir, there is a 10-12’ water clarity and water temperatures averaging 49 degrees. You can find most of the baitfish in less than 20’ in the very backs of these creeks in the warm water. Be extremely cautious of floating debris, which is a hazard reservoir wide.

Bass- Fishing is good. Before the rising water, anglers were catching fish in their winter patterns. With the rising water, fish are scattered, and more shoreline cover is now available for them to hide. Try looking for fish moving up with the water levels on steep banks or bluff walls by flipping or throwing spinnerbaits/crankbaits along the bank. Fish will begin to migrate towards runoffs or the backs of creek arms looking for the warmer water, target these areas with vibrating jigs, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits.

 

 

 

08 Feb 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions-

The reservoir elevation is still relatively high at 633.6’. Surface water temperatures fluctuate from 49-52 degrees. Water clarity on the lower end of the reservoir is 10’ of visibility, but on the upper end, or in the back of major creek arms, the water visibility can be 4’ or less. Center Hill Dam is generating close to 3,400cfs. Great Falls dam has been spilling all week. Pay close attention for floating debris as it has made its way across the reservoir.

Bass- Fishing is good. On the upper end, anglers are catching spotted bass on the bank flipping or with crankbaits. They’re fishing steep rock walls with current on them. Mid to lower reservoir, fish are being caught on shallow, sunny banks with clay/gravel and chunk rock-mix in 5-12 FOW. Smallmouth are being caught on the lower end on deep bluff banks or points near deep water with finesse presentations like ned rigs or shaky heads.

Walleye- Fishing is slow. Anglers are starting to catch a few fish who are staging on the upper end of the Caney Fork River. These anglers are mostly jigging minnows or jigs in the river channel near drops. Some are trolling crankbaits in these same areas. The walleye will make a more consistent run as the water temperatures rise towards the mid-50s. Special Regulations apply to walleye fishing from Rock Island State Park boat ramp to Great Falls Dam until April 30th.

 

 

 

31 Jan 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions-

Water conditions have fluctuated heavily this week. The reservoir elevation has risen from 626’ to 632.8’. Surface water temperatures have fluctuated from 47 degrees to 53 degrees back down to 47 all this week. Water clarity on the lower end of the reservoir is still 7-9’ of visibility, but on the upper end, or in the back of major creek arms, the water visibility can be one foot or less. Center Hill Dam has been generating 6,000 cfs earlier this week and is now down to 4,000 cfs per day. Great Falls dam has been spilling all week. Pay close attention for floating debris reservoir wide.

Bass- Fishing is good. On the lower end, smallmouth can be caught shallow on main lake points in 10-15’ FOW with jigs, jerk baits, crankbaits. Largemouth can be caught deep either on bluff wall shelves or with the baitfish balls in 40-60 FOW (If you’re catching fish this deep, please practice safe fish care when releasing.) Some anglers are catching bass deep on main lake flats with jigs in 20-30 FOW. On the upper end, you can catch spotted bass close to the bank on steep rock walls while flipping in muddy water. If there is current, look for seams on bluff walls near the headwaters and flip jigs or throw bright colored crankbaits/spinnerbaits.

 

 

 

24 Jan 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions-

The reservoir elevation sits at 627’. Center Hill Dam has been pulling full generation to prepare for the snow melt and incoming rain, and is pulling, on average, 6,100 cfs per day. Water temperatures fell to 46-48 degrees with the cold front but will warm again with the warm rains. Water clarity on the lower end is around 6-8’ visibility, with the water becoming more turbid the farther upstream you go up major creek arms or the Caney Fork River. The baitfish are extremely deep, mainly being found in 60+ FOW in the main river channel. With the incoming rain and snow melt, be cautious of floating debris from Ragland Bottom rec. area upstream to the Sandbar.

Bass- Fishing is slow. Before the cold, smallmouth were being caught shallow on main lake points in 5-10 FOW with jigs, shaky heads, and whirley-bees. With the colder water, most fish will pull off the bank and suspend in deeper water. Fish jerk baits, umbrella rigs, and blade baits on deep bluff walls on the main lake. When the warm water enters later this week, target sunny banks that have chunk rock with red crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or jigs. Look for muddy water with current.

 

 

 

10 Jan 2024

Forecast Contributor – Will Schibig, Region III Creel Clerk.

Reservoir Conditions-

Surface level water temperatures average between 50-54 degrees on the lower end, and 46 degrees on the upper end of the Caney Fork River. Water clarity averages around 5-8’. Reservoir elevation sits at 625’ and Center Hill dam is generating, on average, 800 cfs per day. Baitfish can be found 40’ or deeper. This data was collected last week. With the warm & cold fronts moving through, be prepared for the water temps, levels, clarity, etc. to fluctuate heavily.

Bass- Fishing is good. Lots of big largemouth are being caught by anglers fishing close to the bank on steep channel swing banks that have tree tops or rockslides. Smallmouth or spotted bass are being caught on bluff walls and points in 15-25 FOW with live bait, jerk baits, swimbaits, or finesse lures.

Sunfish- Fishing is good. Anglers are catching good bluegill off marina slips 10-20’ down with worms, minnows, and jigs.

 

 

 

 

 

17 Dec 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature in 53 degrees and the lake is slowly rising.

Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouth are being caught in the clear water on spoons and swimbaits while fishing under shad in 20-30 feet of water.

Largemouth Bass: Several largemouth are being caught in the clear water while fishing spoons under schooling shad in the creeks in 20-40 feet of water. Also, lots of bass are being caught on crankbaits in the colored water on channel banks in 5-10 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs around sunken brush in 15-25 feet of water.

