Guide To Fishing At Center Hill Lake

AKA: Center Hill Reservoir

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, muskie and paddlefish at Center Hill Lake in Tennessee.

With over 400 miles of shoreline, picturesque Center Hill Lake is a vacation paradise in central Tennessee. This 18,000-acre lake offers virtually any water sport you enjoy, as well as fishing and other outdoor activities. There are fishing docks and fish-cleaning stations for public use, and multiple boat ramps located all around the lake. Campgrounds, some with RV hookups, are conveniently scattered around the lake. The lake is a maze of points, channels, ledges and islands which makes for excellent fish habitat. Fishing from shore, piers, docks, canoes, kayaks, and every imaginable type fishing boat can be productive here. Crappie, bass, and walleye fishing are excellent. The catfish, trout, sunfish and striped bass fishing all receive high honors as well. Additionally the lake has populations of paddlefish and muskie for those who like to catch giant fish.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Rental Boats
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

Center Hill Lake, located in central Tennessee, is a picturesque reservoir that offers fantastic fishing opportunities, as well as boating and camping experiences. This 18,220-acre lake, situated on the Caney Fork River, attracts anglers of all levels with its diverse fish populations and scenic beauty.

Center Hill Lake is known for its abundance of fish species, providing anglers with a variety of targets. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are highly sought-after species in the lake, attracting anglers with their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Crappie fishing is also popular, with both black and white crappie found in the lake's submerged brush piles and standing timber. Anglers can also target catfish, including channel catfish and blue catfish, as well as other species like walleye, sunfish, and sauger. The lake's diverse ecosystem ensures that anglers have ample opportunities to land their preferred catches.

Boating is a favorite activity on Center Hill Lake, with its crystal-clear waters and scenic shoreline providing a captivating setting for water enthusiasts. Anglers can launch their boats from the lake's public ramps and explore the vast expanse of the lake. Center Hill Lake offers plenty of space for leisurely boating, water skiing, tubing, and other water sports activities. Anglers can navigate the lake in search of prime fishing spots, taking advantage of its various coves, points, and submerged structures.

Camping facilities around Center Hill Lake offer an opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the area. Campgrounds provide a range of amenities, including campsites, picnic areas, restrooms, and even hiking trails. Whether pitching a tent or parking an RV, camping near Center Hill Lake allows anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to extend their fishing trips and enjoy the tranquility of the lake and its surrounding forests.

Center Hill Lake's combination of exceptional fishing, boating, and camping opportunities make it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee. Whether you're casting a line for bass or crappie, cruising the calm waters on a boat, or camping by the lakeside, Center Hill Lake offers a serene and memorable experience for all who visit.

Primary fish species residing in Center Hill Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Center Hill Lake Amenities

Marina: NINE
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramps: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Center Hill Marina & Yacht Club
Rentals: Pontoon boats
615 548-4315

Cookeville Boat Dock Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
931 858-4008

Edgar Evins Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
931 858-5695

Hidden Harbor Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, deck boats and pontoons
615 597-8800

Hurricane Marina
Rentals: Pontoons and runabouts
931 981-9800

Marinas

Center Hill Marina & Yacht Club
450 Cove Hollow Cir
Lancaster, TN 38569
615 548-4315

Cookeville Boat Dock Marina
13800 Cookeville Boatdock Rd
Baxter, TN 38544
931 858-4008

Edgar Evins Marina
2100 Edgar Evins State Park Rd
Silver Point, TN 38582
931 858-5695

Hidden Harbor Marina
2685 Casey Cove Rd
Smithville, TN 37166
615 597-8800

Hurricane Marina
1287 Floating Mill Rd
Silver Point, TN 38582
931 981-9800

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Boat Ramp Center Hill Lake
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Cookeville Boat Dock
This is two, one-lane, concrete ramps with docks and paved parking. It is located mid lake, on the north side, in the northeast corner of the lake.

Holiday Haven Boat Launch
Located mid lake, on the west side of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, gravel parking

River Watch Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, paved parking.

Silver Point Ramp
Located in Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area, on the north side of the lake, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.