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
Nickajack Lake Fishing Report: 06 Feb 2024
Forecast Contributor Ethan Castle – Whitwell High School Bass Team
Water temps have been ranging from 46 to 52 with this warm weather we have been having and the bass fishing is starting to pick up and should keep getting better. Most of my bass have been coming off of grass lines ranging from 8 to 12 feet of water all on rattle traps, jigs, and crankbaits, the best color right now will be any craw pattern. Although you won’t get many bites it seems cranking riprap banks are starting to produce some bigger fish, the main color is a craw pattern with a little orange. Throwing an A-rig is also still producing some good fish.
16 Sept 2022
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
NEW
On Chickamauga and Nickajack I’ve been punching isolated mats and getting some pretty good quality fish. I’ve been catching two or three out of one mat and then having to find another one. In the bigger mats the bites have been seldom but the isolated mats it will always have two or three fish in them. Also catching fish on a small spinner bait really well. The spinner baits have been different colors, but it seemed liked the small willow blade size is what mattered. The bass are eating the small minnows right now. Also catching fish on a small buzz bait right now. A small Zorro head knockers. I’ve also been told people are catching some good fish on an A-Rig out from the grass. The frog bite may turn on in the next week or so.
26 Aug 2022
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
NEW
The last trip I had we caught 21 fish in around five hours. Ditches of 18 to 22 feet are holding good fish. We’re also catching fish up shallow but there’s nothing in between. The oxygen level in that mid-range water is not too strong this time of year so I always go deep and shallow. I caught them shallow on top water, punching and a frog. Out deep I was catching them on a drop shot and a little spoon. I was getting solid three pounders deep but there were a few bigger one’s shallow. Some of the bass will be moving up soon.
19 Aug 2022
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
NEW
I had the pleasure of spending a several days over the past week on Nickajack with clients visiting area from Chicago…The Dog Days are here for sure. We boated several nice fish mainly all on Tightline Mussel Crawler Jigs and Tightline Jigs “Catch 5” Big’N in a white Shad or Guntersville Special Swim Jigs. Water temps ranged from 85 to 87 degrees. We found our fish scattered on roadbeds, main channel grass and points while covering water from Marion County Park down to Shellmound State Park. Our best fish came from 14 FOW using Mussel Crawler Tightline Jigs with twin turbo tail trails.
24 June 2022
Nickajack Forecast
Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://www.midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Bass can be found around grass lines and upriver; best result came on Tightline Swim Jigs with Driftwood Swimbaits and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Early morning or late evening is the best chance to put several good fish in the boat. Some have moved to the ledges. Water temperatures range from 85.6 to 88 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
10 June 2022
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
NEW
I’ve been on Nickajack for the last week and I’ve caught several bass out on ledges there with a shakey head, a few on a jig and some on a drop shot. I caught a few good ones on a preacher jig which is a big hair jig. According to where we’re fishing some of the fish are real deep in 22 to 24 feet of water. I saw one school of fish that had to have at 50 to 60 fish in it. So, it’s lining up the same as Chickamauga and from what I’m hearing it’s all the way up and down the river. It’s just Tennessee ledge fishing time.
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
Bass can be found around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits, and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Some have moved to the ledges already. Water temperatures range from 76 to 79 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
13 May 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits, and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Some have moved to the ledges already. Water temperatures range from 70 to 74 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest
22 April 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
There are a lot of fish starting to pop up and make beds. The females were out in about four feet of water just outside of them. The full moon Good Friday will have them popping up. Nickajack is again further ahead of the other lakes because it’s the only lake where the water has been more stable. Chickamauga is running behind and the day I was on Tims Ford it seems to be running behind too. On Nickajack I caught the smaller fish on a Sinko and a chatter bait. We moved out a little and worked the Sinko slower and got a few bigger fish.
15 April 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
I guided Nickajack this weekend. Last Friday there were a lot of fish starting to pop up and make beds. The females were out in about four feet of water just outside of them. The full moon Good Friday will have them popping up. Nickajack is again further ahead of the other lakes because it’s the only lake where the water has been more stable. Chickamauga is running behind and the day I was on Tims Ford it seems to be running behind too. On Nickajack I caught the smaller fish on a Sinko and a chatter bait. We moved out a little and worked the Sinko slower and got a few bigger fish.
