Reservoir · Tennessee
Center Hill Lake
Center Hill Lake
Reservoir · Tennessee
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide a live condition rating for this destination. Destination and fishery information is still available.
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Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Center Hill Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Center Hill Reservoir is an 18,220-acre USACE Caney Fork reservoir. TWRA documents largemouth and smallmouth bass with seasonal lure tactics, black-crappie stocking, walleye, bluegill, and muskellunge harvest rules. Caney Fork tailwater stations are not pool temperature.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA provides seasonal largemouth tactics and electrofishing context.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA describes a strong smallmouth fishery with seasonal tactics.
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA states black crappie predominate and are stocked, including blacknose crappie.
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA lists bluegill among Center Hill gamefish.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA lists walleye harvest rules and includes walleye among gamefish.
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA publishes a muskellunge creel and 50-inch minimum for the reservoir.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Rocky USACE reservoir with steep ridges, points, and creek arms. TWRA notes historic drawdown for dam work; that is habitat context, not thermal PATH A.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
USACE Nashville District manages recreation. TWRA points to the statewide access map and describes creek/point fishing from boats.
Stocking information
TWRA describes an annual black and blacknose crappie stocking program begun because of low natural reproduction.
- Stocked
Black Crappie
Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Official sources
Center Hill has TWRA lake-specific harvest rules, including an 18-inch smallmouth minimum and a 50-inch muskellunge minimum. Paddlefish taking is closed. A winter/spring single-hook restriction applies on a Caney Fork reach above the lake. Verify current TWRA text. USGS 03424860 is tailwater, not the pool.
Public catalog object under TN-KY-LAKE-RECOVERY-1. conditionPublicationPolicy=static-value-structural-unavailable. Unavailable means insufficient thermal information, not Poor.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Tennessee
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Counties
DeKalb, Putnam, Warren, White
Management Category
Public reservoir fishery
Regulation Scope
Center Hill Lake
Regulation Summary
TWRA Center Hill Reservoir special regulations; paddlefish closed; tributary single-hook seasonal restriction on a named Caney Fork reach.
Surface Area
18220 acres
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, Bluegill, Muskellunge
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available
Description
USACE Center Hill Reservoir. Catalog-visible Unavailable: no qualifying same-lake live USGS 00010. Not Caney Fork tailwater 03424860. Coordinates: USGS GNIS Center Hill Lake reservoir feature, DeKalb County, Sligo Bridge quad. Unavailable means insufficient thermal information, not Poor.
