Looks like I’ll be staying in Chattanooga from about the 1st week of August through October/November for work. Looking forward to getting in some fishing up there.

 

How’s the accessibility directly below Chickamuaga? Wading below the dam is the first thing that obviously pops out on the map, is it safe to do so or do they typically keep water flowing at a good rate? Probably scan the topos for any good structure coming near a park to do some casting on the main lake.

 

Of course I’ll need to check out the creeks throughout town, I assume they’d predominantly hold largemouth. Any chance at a smallie, spot, or redeye in the creeks?

 

Add in being a relatively short drive from the mountains and being in Tennessee for bow season, I’m looking forward to it.

 

Any main City restaurants or locations anyone recommend I take a look at?

I don’t think I would wade much of anywhere below the dam. Not good footing and swift water, many places one step off the bank  and it’s over your head . The shore fishing is usually excellent below tva dams, you’ll see where the public fishing areas are 

43 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I don’t think I would wade much of anywhere below the dam. Not good footing and swift water, many places one step off the bank  and it’s over your head . The shore fishing is usually excellent below tva dams, you’ll see where the public fishing areas are 

Good to know, haven’t found anything about wading below the dam doing some googling so I figured as much.

 

Always hear the best fishing in TVA lakes is directly above and below the dam.

Oh yes, and definitely visit the TN aquarium in downtown 

Actually there is a sandbar directly below the dam that always has people wading. You do have to pay attention to the flow, but it is a great place to fish in the fall for smallmouths.

On 7/22/2022 at 6:52 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Oh yes, and definitely visit the TN aquarium in downtown 

I’ve been there.   They wouldn’t let me fish.  ?

On 8/4/2022 at 12:46 PM, Tennessee Boy said:

I’ve been there.   They wouldn’t let me fish.  ?

You gotta go reeeeally early or reeaaally late… 

Swing by the dam the other day just to check it out. I’m assuming they were generating but I definitely won’t be wading there, some serious flow coming out.

 

Did fish a small creek yesterday and got 7 little smallmouth.

12 hours ago, bigbassin' said:

Swing by the dam the other day just to check it out. I’m assuming they were generating but I definitely won’t be wading there, some serious flow coming out.

 

Did fish a small creek yesterday and got 7 little smallmouth.

Bout 40,000 cubic feet per second as of late. It can be over 100,000 in winter pretty regularly