25 March 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
Nickajack is still further ahead. I found one school of fish. My boat was in about eight feet, and I was throwing into four feet and working an 80-yard stretch that was just loaded with fish waiting to move up. I worked some patches of eel grass where it’s clumped up and there’s some fish hanging around it pretty good. I caught fish on an A-rig, a chatter bait, a lipless and a few on a jig.
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
Watch for floating log and trash in the river…with recent rains and increased river flow there is lots of stuff coming down river. Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits, and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Some have moved into the pockets and pre-spawn staging areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Water temperatures range from 58 to 61 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
18 March 2022
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
Nickajack is ahead of Chickamauga. There’s a lot of good fishing popping up here, but the water is more stable. Use a chatter bait and rattle trap here like Chick on any clumps of grass but we’re also catching them on any of the staging areas. I found about four different schools about a week ago.
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
Watch for floating log and trash in the river…with recent rains and increased river flow there is lots of stuff coming down river. Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits, and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Some have moved into the pockets and pre-spawn staging areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Water temperatures range from 57 to 59 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
11 March 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – www.hensleypowellfishing.com – Follow on Facebook
Nickajack is fishing really good. We’re catching a few big bass and a bunch of two and three quarter to three pound fish. We caught them on a crankbait, a jig and a chatterbait.
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
Watch for floating log and trash in the river…with recent rains and increased river flow there is lots of stuff coming down river. Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Water temperatures range from 51 to 59 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
25 Feb 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
Watch for floating log and trash in the river…with recent rains and increased river flow there is lots of stuff coming down river. Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits, and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Water temperatures range from 45 to 49 degrees. Fishing below the dam may have some action but also could be very dangerous until the water flow is reduced.
18 Feb 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – midsouthbassguide.com – Follow on Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on rattle baits, jerk baits, and Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Water temperatures range from 45 to 49 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
Jan 2022
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow on Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Water temperatures range from 48 to 51 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working live bait and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
17 Dec 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Top water action is in full swing on the Nick. Water temperatures range from 55 to 57 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
10 Dec 2021
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and upriver; best result came on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Top water action is in full swing on the Nick. Water temperatures range from 57 to 60 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest
Mid Nov 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and up river; best result came on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Umbrella rig action is the go-to for tournament anglers. Top water action is in full swing on the Nick. Water temperatures range from 60 to 62 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
22 Oct 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result came on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Top water action is in full swing on the Nick. Water temperatures range from 74 to 75degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest.
17 Sept 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Hensley Powell – https://www.hensleypowellfishing.com/ – Follow on Facebook
Powell states he’s been going up in the river on Nickajack and catching bass pretty well on a frog and flipping. He states he’s catching as many on shallow hydrilla flats on the river as he is in the creeks on Nickajack and Chickamauga. The fish are scattered right now but that’s normal for September. He states for his guide trips currently he’s got a white buzz bait, a frog and a punching stick on the deck and using those all day long. The buzz bait is only a ¼ ounce bait because the fish won’t hit the bigger ones. He states the bass are eating the small minnows in the river right now.
03 Sept 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 86 to 87 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest
Anthony Eldridge states the report is much the same with bigger fishing coming from punching. – The frog bite has definitely picked up on Nickajack and the punching bite is still hot with some large fish coming by punching 1.5 to 2 oz. weighted creature baits in the mats. If I were looking for the best 5 fish, right now, I would keep the punch rig in my hand all day and believe I would come out by the end of the day with close to 20lbs with a possibly of much more. Nickajack holds some large fish that are caught punching every year. Keep an eye out for active fish further in the mat and keep the frog on the deck just in case you see one move.
27 Aug 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 86 to 87 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest
Anthony Eldridge states the report is much the same with bigger fishing coming from punching. – The frog bite has definitely picked up on Nickajack and the punching bite is still hot with some large fish coming by punching 1.5 to 2 oz. weighted creature baits in the mats. If I were looking for the best 5 fish, right now, I would keep the punch rig in my hand all day and believe I would come out by the end of the day with close to 20lbs with a possibly of much more. Nickajack holds some large fish that are caught punching every year. Keep an eye out for active fish further in the mat and keep the frog on the deck just in case you see one move.
