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Watauga Lake

Lake fishing  Tennessee · 07:10 - 19:36

Watauga Lake is a lake in Tennessee. The main target species are Bluegill, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

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Good 62% The bite right now
Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
80%
87°
Thu
80%
86°
Fri
79%
87°
Sat
77%
85°
Sun
79%
83°
Mon
81%
82°
Best day

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Mainly clear
Water temp (est.)
76°F
Air temp
84°F
Wind
6 mph
Pressure
30.24 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
27.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:25–08:25 Day 08:25–18:21 Dusk 18:21–20:21

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit
Major period 15:38–17:38 Major period 03:38–05:38 Minor period 10:55–12:25 Minor period 20:51–22:21

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

15:00
84°
16:00
84°
17:00
84°
18:00
82°
19:00
79°
20:00
73°
21:00
70°
22:00
68°
23:00
67°
00:00
66°
01:00
66°
02:00
65°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
62%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees.
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White Bass
Morone chrysops
59%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
52%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
49%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
33%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
23%
Water outside its comfort range, peak season.
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About the fishing here

Anglers here regularly land Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.
Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.
Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Watauga Lake, located east of Elizabethton, Tennessee, is the local name of the Watauga Reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with the 1948 completion of the TVA Watauga Dam.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Boone Lake Tennessee · 19.5 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 27.2 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 28.0 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 28.8 mi away Lake James North Carolina · 40.2 mi away Bald Mountain Lake North Carolina · 60.0 mi away Cranks Creek Lake Kentucky · 72.3 mi away Lake Norman North Carolina · 78.2 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Watauga Lake?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Black Crappie.

Do you need a fishing license at Watauga Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Watauga Lake?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Watauga Lake right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 29%.