Crappie: Fishing is picking up. The lake level is falling and crappie seem to be adjusting to fall. Anglers are catching them around structure and TWRA fish attractors. Some anglers are finding crappie from the bank. Look for trees laying in the water and fish around branches or roots. Crappie will also school around drop-offs. Fish minnows or small plastic tubes on light jig heads (1/16th ounce or even lighter). Try various colors. Small crankbaits also work well for crappie.

Bass: Fishing is good. Anglers are doing real well in the upper part of Priest as thousands of shad are schooling above Fate Sanders Marina and into the various creeks and coves n the upper end of the lake. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater baits, and plastic baits are working well. Fish cover. Fish all day if possible, but don't miss the early or late evening bites. Lots of fish are small, but the activity is good.

White Bass: Big white bass are being caught in the upper end of Priest. You can fish in and around Stewarts Creek. (Don't forget the TWRA cove in Stewarts Creek parking area. There is a pier there). Fishing is good around Spring and Fall Creek and above the Weakly Road Bridge. Look for surfacing fish, but don't hesitate to troll crankbaits to find where the white bass are schooling when not on the surface. It's a good way to locate these fish. Also, take spoons for white bass for the time when they are not surfacing. Work baits from the bottom to the surface.

Fishing opportunities abound at J. Percy Priest Lake, with a wide variety of species available from the Stones River tailwaters to the East and West Forks of the Stones River.  J. Percy Priest Lake provides over 14,000 acres of water for a wide variety of fishing opportunities around the project.  The most popular species include largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass, and white bass.  Other species such as catfish, bluegill, bream, and trout provide excellent opportunities for young anglers.(more)

J. Percy Priest - Dam Site, Visitor Center and Overlook
Take I-40 East from Nashville and take Exit 219 - Stewarts Ferry Pike. Take a right on Stewarts Ferry Pike and travel approximately 1/2 mile to Bell Road. Turn left on Bell Road and facilities are approximately 1/2 mile ahead.

• Bass
• Catfish
• Bream
• Crappie