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.
The J. Percy Priest Fishing
Information Line provides weekday updates of fishing information, lake
elevations, and fishing conditions at (615) 883-2351.
A valid Tennessee state
fishing license is required to fish on J. Percy Priest Lake, and anglers
are encouraged to obtain a current copy of Tennessee Fishing regulations
for information pertaining to license requirements. The most common fish
which anglers are after include:
|
Species |
Creel Limit |
Size Limit |
Baits & Lures |
Best Fishing |
|
Largemouth Bass |
5* |
15" |
crankbaits, plastic
worms |
Spring - Summer |
|
Smallmouth Bass |
5* |
15" |
minnows, jigs,
crankbaits |
Spring, Fall |
|
Kentucky Bass |
5* |
-- |
minnows, crankbaits,
plastics |
Spring, Fall |
|
Striped Bass
(Rockfish) |
2 |
15" |
shiners, topwater
lures |
Spring - Fall |
|
Cherokee Bass (Hybrid) |
2 |
15" |
shiners, jigs,
topwater lures |
Summer - Fall |
|
White Bass |
30 |
-- |
minnows, spinners,
topwater lures |
Summer |
|
Crappie |
30 |
10" |
minnows, jigs,
crankbaits |
Spring, Fall |
|
Catfish |
-- |
-- |
chicken livers,
night crawlers |
Summer - Fall |
|
Bream, Bluegill |
-- |
-- |
crickets, worms,
spinners, flies |
Summer |
|
Trout (Stones River
only) |
7 |
-- |
corn, spinners,
salmon eggs, flies |
Winter |
*Bass daily limit in any
combination of largemouth, smallmouth, and/or Kentucky
Practice good angler ethics
at J. Percy Priest, and learn how to protect and conserve our natural
resources. J. Percy Priest experiences extremely heavy fishing
pressure, so it is very important to practice catch-and-release and
selective harvesting concepts. It is important for every angler to know
project-specific creel and size limits for each species of fish.
Jug fishing, limb lines and
trotlines are legal. Gill nets are not permitted. No commercial fishing
is allowed on J. Percy Priest Lake. Jugs, limb lines and trot lines
must be tagged and marked with the owner’s name and address within 5’
feet of the bank or on the floats. They must be checked at least once
per day.
Enhanced bank fishing areas
are developed at Stewart Creek, Vivrette Creek, J. Percy Priest
Overlook, and Cook Recreation Areas to provide excellent bank fishing
opportunities for anglers who do not have a boat. Accessible fishing
opportunities are also provided at these locations for our physically
challenged visitors who wish to enjoy this sport.
The Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency provides 20 developed fish attractor locations on J.
Percy Priest Lake, and fish attractor materials are regularly
replenished to provide concentrated fishing opportunities for anglers.
A map is available at the J. Percy Priest Resource Manager’s Office
showing the location of established fish attractors.
