HERENashville
Nashville
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TWRA regulations, and community fishing coverage for Davidson County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 5 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 71%
91°F
99°F
5 mph
1020
as of 7:05 PM ET
Very Good — decreasing moon builds toward new moon peak. Dawn and dusk feeding surges expected.
Davidson County • Middle Tennessee TN
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERENashville is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and TWRA regulations across Davidson County. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Nashville Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
ACTIVE
Summer pattern — fish deep structure early and late. Frog fishing on lily pads productive at dawn.
Top BaitFinesse Jig, Drop Shot
Depth15-25 ft midday
Smallmouth Bass
ACTIVE
Smallmouth active on shoals. Work crawfish patterns on rocky bottom.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
HOT
Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
ACTIVE
Bream feeding actively. Work dock edges and shallow vegetation with small jigs or live bait.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
SLOW
No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check <?php echo here_dnr(); ?> for next stocking dates.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Davidson County waters. Always verify TWRA regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
91F
Mostly Clear
Feels like 96°F
as of 7:05 PM ET
Wind
5 mph SSW
Humidity
46%
Pressure
1020 hPa
Est. Water Temp
99°F
Moon
Waning Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
10:57 am / 12:47 am
Location
Nashville, TN
On-the-Water Tips
- Hot air temps push fish deep. Fish 12-20 ft ledges and structure in the heat of the day. Early morning and evening are your windows.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
91°F
Warm — Fish Deep
Wind Speed
5 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1020 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌘
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
95° / 74°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SAT
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
94° / 74°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SUN
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
95° / 74°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
MON
Sunny
96° / 75°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
TUE
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
95° / 75°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
5 fishing waters within Davidson County — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
J. Percy Priest Lake
reservoir
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Crappie
Catfish
Angler Tip
Old Hickory Lake
reservoir
Largemouth Bass
Striped Bass
Crappie
Angler Tip
Cumberland River
river
Catfish
Sauger
Bass
Angler Tip
Radnor Lake
lake
Bluegill
Bass
Angler Tip
Center Hill Lake
reservoir
Smallmouth Bass
Walleye
Trout
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Nashville-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Nashville. Expert captains who know Davidson County waters.
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Davidson County and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
I Fished Here
Harpeth River
Kayaked a stretch of the Harpeth near Kingston Springs and caught a mess of redeye bass and bluegill on small inline spinners through the riffles. Slow current and clear water made it an easy paddle with the kids in tow. Underrated small river for a relaxed half-day trip.
Species: Redeye Bass & Bluegill
Lure/Bait: 1/16 oz inline spinner
Best Spot: Riffles near Kingston Springs access
Center Hill Lake
Ran deep structure on Center Hill in July heat and found a school of spotted bass holding on a bluff wall in 25 feet. Drop-shot worm worked steadily for two hours, plus one nice largemouth that ambushed a crankbait near a laydown. Water here stays clear even in summer, which makes the visual bite worthwhile.
Species: Spotted Bass
Lure/Bait: Drop-shot worm, green pumpkin
Best Spot: Bluff wall near Edgar Evins State Park
Duck River
Floated a shoal stretch of the Duck River below the Highway 431 bridge for smallmouth and had steady action on topwater poppers all morning. Duck River holds some of the best smallmouth genetics in the state and the water clarity made for great sight-fishing. Six fish landed, best around 16 inches.
Species: Smallmouth Bass
Lure/Bait: Popper, size 6, chartreuse/white
Best Spot: Shoal stretch below the Highway 431 bridge
Cumberland River (below Old Hickory Dam)
Waded the tailwater below Old Hickory Dam and threw a jerkbait through current seams for a couple hours, landing three smallmouth and one hybrid striper. Current changes fast with generation so watch the water levels closely. Great access right off the dam parking area.
Species: Smallmouth Bass & Hybrid Striper
Lure/Bait: Suspending jerkbait, chrome/black
Best Spot: Tailwater current seams below the dam
Share Your Trip
Fished a Nashville-area lake or river? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer.
Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Nashville anglers.
