Cherokee Lake
A TVA reservoir on the Holston River in East Tennessee, near Morristown. It is a fertile lake known for striped bass, strong largemouth and smallmouth numbers, and a spring paddlefish snagging season.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Striped Bass
Lower lake from Macedonia Hollow to the dam in summer; live shad or shiners. Many move up to the John Sevier Steam Plant in late fall and early spring.
Largemouth Bass
Very abundant. Peak in March and April as fish move shallow; Carolina-rigged lizards, crankbaits, spinnerbaits.
Smallmouth Bass
Clay and gravel points in spring. Carolina rigs and jerkbaits.
Crappie
Coves with brush piles and downed trees in early spring and late fall. Small minnows and grubs.
Walleye
Stocked. January through May near the John Sevier Steam Plant.
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Panther Creek State Park Boat RampPublicState park ramp near Morristown (Hamblen County)Directions ↗
- Cherokee Dam North RampPublicTWRA ramp at the north end of Cherokee DamDirections ↗
- Cherokee Dam South RampPublicRamp at the south end of Cherokee DamDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Combined with smallmouth | 15 in | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Seasonal rule | 18 in (Jun 1-Oct 15); 15 in (Oct 16-May 31) | 1 / day (Jun 1-Oct 15); 5 / day combined otherwise |
| Spotted Bass | See Tennessee rules book ↗ | 15 / day |
| Crappie All crappie combined | 10 in | 15 / day |
| Striped & Hybrid Striped Bass Combined | 15 in | 2 / day |
| White Bass | See Tennessee rules book ↗ | 15 / day |
| Walleye / Sauger / Saugeye Combined | 15 in | 10 / day |
| Catfish Only 1 over 34 in per day | See Tennessee rules book ↗ | No limit 34 in and under |
| Paddlefish Season April 1-15 only; no culling | See Tennessee rules book ↗ | 1 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Cherokee Lake ↗Local tips
- Winter drawdowns of up to 40 feet are common, which opens a lot of bank-fishing access.
- Boat fishing is closed in a marked zone near Cherokee Dam from July 1 through Sept. 15; bank fishing stays open.
- Stripers stay small here because of hot, low-oxygen summer water; fish deep near the dam in summer.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Tennessee lakes
Norris Lake Douglas Lake Dale Hollow Lake Old Hickory Lake Center Hill Lake Tellico Lake Fort Loudoun Lake J. Percy Priest Lake All Tennessee lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.