03-21-2006, 12:14 AM
Fishing Information by Phone: (615) 883-2351
Spring Fishing
Spring fishing on J. Percy Priest Lake can offer some great opputunities for all anglers. The spring is also a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors. As the water begins to warm up fishing should start improving on the lake. Also, remember to check the weather conditions before planning a trip to the lake this spring.
[red]Crappie[black]:[/black] [black]One of the best times to fish for crappie on Percy Priest Lake is during the months of April and May. Crappie should be actively hitting small minnows and small jigs (chartreuse and white 1- inch best). In the early spring most crappie are in the upper part of the lake consisting of Spring Creek, East Fork, and West Fork. As the water reaches into the high 50's the crappie should move in from the river channels. Look for submerged timber, tree stumps, and other cover in 10-20 feet of water that harbor schools of crappie. [/black][/red]
Smallmouth Bass[black]: Smallmouth should be caught with grubs, crankbaits and jigs on mud flats and areas where there is chunk rock, gravel, and other irregular terrain in the lower end of the lake. As the water warms up to mid 50[/black]'s the bass should become more active feeding on baitfish in Suggs and Hamilton Creek.
Large Mouth Bass[black]: These fish should be caught by flipping jig-n-pig combos in 4 to 10 feet of water in the East Fork and the West Fork. Spinner baits and suspended crankbaits should be effective on pre- and post- spawn bass. Look for areas with stumps, fallen trees, and other natural cover providing habitat and ambush points on small prey. Fish available structure and cover in the backs of creeks where water temperature warms faster.[/black]
[red]Hybrids and Stripers[/red][black]: [/black]These fish can be caught with small shiners and jigs early in the spring. As the water warms they will feed on life shad. Striped bass make runs up creeks and rivers during early spring and are usually caught in the shallow areas. Hybrids should be taken on cut bait and liver at the lower end of the lake.
[red]Bluegill[/red]: Bank fishing is a good method for catching large numbers of bluegill in the spring. These fish can be caught on small spinners, crickets, mealworms, nightcrawlers and red wigglers around shallow cover and structure.
Catfish[black]: Catfish should be caught on cut bait, liver, night[/black]crawlers, and scented baits along sharp drops and around tributary creeks after spring rains.
Tailwater fishing conditions for crappie, hybrid, white bass, and others should be good during hours of generation
The headwater elevation is 485.25 feet above mean sea level, and the tailwater elevation is 393.65 feet above msl. For up to the hour elevations, visit the [url "http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=JPH&DataType=All&SUBMIT=View+data"][#000000]TVA Websi[/#000000][/url][url "http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=JPH&DataType=All&SUBMIT=View+data"][#000000]te[/#000000][/url].
Normal winter pool is 483.00 feet above mean sea level. Normal summer pool is 490.00 feet above mean sea level.
Surface water temperature is 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and 52.6 degrees at 10 feet.
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Spring Fishing
Spring fishing on J. Percy Priest Lake can offer some great opputunities for all anglers. The spring is also a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors. As the water begins to warm up fishing should start improving on the lake. Also, remember to check the weather conditions before planning a trip to the lake this spring.
[red]Crappie[black]:[/black] [black]One of the best times to fish for crappie on Percy Priest Lake is during the months of April and May. Crappie should be actively hitting small minnows and small jigs (chartreuse and white 1- inch best). In the early spring most crappie are in the upper part of the lake consisting of Spring Creek, East Fork, and West Fork. As the water reaches into the high 50's the crappie should move in from the river channels. Look for submerged timber, tree stumps, and other cover in 10-20 feet of water that harbor schools of crappie. [/black][/red]
Smallmouth Bass[black]: Smallmouth should be caught with grubs, crankbaits and jigs on mud flats and areas where there is chunk rock, gravel, and other irregular terrain in the lower end of the lake. As the water warms up to mid 50[/black]'s the bass should become more active feeding on baitfish in Suggs and Hamilton Creek.
Large Mouth Bass[black]: These fish should be caught by flipping jig-n-pig combos in 4 to 10 feet of water in the East Fork and the West Fork. Spinner baits and suspended crankbaits should be effective on pre- and post- spawn bass. Look for areas with stumps, fallen trees, and other natural cover providing habitat and ambush points on small prey. Fish available structure and cover in the backs of creeks where water temperature warms faster.[/black]
[red]Hybrids and Stripers[/red][black]: [/black]These fish can be caught with small shiners and jigs early in the spring. As the water warms they will feed on life shad. Striped bass make runs up creeks and rivers during early spring and are usually caught in the shallow areas. Hybrids should be taken on cut bait and liver at the lower end of the lake.
[red]Bluegill[/red]: Bank fishing is a good method for catching large numbers of bluegill in the spring. These fish can be caught on small spinners, crickets, mealworms, nightcrawlers and red wigglers around shallow cover and structure.
Catfish[black]: Catfish should be caught on cut bait, liver, night[/black]crawlers, and scented baits along sharp drops and around tributary creeks after spring rains.
Tailwater fishing conditions for crappie, hybrid, white bass, and others should be good during hours of generation
The headwater elevation is 485.25 feet above mean sea level, and the tailwater elevation is 393.65 feet above msl. For up to the hour elevations, visit the [url "http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=JPH&DataType=All&SUBMIT=View+data"][#000000]TVA Websi[/#000000][/url][url "http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=JPH&DataType=All&SUBMIT=View+data"][#000000]te[/#000000][/url].
Normal winter pool is 483.00 feet above mean sea level. Normal summer pool is 490.00 feet above mean sea level.
Surface water temperature is 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and 52.6 degrees at 10 feet.
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