Anchored on a brush pile off Defeated Creek in twelve feet of water with minnows under a slip cork. The slabs stacked up thick and bit steady for almost three hours. Nineteen keepers with a chunky pound-and-three-quarters topping the cooler. Cordell Hull crappie fishing stays one of Middle Tennessee's best-kept secrets.
Crappie 19 fish, biggest 1.8 lb
Waded a gravel shoal on the upper Duck River near Chapel Hill in Marshall County with a chartreuse tube jig bounced along the bottom. She hit it hard in a foot of current right off a ledge. The Duck's smallmouth fishery is one of the most biodiverse rivers in the country, and this fish proved why anglers make the drive.
Smallmouth Bass 4 lb 6 oz, 19 inches
Worked a hair jig along the bluff walls below Center Hill Dam in gin-clear water. The strike came subtle, just extra weight on the line, but she came up fighting hard against the current. Center Hill's clear-water smallmouth are a different breed than anything in the Cumberland basin. Released her back to the depths.
Smallmouth Bass 5 lb 2 oz, 21 inches
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Off Cordell Hull and back into the Gulch for Yazoo Brewing. Sly Rye Porter on the patio, crappie cooler still cold in the truck bed. Nashville's original craft brewery is still one of the best stops after a Middle Tennessee fishing day.
Yazoo Brewing Company — Sly Rye Porter
Waded out of the Duck River shoals and drove up to Bearded Iris in Nashville's Wedgewood-Houston district. Homestyle IPA, industrial taproom, smallmouth stories from the gravel bars. The Duck River deserves a beer this good waiting at the end.
Bearded Iris Brewing — Homestyle IPA
Off Center Hill Lake and drove into Nashville for Southern Grist in East Nashville. Hazy pale ale on the patio, neighborhood feel, the bluff-wall smallmouth bite still fresh in mind. One of the best small breweries in the city, hands down.
Southern Grist Brewing Company — Hazy pale ale
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Nashville and Middle Tennessee
Coming Soon
Local
Nashville Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and Middle Tennessee fishing coverage from the HERENashville newsroom.
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
Coming Soon
National
National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Nashville perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Nashville and Middle Tennessee TN
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Nashville angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Middle Tennessee TN waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Middle Tennessee TN Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingTennessee DNR
TWRA Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Davidson County waters. Always verify current regulations at www.tn.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Nashville Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Nashville Waters
- Municipal Lakes: Boating permits may be required from Nashville Water. Gas motor HP restrictions may apply — check current municipal-water rules before launching.
- Select-Lake Rules: Some lakes enforce larger minimum sizes for black bass or combined daily limits. Verify closures with TWRA before fishing.
- Electric-Only Lakes: Some state-park and municipal lakes prohibit gasoline engines and enforce reduced creel limits. Verify with TWRA.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers: Statewide creel limits typically apply. Boating permits generally not required. TWRA fishing license required for anglers 16+.
Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at www.tn.gov or by calling the TWRA Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Nashville Water) may be set separately from TWRA.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Bridge and dock pilings are prime staging areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Docks and brush piles are top targets.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near boat ramps and fishing piers.
May (TWRA)
Spring Trout Stocking
TWRA stocks select Nashville area waters. Check stocking schedule at https://www.tn.gov/twra.
May 25, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Memorial Weekend
No TN fishing license required. All public waters. Great day to introduce new anglers.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on major lakes and rivers.
July 4, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Independence Day
No TN fishing license required. All public waters. July 4 Family Fishing Day.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Nashville lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Main-lake points hold fish.
Nov (TWRA)
Fall Trout Stocking
TWRA fall trout stocking program. Check https://www.tn.gov/twra for Davidson County schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HERENashville for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Davidson County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. TWRA trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit www.tn.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Nashville area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a TN fishing license to fish public waters in Davidson County. TN residents get a resident license; non-residents pay a higher fee. Licenses are available at www.tn.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Davidson County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult TWRA for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream. Municipal lakes may require a boating permit from Nashville Water — check locally before launching.
-
The best crappie fishing in Davidson County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Nashville lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult TWRA for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
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Rivers near Nashville typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult TWRA for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
TWRA stocks select Davidson County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the TWRA website at https://www.tn.gov/twra — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current TWRA schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Nashville.
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