Nickajack Lake

Boat Ramps: 9
Access Points: 12
Species: 19

Nickajack Lake is a mainstem impoundment of the Tennessee River that was created in 1967. Located in southeastern Tennessee and bordered by the city of Chattanooga, this 10,370-acre reservoir boasts 192 miles of shoreline at full summer pool. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) operates Nickajack Dam, which is situated in New Hope, Tennessee. The lake's character is divided between its upper two-thirds, which is primarily riverine with extensive rip rap shorelines, and its lower section, which features more coves and slack water. This diverse habitat makes Nickajack Lake an excellent multi-species fishery, offering year-round fishing opportunities for anglers seeking everything from trophy bass to table-fare panfish.

Tennessee licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Nickajack Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bass

Morone mississippiensis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Nickajack 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 Nickajack 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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Take Nickajack 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 Nickajack Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Nickajack 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.