Chickamauga Lake dropped from No. 7 to No. 41 in Bassmaster Magazine's latest ranking of the top 100 bass lakes in the United States, but local wildlife officials say the reservoir remains a healthy and active fishery.Two people are dead after a boating accident on Chickamauga Lake Friday evening.
The victims were part of a larger family group that was boating on the lake near Shale Creek. The group anchored to swim, but when one of the younger members needed help, Donna Berger, 53, jumped in to help.
Berger struggled in the water leading Randy Freeney, 74, to jump in, but he too struggled.
Residents on Lee Pike saw the incident from the shore, called 911 and entered the water with life vests to try and help. Both Berger and Freeney were brought to shore.
Alcohol was not involved in the accident, but neither victim was wearing a flotation device.
The Soddy Daisy Fire Department, Hamilton County Fire Department and Tennessee Wildlife Resources agency responded to the scene on Lee Pike at 7:25 p.m., according to a press release from the TWRA.