Fishing conditions at Watts Bar as of November 15, 2018:

Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet. Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 739.00 feet. The water surface temperature is upper 50’s to lower 60’s depending on the ambient temperature.

Largemouth Bass: Some quality bass are being caught around shallow grass beds in areas where grass can be located. A few anglers are catching bass around blowdowns on moderately sloping banks. Swim jigs, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits are being used more than other lures. Some heavy fish are being caught. The smaller buzzbaits are better than the larger baits probably because the shad the bass are chasing are the smaller threadfin or gizzard shad.

Smallmouth Bass: River banks or sloping secondary banks leading into the large bay areas are places anglers are targeting smallmouth while using crankbaits, swim jigs, or topwater lures.

Walleye/Sauger: Some fish are being caught by anglers trolling crankbaits in the tailwater. Early in the day or late in the evening seems to be the better time to fish.

Crappie: Use minnows or jigs around brush, blowdowns, or docks in 8 to 15 feet of water. Some nice stringers are being caught.

Catfish: Drifters in the main channel using meaty baits are catching plenty of fish.

Striped bass: Most stripers are being caught in the mid lake area in the shallow water near shad. Use swimbaits or topwater lures for bait.