Fishing conditions for Watts Bar for August 9, 2018:

Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 741.40 feet. The water surface temperature is in the mid 80’s.

Largemouth Bass: Fish deep structure adjacent to the main lake or in the main lake. Plastic worms and crankbaits are the best baits to use. Some anglers are using large spoons.

Smallmouth Bass: Most fish are being caught along the rocky banks. Small profile plastic worms or crankbaits seem to be better than other lures. Low light conditions seem to increase the odds of catching fish.

Crappie: Easiest, most comfortable, and best way to catch crappie is fishing at night while using minnows under lights. Some crappies are being caught during the day around deep docks or around brush in deep secondary water.

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

Walleye: No observations.

Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Not a great number of fish are being caught. The Clinch may be better than the tailwaters below Ft. Loudon Dam because of the cooler water.

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.