I am looking for water to fish around Knoxville. It needs to be accessible for a kayak is my only stipulation and preferably not far away.

I assume you are a student at UT. If so just below the football stadium is the Tennessee river which is well known for its bass fishing. You are within 25 miles of 6 lakes( Loudon, Tellico, Douglas, Cherokee, Norris and Watts Bar) that have over 500 miles of shoreline. Numerous opportunities for good fishing and easy launching, all have numerous ramps.

Melton Hill Lake I didn't include in this list because I don't think it has 500 miles of shoreline but it is within 25 miles of UT and has several hundred miles of shoreline. It does have good fishing as well. To access this lake drive straight out Oak Ridge Hwy/ Western Ave to the lake. A bridge crosses the lake and has a launch next to the bridge.

The best place to launch on Melton Hill for you would be Carbide Park. Google it for directions or ask anyone around the lake. The park is very nice and is located in a cove with very good fishing. It is popular with canoes/kayak fishermen as well as bass boats and pleasure boats. You are in an area of very good fishing. Ask anyone in the fishing departments at Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain or Dick's Sporting Goods for additional info......................Al

Thanks for the help!

2nd Creek where it empties into Ft Loudon main is a nice place to fish if you're short on time, but watch out for water quality warnings. There's also a creek down below the engineering building that empties in near the Crew Boathouse. I used to drive down to Ft Loudon dam and fish for stripers and smallmouth, very fun. There's almost always white bass below Douglas dam and willing smallmouth in the Little Pigeon in the spring/summer. Ton of fun on an UL or flyrod. If you want to get away, rent a canoe or kayak (or hike) and go up the Abram's Creek inlet from Chilhowee Lake into the GSM Park for smallmouth. Or just fish Chilhowee or one of the other Finger Lakes of the Smokies for trout and bass. Another fun trip is up to the Obed near Wartburg for smallies, with the chance for a musky (seriously). Finally, the Clinch below Norris dam has world class trout fishing, with an occasional striper as you get further away from the dam. There is a wealth of diverse fishing opportunities within an hour around Knoxville; the hardest part is deciding where to go!