Boone Lake
Boone Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 8
- Access Points
- 24
- Species
- 18
Boone Lake is a 4,520-acre TVA reservoir nestled in the picturesque landscape of northeastern Tennessee. Completed in 1952, the dam is located on the South Fork of the Holston River, with major tributaries including the Watauga and South Fork Holston rivers originating from North Carolina and Virginia. Despite its relatively modest size, Boone Lake is exceptionally fertile, supporting impressive populations of sport fish. With approximately 122 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 70 feet, this reservoir offers diverse fishing environments from shallow coves to deep channels. The reservoir extends about 16 miles up the South Fork Holston River and approximately 15 miles up the Watauga River, creating two distinct river arms that provide varied fishing opportunities year-round.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Boone Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Boone Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Boone Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Tennessee licenses and regulations
Tennessee Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Tennessee Fishing License
No Fishing License Needed If: You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident). A type 022 supplemental license is required for anglers targeting trout. State-wide creel limit 7 trout.
Tennessee Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Tennessee Stream Access Laws
On any river or stream that’s capable of floating a craft, the public has rights to passage, hunting and fishing. The question of streambed use on designated non-navigable rivers, however, is less clear, and probably not legal.
Take Boone Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Boone Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Boone Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
Get the onWater Fish app
Free on iOS and Android
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Boone Lake and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
Boone Lake fishing guides
Book a trip with a local fishing guide through Guidesly.

Fishing near Boone Lake
Explore Tennessee waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Explore near Boone Lake
Fish species
Fishing spots
Nearby waters
More in Tennessee
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.



































