04/29/2013-05/04/2013

The bass fishing has really turned on the last couple of weeks. The big girls are up shallow crusing and looking for the right place to fan out their bed. Our best baits have been spinnerbaits, crankbaits, creature baits and shakey heads. Also look for the topwater bite to improve on buzzbaits, poppers and spooks

With the fluctuating water levels and muddy water the crappie bite has slowed from what it has been. The crappie have pulled tight to the cover and you almost have to hit them on the head to get them to bite.  Our best baits have been roadrunners and jigs tipped with Strike King thunder tubes and jokers in white, white/chartreuse, and chartreuse. 

There have been numerous questions and concerns raised since the May 2010 flood on what affect it played on the fishery here at Old Hickory Lake. However, after a brief phone conversation with TWRA's Region II Fishery Program Manager Todd St. John, the immediate future for the state of the Old Hickory Lake fishery is looking bright. No matter what game fish you seek out, there are several reasons to be optimistic about the coming years.

Both crappie and largemouth bass had strong spawn classes relative to the coming year's harvestable rate. What does this mean? Well, largemouth bass take about four years to become a harvestable fish. Therefore, as we approach future years, we should see an abundant harvestable rate after successful 2007 and 2008 spawns. And with crappie having a faster growth rate combined with the good recent spawns, crappie fishermen have plenty to look forward to as well.

Located near Metropolitan Nashville, Tenn., the lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, and water skiing. The numerous species of wildlife here, including abundant populations of waterfowl and wading birds, make nature study and photography additional exciting pastimes. >>> discover more