Guide To Fishing At Old Hickory Lake

AKA: Old Hickory Reservoir

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, paddlefish and sauger at Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee.

Situated in the northeast outskirts of Nashville, Old Hickory Lake is a 23,000-acre reservoir in the north-central part of the state. Over 440 miles of shoreline provides ample opportunity for anglers to drop a line. Much of the lake is surrounded by residential homes. However, there are parks and other areas allowing places for fishing from the bank. Fishing boats, kayaks and canoes allow anglers to cover more water and improve the odds of locating schools of fish.

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

Old Hickory Lake, located in central Tennessee, offers anglers a diverse fishing experience, abundant boating opportunities, and scenic camping options. This 22,500-acre reservoir, formed by the Cumberland River, provides excellent fishing for a variety of popular fish species.

Old Hickory Lake is known for its fantastic bass fishing. Largemouth bass are abundant in the lake and attract anglers of all skill levels. The lake's structure, including submerged brush, boat docks, and rocky shorelines, provides ideal habitats for these prized game fish. Anglers can employ various techniques such as flipping, pitching, and topwater fishing to entice the bass. The lake's healthy bass population and the opportunity to catch trophy-sized fish make it a favorite destination for anglers.

In addition to bass, Old Hickory Lake supports other popular fish species. Crappie fishing is productive, with both black and white crappie offering anglers plenty of action. Anglers can find success near submerged brush piles, fallen trees, and bridge pilings, where crappie often congregate. The lake is also home to catfish, including channel catfish and blue catfish, which can be targeted using various baits and techniques. Other species found in the lake include sauger, walleye, and sunfish, providing anglers with additional fishing opportunities.

Boating is a favored activity on Old Hickory Lake, thanks to its extensive water surface and numerous marinas. Anglers and boating enthusiasts can launch their boats from public ramps and explore the lake's many bays, channels, and open waters. Boaters can enjoy leisurely cruises, engage in water sports activities, or simply relax while taking in the picturesque views of the lake's shoreline and surrounding wooded areas.

Camping facilities near Old Hickory Lake offer visitors the opportunity to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. Campgrounds provide amenities such as campsites, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Camping near Old Hickory Lake allows anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to make the most of their fishing adventures and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the lake and its surrounding woodlands.

Old Hickory Lake's combination of excellent fishing, boating opportunities, and camping facilities make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee. Whether you're targeting bass, crappie, or catfish, enjoying a leisurely boat ride, or camping by the lakeside, Old Hickory Lake offers a serene and enjoyable environment for all who visit.

The lake has a wide array of fish species swimming in its waters. Bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, striped bass, sunfish and other species reside here, and for the most part are here in bragging size and quantity. As a general rule, fish shallow in spring and fall. During summer and winter the fish may be more inclined to hang around deeper creek channels, submerged humps, points and ledges.

Primary fish species residing in Old Hickory Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Old Hickory Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Blue Turtle Bay Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
615 847-4022

Cedar Creek Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats and deck boats
615 758-5174

Gallatin Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
615 452-9876

Marinas

Anchor High Marina
128 River Rd
Hendersonville, TN 37075
615 826-2628

Blue Turtle Bay Marina
2001 Riverside Dr
Old Hickory, TN 37138
615 847-4022

Cedar Creek Marina
9120 Saundersville Rd
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
615 758-5174

Creekwood Marina
259 Sanders Ferry Rd
Hendersonville, TN 37075
615 824-7963

Drakes Creek Marina
441 Sanders Ferry Rd
Hendersonville, TN 37075
615 822-0547

Gallatin Marina
727 Marina Pvt Dr
Gallatin, TN 37066
615 452-9876

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Avondale Access Area
This is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking. It is located in the northwest sector, on the north side of the lake.

Davis Corner Boat Ramp
Located in the south-central sector of the lake, off Highway 109 and Burton Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Mallard Point Park Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest sector of the lake, north side, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

North Cairo Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Old Hickory Gallatin Boat Ramp
This is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. It is located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, east side of the bay, off Marina Pvt Drive.

Rockland Boat Ramp
Located at the western end of the lake, off Rockland Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Stark Knob Boat Ramp
This is a one-lane, concrete ramp with very limited paved parking. It is located located in the southwest sector of the lake, on the north side.

Station Camp Creek Access
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. It is southeast of the intersection of Douglas Bend Drive and Nashville Pike.

Tyree Access Boat Ramp
This is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. It is located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, east side of the bay.

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.