Norris Lake Fishing Report & Tips
Get Your Tennessee Fishing License
In order to fish on Norris Lake, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) requires a Tennessee fishing license. Non-residents have the option of purchasing an annual fishing license, 10-day fishing license, or 3-day trout fishing license. You can get an annual fishing license beginning March 1st.
The 3 options for acquiring your license are listed below:
- Visit the TWRA website for online orders.
- Call the TWRA toll free number at 888-814-8972.
- Visit any of the Norris Lake Marinas for licensing & information.
Norris Lake Fishing Report published by the TWRA
View Fishing Report (most recent publishing)
Performance Tips From Local Expert Anglers
- LARGEMOUTH BASS - Crankbaits, top water lures, Flukes, Bass Assassins, spinners, and Carolina-rigged lizards all work during April, May, and early June.
- SMALLMOUTH BASS - Good lures for Norris smallmouth are Silver Buddies, 1/4 oz (or smaller) doll flies, doll flies tipped with minnows, float-and-fly rigs, and large shiners. On windy days in late winter, cast small crankbaits to wind-swept, rocky banks. Early spring smallmouth spawn on gravel points which reach out into the main channels. Spinners or pig’n jigs fished at night on steep, boulder-strewn banks catch good smallmouth year round.
- STRIPED & SPOTTED BASS - Small white spinners, plastic grubs on leadhead jigs, doll flies, and crawfish crankbaits are excellent. Best in April & May. Also try live bait in open water through the summer months.
- CATFISH - Spring through the summer months are usually peak times to catch.
- WALLEYE - During river runs, troll or jig with minnow-tipped doll flies, Sparkle Tails, AC Shiners, Rapalas, or Shad Raps. In late spring, night anglers cast crankbaits into flooded weeds. Trolling with Jet Lures tipped with night crawlers, spinner-and-night crawler rigs, or with deep running Long-Billed Rebels and Model 911 RedFins is popular by the end of May on the lower end. Night fishing with jigging spoons, alewife or shad accounts for good catches in the summer.
- CRAPPIE - Late April through May near fish attractors. Quality angling is best in the back of major embayments such as Big Sycamore Creek, Davis Creek and Big Creek. Upper river sections above Point 15 (Powell R.) and Point 31 (Clinch R.) are also good. Fish brush piles or downed trees in the winter, early spring or late fall months. Small minnows, plastic grubs, flies tipped with minnows, and small crankbaits work best.
- BLUEGILL - Spring through fall seasonal months.
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La Follette, TN 37766
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