Douglas Lake in East Tennessee is one of the most popular fishing spots in the entire United States. The lake is located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers a wide variety of freshwater fish species, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, walleye, and more.
The lake is home to a wide array of fish habitats that provide plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of game fish. There are shallow areas with plenty of vegetation and structure that attracts baitfish and larger game fish. There are also deeper areas with an abundance of structure such as humps, ledges, and points where game fish can be found. The lake also contains an abundance of aquatic insects which attract a variety of game fish species.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are one of the most sought after species in Douglas Lake. These hard fighting fish can be caught year round on topwater baits such as buzzbaits and poppers as well as deep-diving crankbaits and jigs around structure or deeper flats. Smallmouth bass can also be found relating to offshore structure such as humps, ledges, and points during certain times of the year.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are another popular species at Douglas Lake that can be caught throughout the year using many different techniques. During the spring spawning season they can be found shallow near shoreline cover such as docks, laydowns, brush piles, and other structure. In summer they can be found in deeper water around offshore humps, ledges, and points. During cold months they can be caught deep in creek arms or by slow rolling spinnerbaits or deep-diving crankbaits.
Crappie: Crappie fishing has become increasingly popular over the years at Douglas Lake due to its abundance of crappie habitat such as brush piles, stumps, logs, docks, laydowns and other structure where these panfish like to hide during certain times of the year.
Conclusion:
Douglas Lake in East Tennessee is an excellent fishing destination for anglers looking for a wide variety of freshwater species including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie bluegill catfish walleye and more. With its abundance of habitat ranging from shallow weed beds to deep offshore structure there is something for everyone at this lake which makes it one of the best places to go fishing in Tennessee.
