Fishing South Holston Lake

AKA: South Holston Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
South Holston Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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South Holston Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species South Holston Lake, TN

South Holston Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at South Holston Lake, as they grow bigger here than in many other lakes in the area. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop shots, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

South Holston Lake Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to good fisheries management by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of South Holston Lake this year. Walleye here spawn between February and April. After this walleye run, May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them as they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

South Holston Lake Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

South Holston Lake has long been a good crappie fishing lake. The lake has good populations of both black crappie and white crappie. These two species generally school with their own, but once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water.

South Holston Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth and white bass at South Holston Lake in Tennessee.

Located in the northeast corner of Tennessee, South Holston Lake is a scenic boating and fishing lake with magnificent views of the Appalachian Mountains which run parallel to the lake. This 10,000 surface-acre reservoir is home to quality bass fishing. Annually, South Holston Reservoir makes the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes in the USA. This clear-water lake is less fertile than others in the area, so the numbers of bass is fewer, but the quality of both largemouth and smallmouth more than makes up for it.

Crappie, walleye, trout, catfish, bluegill and other sunfish also reside in the lake. The cool, clear water makes for an ideal trout and walleye fishery. There are plenty of places to fish from shore all around the lake. Because part of the lake is in Virginia, check VA and TN regulations before fishing. Also be aware of significant draw downs of water in winter, often lowering the water level 30 feet or more.

Primary fish species residing in South Holston Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

South Holston Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Laurel Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats and runabouts
423 878-3721

Marinas

Friendship Resort & Marina
Tennessee 37620
423 878-3128

Lake View Dock
992 Lakeview Dock Rd
Bristol, TN 37620
423 878-4331

Laurel Marina
191 Shady Ford Rd
Bristol, TN 37620
423 878-3721

Painter Creek Marina
766 Painter Creek Rd
Bristol, TN 37620
423 878-5775

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

421 Bridge Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, at the east end of the South Holston Lake Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and plenty of paved parking.

Little Oak Campground Boat Ramp
Located in the campground, in the southeast corner of the lake, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Public Boat Ramp
Located in Sullivan County Observation Knob Park, mid lake, on the west side, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and lots of paved parking.

Whitaker Hollow Park Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.