Need advice: Recommendations on SMALL reserviors with good bass fishing

[adamwstewart]

Hey folks---

I'm looking for some input. My church is planning to have a mens' retreat in a few weekends. The plan was originally to do a three-day float of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. However, it appears that extremely low water will hamper that plan. In light of the drought conditions, it may not be feasible to float any other small rivers.

I'm looking for suggestions regarding SMALL (i.e., canoe-accessible) reserviors or lakes in the area, either TN or GA. It must have the following combination of elements: camping (primitive camping ok), decent bass (ideally smallmouth, but we're not too picky) fishing, and must be within 4 hours of Chattanooga. I'm thinking that a large lake with lots of powerboat traffic will be problematic (canoes). But I'm also looking for something that's a bit isolated. A final issue is that no one really wants to purchase out of state TN trout stamps, either annual or temporary.

Is anyone familiar with Conasauga Lake? I was there years ago, but I know the lake has been drained since I was last there.

Any suggestions?

AWS

 

[Fishin' Junkie]

You should look at Rocky Mountain PFA in Rome, Ga. THey have a good camping area and there is a no wake speed limit on the lakes.

 

[Guest]

I'll second the Rocky Mtn. Public Fishing Area. It has everything you will want except smallmouth. Great bass fishing,crappie,bluegill and catfish. Minimal cost and 1-1/2 hours from Chattanooga. Perfect for canoes and they have any kind of camping. Covered pavillions and picnic areas. No alchohol is allowed and is run by the GA DNR which means it is heavily patroled by the GA squirrel sherrifs.
It also has a sandy beach with swimming for everyone. Best of all ther are no jetskis allowed and all boats must run at idle speed only. 3 lakes at about 200,300 and 250 acres.

Cheez

 

[jon the fisherman]

Indian boundry near citico and tellico. You could bass fish in the lake and wonder the streams for trout

Also could check Meadow Park lake in Crossville

 

[Bprice]

Indian Boundary is beautiful! I recommend the Citico/Tellico area to anyone!

 

[Liveliner]

I was going to recommend Fall Creek Falls State Park. However, Not now. There may be some draw-backs to your plan. I thought there was no licence required if you paid for a park permit. Got to have a TN Fishing licence. That is just too wrong to pay for a State Park fishing permit and then still have to have a licence. I may fuss about that one.

They have about three designated camp sites with numbered spots. Way too organized for me. I prefer wilderness camping. I guess they must do that way due to the high numbers of motor-homes they get.

Fall Creek Falls near Pikeville, TN has a great lake. However they will rent to you a boat but you cannot bring your own canoe. Must use their’s.

You can check out their web site and look around. That is a great place to go but for this trip, it does not seem to work for you.

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls/index.shtml

 

[adamwstewart]

Yeah, I've been to fall creek falls (in February, as a matter of fact) nice place, but crowded even though the temp was in the 20's and it snowed. We were really hoping for something more wilderness-oriented, too, but that may be impractical with all the low water. We were thinking Conasauga but the lake is less than 20 acres, and that's awfully small for three days of fishing. I'll look at rocky mount, and the tellico, but we'll consider other good suggestions.

AWS

 

[craazyboutbass]

I've been to Tellico lake once, but not on the boat, and I saw some pretty decent bass swimming around and lots of sunfish too... Id like to fish it sometime soon.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Adam, I take it you are in GA as you don't want to buy TN licence.  Conasauga lake is in good shape, or was last year anyway. It was drained a few years ago but they have stocked it and it is coming on strong.  Since you are in GA have you looked at Lake Winfield Scott? It's up above Cooper's creek and Rock Creek . The easiset way to get there is go to Vogel and turn right and follow the signs up to the turn off. It has a few bass and panfish but is mostly trout. The area is covered in trout streams and theres nothing like camping and having a fresh fish fry.  The streams are all wadeable and the trout fishing is pretty good. </p>

 We used to do what you are talking about and split the guys up into three groups. Some would go to Cooper's Creek and some to Rock Creek. The third group would stay and fish the lake. At the end of the day at a set time we would meet back at camp and have a fish fry and fellowship together and hear all the fish tails and how the BIG ones always got away.

</p>

 

[Guest]

Duck River has plenty of flow for a multi-day canoe trip. There are a few low head dams but they can be easily portaged. Smallmouth, Spots, catfish, what else do you need.

 

[rsimms]

I don't think you really need to go that far. Outdoor Chattanooga promotes their Tennessee River "Blueway" Trail. See this web page: http://www.chattanooga.gov/PRAC/30_1002.htm

As long as you're not going on a Riverbend Weekend, the majority of big cruiser traffic is upstream of Chattanooga. Best paddling camping is downstream.

This page also has links to other "flat water organizations" that should have good info: http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/89.htm

Have fun...