Aerial view of a lake with forested shores and a marina of long, white boat docks along the left shore.
Chickamauga Lake

Chickamauga Lake

Description

This 36,240 acre reservoir on the Tennessee River boasts 810 miles of shoreline and has a reputation for excellent fishing for crappie, walleye, trophy catfish, and Florida largemouth bass. It is also home to the current Tennessee State Record largemouth bass at 15lbs 3oz.

Optimized Fish:
Quality Bass
Quality Bass
Crappie
Crappie
Walleye
Walleye
Enhancements

  • Trophy bass managed lake 

  • Home of the current TN State Record largemouth bass which is 15 pounds 3 ounces caught in 2015. 

  • Continued management of fish and habitat  

  • Stockings of crappie, walleye, Florida largemouth bass  

  • Annual habitat improvements projects.  

Activities:
Camping
Hiking
Fishing
Boating
Paddling
Biking
Birding
Golfing
Swimming
A yellow and gray pontoon boat with people on board cruising a calm lake; forested shorelines visible in the background.
A goose standing on a grassy bank near a body of water with reeds and plants in the background.
Small motorboat on a lake at sunset; sun near horizon, calm water, tree line in background.
Person in a small motorboat fishing on a calm lake, wearing a blue vest; rod extended, paddle and gear aboard.
Silhouette of a couple on a lakeside dock with a roofed pavilion, orange sunset reflecting on calm water, distant trees.
Location
  • Hamilton
  • Rhea
  • Meigs
  • McMinn
  • Bradley
Chickamauga Lake map segment showing a blue, winding waterway through Hamilton, Meigs, Bradley counties, labeled.
History

  • Created when the Chickamauga Dam (as part of the Tenn. Valley Authority), was completed in 1940  

  • Named after the Chickamauga Cherokee who used to live in the area. 

Rules & Regulations

For rules and regulations, please visit twra.org.

Hours of operation may vary