Fishing Report provided by TWRA Creel Clerks through Fishing Forecast
Center Hill Tailwaters (Caney Fork River) Fishing Report: 29 May 2025
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions- Be sure to check the generation schedule the day of your trip, as forecasted flows often change: https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/center-hill
The Caney Fork will be moving a lot of water over the next several days to try and keep up with the rainfall and target 643’ in the reservoir for spill gate maintenance. The orifice gate should be opened afterwards and stay open through the end of November. We should start seeing some low-flow conditions in the next week. Water temperatures have been 55°F.
Trout – Fishing has been slow. Some nice Browns have been caught recently, but the high flows have made fishing tough. Successful anglers have been using baits that resemble small shad. White paddle tails and streamers are a good starting point.
Other – You can expect to catch the occasional Skipjack, White Bass, or Crappie. Some Walleye and Sculpin are being landed as well.
2025 Periodical Cicada Emergence- Still few to no Cicadas on the Caney. The emergence seems to be tracking tightly with many of the projected maps. Check your maps, try an area, and don’t be afraid to move 1-2 miles if you are not seeing chasing. The bite is very isolated but can be excellent. It should be good for a few more weeks.
22 May 2025
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions – Be sure to check the generation schedule the day of your trip, as forecasted flows often change: https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/center-hill
Center Hill Dam will be moving a lot of water over the next several days to try and keep up with the rainfall and target 643’ in the reservoir for spill gate maintenance. The orifice gate should be opened afterwards and stay open through the end of November. Water temperatures have been 54°F.
Trout – Fishing is good. I weighed an angler who caught a 6-pound Brown on Thursday. Bank fishing is going to be tough/crowded with all the generation forecasted. Boat fishing is possible with 2-3 units, but be careful and wear your life jacket. Anglers have been successful with paddle tails, jerk baits, and streamers.
Other – You can expect to catch the occasional Skipjack, Bluegill, or Crappie. Some Walleye and Drum are being landed as well.
2025 Periodical Cicada Emergence -Still few to no Cicadas on the Caney. The Obey below Dale Hollow is reported to be covered. The emergence seems to be tracking tightly with many of the projected maps. Check your maps, try an area, and don’t be afraid to move 1-2 miles if you are not seeing chasing. I have recorded decibel readings up to 85 in locations elsewhere, and the emergence seems to be really hitting its stride. I spoke with a farmer who was bush hogging inside an 85hp air-conditioned-cab tractor and had to stop because he thought a bearing had failed—it was just Cicadas. The larger fish are starting to key in, and we should have a good bite for a few more weeks. Good luck.
15 May 2025
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions- Be sure to check the generation schedule the day of your trip, as forecasted flows often change: https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/center-hill
The Caney Fork is back to typical spring flows. The Corps have been running 1-2 generators at a time with more low flow on the weekends. The orifice gate should be opened on June 1 and stay open through the end of November. Water temperatures have been 53°F.
Trout- Fishing is good. Over the last several days, folks have been averaging several trout each trip. We are getting reports of Rainbows, Browns, and Brooks. Most parties are catching fish, but some are catching over 50 on a trip. Fly anglers have been successful with dries throughout the day and size 10 white streamers in the pools. Spin anglers have been successful with Rapalas and rooster-tails.
2025 Periodical Cicada Emergence – We had a decent emergence in 2024 on the Caney, but heavy rains during prime time meant the Corps had to open all the spill gates for flood control. Based on historical maps, Brood XIV could hit Caney this year as well, but so far, it seems to have just missed. They are abundant just a few miles away on the upper parts of Center Hill Reservoir, but hardly anything yet in the tailwater. They are becoming widespread in the higher elevations of the Cumberland Plateau and east into the upper Tennessee Valley. In one area on Thursday, I could even hear their drone while on a plane going 25 mph with a 2-stroke jet boat. There are also robust reports in portions of Grundy, Warren, Putnam, Overton, Clay, Pickett, Fentress, Scott, and Campbell counties. It seems the fish need about a week of Cicada frenzy before the bite is on. Stay tuned.
Other- Some sunfish, crappie, Skipjack, and Freshwater Drum are also being caught.
08 May 2025
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions- TVA Environment and Lake Levels for Center Hill
The Caney Fork was back to minimum flows last weekend and at times throughout the week. The Corps has been pulsing only 1-2 generators at a time, but after this last rain, will at times use all three units. Be sure to check the generation schedule before you leave the house. Water temperatures have been 53°F.
Trout- Fishing is excellent. In the past few days, folks have been averaging several trout each trip. We are getting reports of Rainbows, Browns, and Brooks. Although some groups struggle to find fish, there are others catching over 50 on a trip. Fly anglers have been successful in the afternoons on dry flies, but midges deeper in the water column have been a safe bet. Spin anglers have been successful with Rapalas. A few cicadas in the area, but not yet abundant.
Other– You can expect to catch the occasional Skipjack, White Bass, or Crappie.
21 March 2025
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region III Fisheries Biologist
River Conditions- Center Hill Dam has been generating 3 units 24/7 for close to a week now. They will probably continue 2-3 generators for several days to get the lake ready for another spring rain. Water temperatures have been around 49F. Agency staff will be conducting creel surveys through October, so we look forward to seeing you all out and hearing about your trip.
Trout- Fishing is good. We are still having shad pass through the turbines and the fish know it. With the water up, streamers or bait patterns are going to be your best bet. Wade fishing was decent before the recent rains with anglers experiencing “bite windows” or the fish being completely turned off. As we start to get lower flows towards the end of the month, be ready to take advantage of some areas that haven’t seen much pressure for a few weeks and the Blue Wing Olive hatches in sunny stretches.
26 Sept 2018
Caney Fork River
Fishing is slow.
A few trout are being caught during periods of no flow while fishing flies near the dam.
Some stripers are being caught near Gordonsville while fishing shad.
19 Sept 2018
Caney Fork River
Fishing is slow.
A few trout are being caught during periods of no flow while fishing flies near the dam.
Some stripers are being caught near Gordonsville while fishing shad.