Best Fishing Times in Tennessee This Week
Near Celina, Tiptonville and Townsend: today on a 24 hour timeline and the next seven days rated Fair to Best.
Working out the moon and the sun for Celina, TN, and reading the forecast.
Fishing somewhere else? Enter any ZIP for your own spot
Photo: “Fall fishing on the Madison River at sunrise”, Jacob W. Frank, Yellowstone National Park (NPS), Public domain
Tennessee at a glance
Solunar windows plus the agency calendarWhen fish bite in Tennessee
Tennessee's fishing year starts with late winter walleye runs at Watauga, then largemouth bass March to May, Reelfoot bluegill on summer full moons, and crappie on fish attractors October through May.
Each entry below is from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or its published guides, quoted word for word and linked. Line the season up with the week above: a run in its prime and a Great day with a window at first light is the morning to take off.
- Late winter
Walleye
At Watauga Reservoir in late winter, walleye begin spawning runs up the Watauga and Elk Rivers as water temperatures approach 50 degrees.
“Late winter: As the water temperatures approach 50-degrees, walleye begin spawning runs up the Watauga and Elk Rivers.”
Watauga Reservoir in Tennessee Fishing and Boating Opportunities, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, read October 9, 2026 - March to May
Largemouth bass
At Watts Bar, anglers pursue largemouth bass heavily from March to May, when the fish move shallow to spawn.
“Largemouth bass are pursued heavily by anglers during the spring months (March-May) when they start to move shallow to spawn.”
Watts Bar Reservoir in Tennessee Fishing Opportunities, Maps and Locations., Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, read October 9, 2026 - May, June and July
Bluegill
Full moons in May, June and July are prime time for bluegill at Reelfoot Lake.
“Full moons in May, June, and July are prime time for Reelfoot bluegill.”
Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, Fishing Opportunities, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, read October 9, 2026 - October through May
Crappie
At Woods Reservoir, TWRA fish attractors are most productive for crappie from October through May, in 6 to 12 feet of water.
“TWRA fish attractors which include stake beds are very popular fishing spots and are most productive for crappie from October through May in 6-12 feet of water.”
Woods Reservoir in Tennessee, Fishing Opportunities, Maps and Locations., Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, read October 9, 2026
Reading the Tennessee timeline
Each day has two major solunar periods of about two hours, centered on the moon overhead and underfoot, and two minor periods of about an hour at moonrise and moonset. A window within an hour of sunrise or sunset is marked in gold. The rating adds the moon phase, the gold windows and a capped nudge from the National Weather Service forecast for each town. Every factor and its points.
Dawn and dusk are the reliable part; the moon windows are the old angler’s rule.
