TWRA is now publishing fishing forecast for area lakes: The TWRA wants to build a comprehensive report each week of the state’s lakes. If you do not see a report for your favorite lake and you are someone who can provide a report please contact us at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov and provide us with your contact information
Norris Tailwater Fishing Report: 17 Feb 2026
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been very good this past few weeks on the Tailwater with some great shots of catching big brown trout using a few different techniques, however large streamers or large swim baits are working best!! There are lots of rainbow trout being caught along the tailwater. They have been a little pickier with what they are eating, thinking small.
Make sure to check TVA’s website https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris for the generation schedule and flow rates on the river.
11 Feb 2026
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been really good along the tailwaters. Lots of brown trout are being caught along with some very nice slot rainbow trout. The smaller presentation seems to be working better. Please check TVA for your flows.
Make sure to check TVA’s website for the generation schedule and flow rates on the river.
22 Jan 2026
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has steadily been picking up throughout these winter months, with lots of brown trout and rainbow trout being caught. A few nice slot and over slot fish have been being caught on flies along with conventional angling, using corn, worms, and spinners.
Make sure to check TVA’s website https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris for generation schedule, and flow rates on the river.
10 Dec 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been great with lots of brown trout being caught. The go-to fly is a streamer. It seems the overcast weather is making the fish active and hungry. Good luck and tight lines! Remember to check the flows.
Make sure to check TVA’s website https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris for the generation schedule and flow rates on the river.
04 Nov 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been great along the tailwater with lots of rainbow trout being caught.
The midge has been the go-to fly. Spinners, along with Powerbait and worms, have been really working well for the conventional anglers.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating guide and Norris Lake levels.
08 Oct 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been great, with some big trout moving around. Big streamers and other large flies have been working well! Don’t forget, you cannot harvest trout 14-20 inches from the dam downstream to the Hwy. 61 bridge, and the daily creel limit is 7 trout with one over 20 inches.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating guide and Norris Lake levels.
02 Oct 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been great along the tailwater with these cooler nights. The fish have been active in the evening, spinners, spoons, and flies being the go-to lately.
The last stocking of Rainbow Trout was put in last week, but wild browns and rainbows are abundant. Enjoy the cooler weather out on the tailwater! Don’t forget, you cannot harvest trout 14-20 inches from the dam downstream to the Hwy. 61 bridge, and the daily creel limit is 7 trout with one over 20 inches.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating guide and Norris Lake levels.
17 Sept 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been great along the tailwater with these cooler nights. The fish have been active in the evening, spinners, spoons, and flies being the go-to lately. The last stocking of Rainbow Trout was put in last week, but wild browns and rainbows are abundant. Enjoy the cooler weather out on the tailwater! Don’t forget, you cannot harvest trout 14-20 inches from the dam downstream to the Hwy. 61 bridge, and the daily creel limit is 7 trout with one over 20 inches.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating guide and Norris Lake levels.
29 Aug 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing has been great on Norris Tailwater with lots of Brown and Rainbow trout being caught. Spinners, spoons, and worms have been working great throughout August. Fly anglers in boats are doing very well this time of year as well. If you don’t have a boat, but have a kayak or canoe, a good float is to put in at Miller’s Island and take out at Peach Orchard.
Stocking of Rainbow Trout will continue through September. Enjoy the cooler weather out on the tailwater! Don’t forget, you cannot harvest trout 14-20 inches from the dam downstream to the Hwy. 61 bridge, and the daily creel limit is 7 trout with one over 20 inches
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating guide and Norris Lake levels.
23 July 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Fishing on the tailwater is still great, and some big rainbow trout have been caught on Sulphur flies along with spinners. The big brown trout are also being landed using big baits like spoons.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating guide and Norris Lake levels
25 June 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
The summer is heating up and so are the trout on the tailwater. Lots of rainbow trout and brown trout are being caught and some big ones. They have been catching them on spoons, glide baits, and large flies. Be sure to check the flows before you go out.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating-guide and Norris lake-levels
18 June 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
The sulphur hatch is going on now, with lots of rainbow and brown trout being caught. Rainbow Trout are being stocked each month at the access areas and are being caught on rooster tails and power bait, frequently.
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
11 June 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
The sulphur hatch is going on now, along with the tail end of the cicada hatch. Lots of rainbow and brown trout are being caught. Rainbow Trout are being stocked each month at the access areas.
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
28 May 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Large Brown and Rainbow Trout are being caught on dry flies. Rainbow Trout are being stocked monthly and are able to be caught on bait and spinners as well. Try fishing with cicadas in the evening.
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
07 May 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Trout fishing has been good at Norris Tailwater by boat, wading, and bank anglers. Rainbow Trout were stocked on April 22, 2025, along with Brown Trout stocked in March 2025.
Check the TVA website for more information. Norris Lake operating-guide and Norris lake-levels
30 April 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Trout fishing has been good at Norris Tailwater by boat, wading, and bank anglers. Rainbow Trout were stocked on April 22nd, along with Brown Trout stocked in March
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
17 April 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Brown Trout were stocked at the end of March and the beginning of April. Rainbow Trout are being stocked monthly. These fish are smart, match the hatch!!
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
10 April 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Brown trout and rainbow trout are being stocked, which makes trout fishing incredible along the tailwater.
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
03 April 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Brown trout and rainbow trout are being stocked which has the Trout fishing incredible along the tail waters the past few weeks with lots of brown trout and rainbow trout being caught.
Check the TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris
19 Feb 2025
Report Contributor – Scott Dalton, Wildlife Tech 1
Last week fishing was great when the generators were not running with lots of rainbow and brown trout caught. While the generators were running, drift boats were doing well too. With additional precipitation, Norris is well above the guide curve and water is being sluiced (2 generators and sluice gate open). During this time fishing is more difficult. Use extreme caution.
Check TVA website for more information. https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris/operating-guide and https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/norris