Blue Catfish Fishing in Tennessee
Check regulations
Check regulations
Year-round
Overview
The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers hold excellent blue catfish populations.
Below-dam tailwaters on TVA lakes concentrate blues for outstanding fishing.
Winter fishing below Wilson Dam and Pickwick Dam produces trophy blues.
Commercial-grade tackle is recommended for true trophy blue catfish.
Best Waters in Tennessee
- Pickwick Lake / Wilson Dam tailwater — Tennessee River dam tailrace with massive blue catfish concentrations, especially in winter.
- Kentucky Lake — Large TVA reservoir with quality blue catfish on channel ledges and current areas.
- Old Hickory Lake — Cumberland River reservoir with good blue catfish populations accessible from Nashville.
- Wheeler Lake — TVA reservoir with growing blue catfish populations around dam tailwaters.
Local Techniques & Baits
Techniques
- Below-dam fishing
- Anchored bottom fishing
- Drift fishing
- Santee rig
- Bump trolling
Baits & Lures
- Fresh-cut skipjack herring
- Fresh shad
- Live skipjack
- Live bluegill
- Chicken liver
Seasonal Guide for Tennessee
SpringSpring Fishing
Pre-spawn feeding March-April. Target flats and channel ledges with fresh skipjack.
SummerSummer Fishing
Blues relate to current areas and channel ledges. Below-dam areas are productive year-round.
FallFall Fishing
Fish follow shad schools. Cut bait near concentrations of threadfin shad is deadly.
WinterWinter Fishing
Trophy season. Blues stack in deep holes below dams. Fresh cut skipjack on heavy tackle.
Regulations
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current regulations with Tennessee Fish & Wildlife. Information shown was last updated 2025-01-01.
Specific regulations for blue catfish in Tennessee are not listed in our database. Please check the official Tennessee regulations for current rules.