20 Aug 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; the best results have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 86 to 87 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest
Anthony Eldridge – The frog bite has definitely picked up on Nickajack and the punching bite is still hot with some large fish coming by punching 1.5 to 2 oz. weighted creature baits in the mats. If I were looking for the best 5 fish, right now, I would keep the punch rig in my hand all day and believe I would come out by the end of the day with close to 20lbs with a possibility of much more. Nickajack holds some large fish that are caught punching every year. Keep an eye out for active fish further in the mat and keep the frog on the deck just in case you see one move.
Hensley Powell is catching some early in deep water but the fish scatter after catching a few. You can pull up on a school and catch four of five of them and you’re about done. They’re finicky right now. I’ve been going up into the river and some of the grass has hollowed out and I can catch the fire out of them. I can catch them on a frog and flipping a D Bomb.
13 July 2021
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
Bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 86 to 87 degrees. Some good action can be found just below the Nickajack Dam working topwater and spoons in the current…just wear your life vest
Additional reports – Fishing is ultra-hot right now. The grass bite has been on fire with numbers of good size fish being taken in the grass on punch rigs and some action even coming on hollow bodied frogs.
Hensley Powell has been on Nickajack several times lately and states that the most recent trip saw 24 fish caught with all coming in 18 to 20 feet of water. The fish are still moving around in what look like bait balls. The fish are moving from spot to spot even though they’re staying in the same area. He feels like there will be an early fall bite as he got some frog bites. Powell believes in a couple of weeks he’ll be throwing topwater all the time.
06 July 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/ – Follow On Facebook
The bite remains the same and bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 83 to 86 degrees.
30 July 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MSBGJake
The bite remains the same and bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 83 to 86 degrees.
23 July 2021
Nickajack
Forecast Contributor Captain Jake Davis – https://midsouthbassguide.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MSBGJake
Bass can be around grass lines and on the ledges; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila with green pumpkin trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Water temperatures range from 83 to 86 degrees.
09 July 2021
02 July 2021
25 June 2021
18 June 2021
11 June 2021
04 June 2021
28 May 2021
The bass have moved out deep here too. About every deep hole they school in has fish on them right now. They aren’t only the river but a lot of the places three quarters of the way to the river they’re stacked up on. It’s pretty much the same deal up and down the river.
Captain Jake Davis adds, Bass can be found in all stages; best result have been on Jigs with primary colors Green Tequila and Black-Blue with trailers and Swim jigs around grass and the first primary river channel ledge areas. Shellcrackers have moved up. Look for a major push with the upcoming full moon. Water temperatures range from 76 to 80 degrees.
21 May 2021
14 May 2021
Nickajack – Hensley Powell reports Nickajack is fishing much the same as Chickamauga but that more fish have moved out deep on Nickajack. Bass are hitting football head jigs, crank baits, and swim baits. He’s also caught some on a deep shakey head and he’s hearing shell crackers are on bed and being caught pretty good.
07 May 2021
Hensley Powell reports Nickajack is a little further along that Chickamauga but there is a shad spawn going on there as well. There are fish that are going to bed, on the bed and leaving the beds. The topwater and spinner bait are again the best things for first thing in the morning. When that bite stops Powell recommends flipping rocks where fish are going in and out of bedding areas.
30 April 2021
Nickajack – Whitwell High School Angler and 2020 TN Bass Nation State Champion Westin Moss reports the bass are mixed between spawning and post-spawn. He says you can catch them on a jig or topwater in 3-6 feet or in 10-15 feet for the post-spawn bass. Moss recommends looking for crappie on docks and brush while using Bobby Garland baby shad crappie bait in monkey milk color. Moss and partner Luke Fraley won the Wednesday night tournament out of Marion County Park with three bass going 11.61 pounds including the 7.77-pound big fish in a three-fish tournament.