 

 

 

10 Dec 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 56 degrees, and the lake is falling.

Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouth are being caught on swimbaits and float n flies while fishing channel banks and points 15-20 feet of water.

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Some largemouth and spotted bass are being caught while jigging spoons under schooling shad in the creeks in 20-40 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs while fishing sunken brush in 15-20 feet of water.

 

 

 

03 Dec 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 57 degrees, and the lake is falling.

Bass: Several bass are being caught on swimbaits and crankbaits on channel points in 15 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught on minnows around sunken brush and docks in 15 feet of water.

 

 

 

26 Nov 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 65 degrees, and the lake is falling.

Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouth are being caught on topwater baits and swimbaits while fishing main lake points.

Largemouth Bass: Several largemouth are being caught on topwater baits and jigs while fishing channel banks in the creeks in 10 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught under docks on minnows in 15 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

mid Nov 2021

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 61 degrees, and the lake is falling.

Smallmouth Bass: Lots of smallmouth are being caught on crankbaits and swimbaits on channel banks and points in15-20 feet of water.

Largemouth Bass: Several largemouth are being caught on A-rigs, crankbaits, and topwater baits while fishing sides of creeks close to the main lake.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught around sunken brush on jigs and minnows in 15 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

22 Sept 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Region III Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 77 degrees, and the lake is fairly stable.

Bass: A few bass are being caught on topwater baits while fishing flooded bushes and points around the mid lake.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while jigging spoons on points in 28 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught while fishing minnows and sunken brush in 15 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

17 Sept 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 80 degrees, and the lake is falling.

Bass: A few bass are being caught on topwater baits while fishing schooling shad in the creeks.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling main lake flats at night in 25 feet of water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught under docks on minnows in 15-20 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

03 Sept 2021

Center Creek

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 83 degrees, and the lake is fairly stable.

Bass: Several bass are being caught at night on soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and jigs while fishing points and drops in 15-30 feet of water.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers and jigging spoons on flats and humps in 25-28 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

27 Aug 2021

Center Creek

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is slow. The water temperature in 86 degrees and the lake is falling.

Bass: Several bass are being caught at night while fishing soft plastics on breaks and points in 15-25 feet of water.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawler rigs on flats in 25 feet of water near Floating Mill.

Catfish: A few catfish are being caught on trotlines while baiting with bluegill in 20 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

20 Aug 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is slow. The water temperature is 84 degrees and the lake is falling.

Bass: A few bass are being caught at night on soft plastics on drops and channel points in 20 feet of water.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while jigging spoons and trolling on humps and gravel banks in 26 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

13 Aug 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is slow. The water temperature is 86 degrees and the lake is falling.

Bass: A few bass are being caught at night on soft plastics and jigs while fishing points and drops in 20 feet of water.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers and jigs on gravel banks and humps in 22-25 feet of water.

Catfish: A few catfish are being caught while fishing with cut baits on trotlines in the creeks.

 

 

 

 

06 Aug 2021

Center Hill

Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 86 degrees and the lake is falling.

Bass: Several bass are being caught at night on soft plastics and jigs on points and drops in 15-25 feet of water.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on flats in 25 feet of water near Hurricane Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

30 July 2021

Center Hill
Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 86 degrees and the lake is falling.
Bass: Lots of bass are being caught on soft plastics and jigs on drops in 15-20 feet of water.
Walleye: Lots of walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on flats in 20-25 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

23 July 2021

Center Hill
Forecast ContributorDanny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature 85 degrees and the lake is falling.
Bass: Several bass are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing points with flooded bushes in 15 feet of water.
Walleye: Several walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on gravel banks and flats in 22 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

09 July 2021

Center Hill
Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature 85 degrees and the lake is falling.
Bass: Several bass are being caught at night on soft plastics while fishing points with flooded bushes in 15 feet of water.
Walleye: Several walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on gravel banks and flats in 22 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

02 July 2021

Center Hill
Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 83 degrees and the lake is falling.
Bass: Several bass are being caught at night on soft plastics on drops and flats in 15 feet of water.
Walleye: Several walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on flats in 17-20 feet of water.

 

 

 

 

25 June 2021

Center Hill         
Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 82 degrees and the lake is falling. Bass: Several bass are being caught in the morning on topwater baits while fishing flooded bushes on the main lake.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on gravel banks in 15-20 feet of water.

 

 

 

18 June 2021

Center Hill
Forecast Contributor – Danny Stone – TWRA Creel Clerk
Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 82 degrees and the lake is falling. Bass: Lots of bass are being caught early in the morning on topwater baits while fishing flooded bushes on the main lake.
Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on gravel banks in 20 feet of water. Catfish: Lots of catfish are being caught on trotlines and noodle while baiting with bluegill.

 

 

 

11 June 2021
Center Hill

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 78 degrees and the lake is rising.

Bass: Several bass are being caught at night on soft plastics and spinnerbaits while fishing shallow points and bushes in 5-10 feet of water.

Walleye: A few walleye are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on flats in 10-15 feet of water.

Catfish: A few catfish are being caught on trotline while baiting with bluegill in the creeks.

 

 

 

04 June 2021

Center Hill

Reservoir Conditions: Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 73 degrees and the lake is rising.

Smallmouth Bass: Several smallmouths are being caught at night on jigs and spinnerbaits while fishing points in 5-10 feet of water.

Largemouth Bass: Several largemouth and spots are being caught on topwater baits while fishing flooded bushes in the creeks. Walleye: A few walleyes are being caught while trolling nightcrawlers on gravel banks in 15 feet of water.