Fishing Report provided by TWRA Creel Clerks through Fishing Forecast
Center Hill Tailwaters (Caney Fork River) Fishing Report: 15 Jan 2026
Report Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Fish 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
With little water coming into the reservoir and elevations near the bottom of the guide curve, we can expect more of the same with the generation schedule. The rainy season was supposed to start several weeks ago, but according to the US Drought Monitor, the Caney Fork Watershed ranges from abnormally dry to moderate drought. We have been seeing mostly one-unit for a few hours in the morning and a few more hours in the afternoon on mild days. On particularly cold days, we will likely see extended two-unit generation to meet power demands. The USACE will pulse one-unit-hour at least every 8 hours, so be sure to monitor the schedule for the day if you are wading.
Water temperatures have finally dipped down into the high 40s, and we are seeing some shad pass through the dam. Water temperatures below 42F can be lethal to Threadfin Shad, but temperatures in the mid-40s will slow them down enough to be sucked through the dam. Looking at the 7-day forecast, we should have some great action if you can brave the elements.
Trout- Fishing has been good. We are getting reports of large browns, rainbows, and brooks. During generation, spoons and streamers have been the ticket. Anything that looks like a lethargic shad should be a good start; it will be up to the angler to figure out speed and depth. If they are not generating, try midge patterns or low-and-slow with small jigs.
Other- Folks are catching walleye, sauger, drum, and crappie.
18 Nov 2025
Report Contributors – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Fish 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
Although the weather has cooled off, we aren’t out of the woods with water quality on the Caney Fork. We have had improvements in releases with the orifice coming back online in 2024; however, we are dealing with unusually poor water quality this fall. A very wet April/May used up a lot of the cold-water banked from last winter. Center Hill Reservoir always thermally stratifies each summer and fall, but the volume of cold oxygenated water fluctuates each year. Stratification prevents the oxygen-rich water near the surface from mixing with deeper water where the dam releases are located. Currently, there is no oxygen in the reservoir below 38 feet deep. In most years, we only get a few weeks of this, but in 2025, we are dealing with months of it. All we can do is wait for the lake to turn over, which is usually caused by cold rain coupled with a few windy days to stir it up. Center Hill Reservoir typically does not turn over until late November or early December. Temperatures from the orifice hover near 57°F while the generators are releasing temperatures around 64-65°F. The orifice is deeper than the generators and pulling from a cooler band of water.
Trout- Fishing has picked up. While some folks are still struggling, we are talking to others who are having great double-digit days. We are getting decent DO at times throughout the day, and the fish seem to be responsive. Nymphs and small jigs should be the ticket. The lake still needs to turn over.
Other- Some walleye, drum, and yellow bass around.
29 Oct 2025
Report Contributors – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Fish Biologist, and Avery Kyser, Creel Clerk
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
Although the weather has cooled off, we aren’t out of the woods with water quality on the Caney Fork. We have had improvements in releases with the orifice coming back online in 2024; however, we are dealing with unusually poor water quality this fall. A very wet April/May used up a lot of the cold-water banked from last winter. Center Hill Reservoir always thermally stratifies each summer and fall, but the volume of cold oxygenated water fluctuates each year. Stratification prevents the oxygen-rich water near the surface from mixing with deeper water where the dam releases are located. Currently, there is no oxygen in the reservoir below 38 feet deep. In most years, we only get a few weeks of this, but in 2025, we are dealing with months of it. All we can do is wait for the lake to turn over, which is usually caused by cold rain coupled with a few windy days to stir it up. Center Hill Reservoir typically does not turn over until late November or early December. Temperatures from the orifice hover near 57°F while the generators are releasing temperatures around 64-65°F. The orifice is deeper than the generators and pulling from a cooler band of water.
Trout- Fishing has been slow. During the summer, we stock the river with ~3,000 Rainbow Trout weekly. In the fall, we reduce stockings to every other week. We also stock several hundred 2–4-pound retired brood Rainbow Trout each year. Brown are stocked at small sizes each winter and require 4-5 years to grow to 24 inches. The poor water quality is going to keep the trout tight-lipped. Some anglers are still catching trout, but on average, it’s taking a couple of hours per trout. Water quality does improve the further downstream you go, and is back above state standards by Happy Hollow.
Other- Anglers are still finding a few stripers hanging around.
28 Aug 2025
Report Contributors – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Fish Biologist, and Avery Kyser, Creel Clerk
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
We are in the heat of the summer, and flows have been in a consistent pattern. Throughout the week, we have been seeing orifice only until early afternoon, and the generators running for several hours into the evening. On the weekend, it is mostly open around the clock with a midday pulse. Be sure to check before you leave because sometimes, on particularly hot days, they will need additional generation to meet power demand. Water temperatures have been 58-62°F.
Trout- Fishing has been fair. We are getting some lousy reports and decent reports. The upper river seems to be producing better, but later summer typically slows down as water quality declines. We are stocking the river weekly in August with around 3,000 Rainbows each week. On August 20th, we were able to stock 300 retired brood Rainbow Trout with each averaging 18-20” long. Bait anglers have been using old faithful methods of worms on the bottom. Spin fishers are having their best luck in the latter half of the day when the generation is on, mimicking dying shad. We don’t have a lot of bugs hatching this time of year, so fly fishers have been most effective with emergers on the swing and woolly buggers.
Other- Anglers are still catching some panfish, walleye, and striped bass.
10 July 2025
Report Contributor – Avery Kyser, Creel Clerk
River Conditions – Be sure to check the generation schedule the day of your trip, as forecasted flows often change: TVA Lake Levels for Center Hill Lake, Tennessee
We are getting into the middle of summer and seeing consistent operations out of the dam. The orifice gate is open and will stay open through the end of November. Water temperatures have been 56°F. Dissolved oxygen is still hovering in the safe range for adult trout.
Trout – Fishing has been good. Spin anglers have been doing well drifting red worms and garlic scented egg balls. For fly fisherman, elk hair caddis.
Other – You can expect to catch the occasional skipjack, crappie, smallmouth, or largemouth.
26 June 2025
Report Contributor – Avery Kyser, Creel Clerk
River Conditions – Be sure to check the generation schedule the day of your trip, as forecasted flows often change: TVA Lake Levels for Center Hill Lake, Tennessee
The Caney Fork is expected to have more consistent low flows, based on the long-range weather forecast. The orifice gate is open and will stay open through the end of November. Water temperatures have been 55°F. The hot days have slowed the bite down midday, though.
Trout – Fishing has been good. Spin anglers have been doing well drifting red worms and power bait or small jigs. For fly anglers, streamers have been reliable, but lots of trout have been caught on size 14-18 pheasant tails.
Other – You can expect to catch the occasional walleye or striped bass.
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.