TVA reservoir

Norris Lake

Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger & Union Counties, Tennessee

Norris Lake is a deep, clear lake on the Clinch and Powell rivers north of Knoxville. It was TVA's first reservoir and is known for striped bass, walleye, and smallmouth bass.

Air temp in Sharps Chapel, TN Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Norris Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area34,200 acres

Max depth210 ft

Shoreline800 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Striped Bass●●●●●

Use live shad or alewives on down lines in deep, cool water in summer.

Smallmouth Bass●●●●○

Best from November through April on rocky points and bluffs.

Walleye●●●●○

Heavy stocking supports good catches, especially at night in summer.

Crappie●●●○○

Fish TWRA brush piles and stake beds.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Boat launches

5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Loyston Point Recreation Area rampPublic
TVA recreation area near Andersonville, Anderson CountyDirections ↗
Anderson County Park rampPublic
County park ramp in Anderson CountyDirections ↗
Campbell County Park rampPublic
County park ramp in Campbell CountyDirections ↗
Cove Creek WMA rampPublic
Public ramp at Cove Creek Wildlife Management Area, Campbell CountyDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Striped Bass Apr 1-Oct 31; Nov 1-Mar 31: 1/day, 36 in minimum	15 in	2 / day
Smallmouth Bass Jun 1-Oct 15; Oct 16-May 31: 5/day, 15 in minimum; 5 black bass combined	18 in	1 / day
Walleye Walleye/sauger combined	15 in	5 / day combined
Crappie Combined	10 in	10 / day
Largemouth Bass Black bass 5 combined	14 in	5 / day combined

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Springs Dock ResortNearby
1652 Alder Springs Rd, LaFollette, TN(423) 562-2405 Directions ↗
Hickory Star MarinaNearby
1360 Hickory Star Rd, Maynardville, TN(865) 992-5241 Directions ↗
Sequoyah MarinaNearby
336 Lakeview Ln, Andersonville, TN(865) 494-7984 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Norris Lake ↗

Local tips

Smallmouth bass have a special summer size and bag rule, so check TWRA before keeping one.
The water level can swing more than 45 feet a year, so check levels before launching.
Use TWRA habitat maps to find brush piles and stake beds.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Tennessee lakes

Cherokee 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.