Fishing

There are numerous places to fishing in Anderson County. The question is, what do you want to fish for? Regardless, you will need a license which you can purchase at the Wal-Mart located at Exit 122 off of Interstate 75 close to Norris Lake and the Clinch River or online at www.takemefishing.org.

Norris Lake

Norris Lake is known for its spotted, large mouth, and small mouth bass, crappie, and walleye. With 800 miles of shoreline, it is not hard to find the perfect cove to fish. There are 40 places to launch your boat including marinas, some of which offer boat rentals, campgrounds and free public boat launches.

Clinch River

WHAT TO FISH FOR | WHEN TO FISH | TROPHY EXPECTATIONS | GUIDES | WHERE TO STAY

The Clinch River is one of America’s premier trout streams. It is the tail waters that flows 13 miles Norris Dam, at River Mile 80, to the Highway 61 Bridge in Clinton, TN, at River Mile 67 and can be accessed at several locations. The river has numerous side channels, islands, shallow and wide riffles followed by deep runs, cut-banks, back-eddies…. a world or fantastic structure provide a unique habitat for trout and fun structure for the anglers to enjoy every cast! Its crystal clear waters will never stop surprising.

What to Fish For


Rainbow, brown trout, and a few brook trout is what it is all about! Good mayflies hatch from May-June on average and a steady midge hatch can be predictable during the summer and winter months. The majority of the fisheries diets for the Clinch River consist of midges, black flies, sow bugs, scuds, and small caddis pupa. Also big streamers and terrestrials are always an effective alternative to dry fly fishing! Whether wading or floating; anglers can pursue dry fly, wet fly, or streamer fishing with spectacular trophy fish. The Clinch River Tail-water is stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout from March through September.

When to Fish

Fishing on the Clinch is good year round but it is great in late winter, early spring and late fall, early winter. If you plan on wading, be sure to check the water release schedule at http://www.tva.gov/river/recreation/sched_norris.htm.

Trophy Expectations

Average fish run 7″ to 14″, while 18″ to 20″ trout are often taken. Rainbows comprise 80-90 percent of the catch. Almost all of the fish caught will be robust, wild, quality fish. Trout will average 11-12 inches in length. Fish in the 14 -16 inch range are common, and on most days one can reasonably expect to hook one or two fish in the 18-22 inch range. It is not uncommon for a skilled angler to land a half dozen fish over 18 inches during the sulfur emergence in spring. While rainbows comprise well over 80 per cent of the catch, browns do well in the river. The Tennessee state record brown, 28 pounds 12 ounces, was taken from the Clinch in the late 1980s. Browns over 30 pounds have been electroshocked and found dead by anglers. Spin fishermen float the river in boats during one- and two-generator flows in pursuit of these big trophy browns. Rainbows over ten pounds have been caught. The Clinch also contains assorted rough fish, and spin fishers take the occasional walleye and striped bass.

Guides

If you are fishing the Clinch for the first time, we recommend fishing with a guide. We recommend the guides listed below:

Where to Stay

There are two cabins that are located on the Clinch River offering direct access to the clinch which are listed below. For information on additional lodging options, click here.

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Anderson County Tourism Council - 115 Welcome Lane - Clinton, TN 37716 - 800-524-3602 - info@yallcome.org