Fishing conditions at Watts Bar for September 20, 2018:

Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 739.75 feet. The water surface temperature is in the lower 80’s.

Largemouth Bass: Locate grass beds with baitfish. These grass beds can be close to open water or in the sloughs. Topwater baits and plastic worms are the best baits.

Smallmouth Bass: Night fishing is better. Rocky banks in the large water are probably better.

Crappie: Use minnows or jigs. Look for low light areas close to deep water. Blowdowns and docks are lowlight areas. Search for darkness during the light. Search for light during the darkness.

Catfish: Use anything meaty. A lot of fish are being caught. Current increases the odds of good catches. Bigger baits catch bigger fish.

Walleye: Some mid lake anglers are catching a walleye every now and then while bass fishing ledges with crankbaits.

Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Fish the tailwaters.

White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the mid lake especially late in the day. Use spoons, roostertails, or topwater lures. Mid lake humps and ledges have fish that can be caught deep while using heavy spinner type lures.

Bluegill/Shellcracker: Fish river bluff walls with crickets or worms.