Tellico Lake
Fly fishing in Tennessee · Beginner · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass
About This Water
Clear TVA reservoir with excellent bass fishing. Connected to Fort Loudoun Lake.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the "Jewel of the TVA." As your guide, I can tell you that Tellico Lake is a unique beast compared to other Tennessee reservoirs. While many Southern impoundments are murky and shallow, Tellico is deep, cool, and remarkably clear. This clarity makes it a premier destination for fly anglers, but it also means you have to bring your "A-game" regarding stealth and presentation.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Tellico Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Tellico Lake is a 15,500-acre reservoir located in Loudon and Monroe counties, created by the Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River. What makes it special is the canal connection to Fort Loudoun Lake. This allows for a constant exchange of water and nutrients, as well as fish migration between the two bodies of water.
The water is characterized by high visibility—often 10 feet or more—and a mix of rocky bluffs, submerged timber, and deep river channels. Because it is fed by the cold tailwaters of the Smoky Mountains (via the Tellico and Little Tennessee Rivers), it stays cooler than other lakes, supporting a world-class Smallmouth fishery.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Smallmouth Bass (The Main Attraction)
Tellico is famous for "brown fish." They behave more like river smallmouth here, holding on rocky points, gravel bars, and submerged islands (humps).
- Behavior: They are highly nomadic and light-sensitive. In the clear water, they will often suspend deep during the day.
- Diet: Primarily Threadfin Shad and Crawfish.
Largemouth Bass
Found primarily in the shallower backwater sloughs and the upper reaches of the Tellico River arm.
- Behavior: They stick closer to wood cover, laydowns, and the limited aquatic vegetation available.
- Diet: Bluegill, larger Gizzard Shad, and frogs.
Striped Bass
These are the "ghosts" of the lake. They move frequently between Tellico and Fort Loudoun.
- Behavior: They love current. You’ll find them in the canal or patrolling the main river channel ledges. They are "wolf pack" hunters that corner shad against the surface or steep bluffs.
- Diet: Massive amounts of Shad and Skipjack Herring.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (March – May): Prime Time. As water temps hit 55°F, Smallmouth move to the gravel shelves to spawn. This is your best chance at a trophy on a fly rod. April is peak for topwater and shallow streamer action.
- Summer (June – August): Low-light is mandatory. Focus on "The Witching Hour" (30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset). During the day, fish move to 20-30 feet of water, making fly fishing difficult unless you use heavy sinking lines.
- Fall (September – November): The "Second Spring." As temperatures drop, shad migrate into the creeks, and the bass follow. Look for "surface boils" where stripers and bass are pushing bait to the top.
- Best Conditions: Overcast days are your best friend on Tellico. The clouds cut the light penetration, emboldening the fish to move shallower and strike more aggressively.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Patterns
- For Smallmouth/Stripers:
- Clouser Minnow (Chartreuse/White or Blue/White) – Size 2 to 2/0.
- Gamechanger (White or Shad patterns) – Essential for Stripers.
- Murdich Minnow – Excellent for the clear water as it has great shimmer.
- For Largemouth:
- BoogleBug Poppers (Bass Orange or Solar Flare).
- Dahlberg Diver – Great for fishing near wood cover.
- Sub-Surface:
- Near Nuff Craw (Olive or Rusty Brown) – Fish this on a long leader over gravel points.
Techniques
- The "Count Down": Since Tellico is deep, you need a Type 3 or Type 6 sinking line. Cast toward the bluffs, count to 15 or 20, and strip the fly back up the water column.
- Topwater Chugging: In the fall, use an 8-weight rod with a floating line and a loud popper. Target "The Canal" when the TVA is pushing water; the current triggers a feeding frenzy.
- The Stealth Approach: Because of the clarity, use longer leaders (9ft–12ft) for Smallmouth. Fluorocarbon is a must.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Canal Factor: The canal connecting Tellico to Fort Loudoun is a high-traffic area for fish. When the TVA is generating power at the dam, the current through the canal acts like a dinner bell for Stripers.
- The "Mud Line": After a heavy rain, the upper Tellico River arm will get muddy while the main lake stays clear. Fish the "seam" where the muddy water meets the clear water; predators hide in the murk to ambush bait in the clear.
- Fish the "Humps": Use your electronics to find submerged islands that rise from 40 feet up to 15 feet. Smallmouth will congregate on top of these during the early morning.
- Wind is Good: A slight "chop" on the water breaks up the surface and makes the fish less spooky in the clear water.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access:
- TVA Boat Ramps: There are excellent ramps at Tellico Canal, Lotterdale Cove, and Vonore.
- Kayaks: The Citico Creek area is great for kayak anglers looking for a quieter experience.
- Regulations:
- A Tennessee Fishing License is required.
- Smallmouth Limit: There is typically a 1-fish creel limit for Smallmouth Bass with an 18-inch minimum length (check current TN Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) proclamations for seasonal changes).
- Safety: Tellico is a deep lake and can get rough quickly if the wind kicks up from the South. Also, be mindful of large cruiser traffic in the summer, as the wakes can be significant for small boats or kayaks.
Guide’s Final Word: Tellico is a "quality over quantity" lake. You might work harder for your strikes than on other lakes, but the Smallmouth you catch here are often the biggest and hardest-fighting fish in the state. Keep your fly moving, stay stealthy, and watch the birds for signs of bait!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hexagenia Hexagenia limbata | mayfly | June, July | Dusk and Night | #6-10 | Hexagenia Dry #6-8, Hexagenia Nymph #8-10, Michigan Wiggler #8 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, December | Morning/Late Afternoon | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Palomino Midge #20-24 |
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | March, April, October, November | Midday/Afternoon | #16-20 | Parachute Adams #16-20, RS2 #18-20, Pheasant Tail #16-18 |
| Damselfly Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July, August | Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damselfly Nymph #10-12, Adult Damselfly #12-14 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche | caddis | May, June, July | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Cinnamon) #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Light Cahill Stenonema | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #12-14 | Light Cahill Dry #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14 |
| Terrestrial Ants and Beetles Formicidae/Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #12-18 | Chernobyl Ant #8-12, Black Foam Beetle #14-16, Fur Ant #16-18 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | terrestrial | June, July, August | All Day | #4-8 | Dragonfly Nymph (Olive/Brown) #4-8, Deer Hair Dragonfly #6-10 |