REGIONAL FISHING REPORT

CARTERS — Fishing has been extremely slow, according to Buddy Callahan at Bart’s Bait Shop.The lake is about a foot below full pool and the water temperature is about 45 degrees. Striper have been gorging them-selves on shad, which has made them harder to catch recently. What fish are being caught can be found up the river on trout. CENTER HILL — Fishing is slow, and the water temperature is about 45 degrees. The lake level is rising slowly. A few walleye are being caught below Webbs Camp on jigs in 20 feet of water. Bass fishing is very slow with a few fish being caught while casting jigs on channel banks. Crappie fishing is very slow with a few crappie being caught around brush on minnows. A few anglers are still catching a few spots while jigging spoons under shad in 25 feet of water.

CHICKAMAUGA — Water surface tempera-ture is 50 degrees, and the water level is 1.5 feet above normal winter level. Sauger anglers are catching fish while drifting in the main channel from Eave’s Bluff and points upstream using heavy jigs sometimes tipped with minnows. Bright colored jigs in orange, red or chartreuse are the most popular jigs. Some rockfish are being caught from the Highway 30 Bridge to Watts Bar Dam. Jigs or shad offered for bait are giving equal results. Bass are being caught in all areas of the lake. The more popular location for bass seems to be the shallow river flats adjacent to the primary water. Catfish are being caught while using live bait in the main channel. Crappie are being caught in the shallow and deep water areas in the sloughs and the river. Bluegill are being caught in the large creeks and the deeper river flats on worms and small jigs.

GUNTERSVILLE — Some big bass have been caught, according to Doug Campbell at Waterfront Grocery. The water temperature is about 47 degrees and the lake is at nor-mal winter level. Not a lot of fish are being caught, but those that have been are fairly large. Jerkbaits and spinnerbaits have been the best lures for largemouth bass. Crappie fishing is doing well near boathouses and bridges using baby shad.

HIWASSEE —Crappie fishing has been won-derful lately, according to Eugene Lankford at Hiwassee Marine Bait and Tackle.The lake level is about normal for this time of year. Crappie are being caught mostly in the mouths of creeks using grubs for bait. Bass fishing is kind of slow, but some are being caught in near dropoffs in the creek channels on crankbait. Some sauger are being caught on large jigs.

NICKAJACK — Fishing was pretty good this past weekend, according to Buford Griffith at R&R Tackle. Fishing for bass and striper has been equally successful. Striper are being caught on Blue Fox No. 3 lures and bass on various baits. Catfish are being caught with cutbait. Crappie fishing is fairly good using minnows in the lake and below the dam. The lake level has varied a lot lately, and the water temperature is in the low 50s.

WATTS BAR — Surface water temperature is near 50 degrees and the lake is at normal winter pool. Crappie are being caught in the larger secondary bays in the water above Highway 58. Minnows and jigs are being used with equal results. Bass are being caught along the river banks and on the primary points. Sauger are being caught while bumping jigs along the bottom in the portion of the lake above the I-75 Bridge. Jigs tipped with minnows will sometimes allow anglers a few additional fish. Catfish are being caught in the main channel while using all the normal stuff for bait. Rockfish are being caught more often in the upper portion of the reservoir along the river drops on an assortment of lures. Shad is almost always the most productive bait for rockfish. Bluegill are being caught near bridges and docks.

WEISS — Fishing has been pretty good, according to Carolyn Landrem at JR’s Marina. The rain and wind on Wednesday is likely to help the color of the lake. Crappie are being caught using minnows while trolling and bumping the bottom. Bass fishing has been slower lately, but some bass are being caught in secondary coves on crankbaits. Some catfish are being caught on cutbait on the deeper flats.