Biggest lakes in Tennessee: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Watts Bar Lake

Watts Bar Lake is a reservoir of 39,000 acres. The lake is next to Kingston. It holds crappie, largemouth bass and spotted bass. The deepest water is around 108 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Watts Bar Lake is a TVA reservoir on the Tennessee River rated among the system's best lakes for crappie and bass.

Watts Bar Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Chickamauga Lake

Chickamauga Lake spreads over some 36,200 acres. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 72 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Chickamauga Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Norris Lake

Norris Lake spreads over some 34,500 acres. Striped bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and crappie are the draw. The deepest water is around 210 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Norris Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake spreads over 28,800 acres of water. You will find it near Jefferson City. It is the Holston behind Cherokee Dam. It holds largemouth bass, walleye and crappie. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Cherokee Lake is a TVA reservoir on the Holston River that is one of the most popular bass-fishing lakes in East Tennessee.

Cherokee Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake spreads over 28,400 acres. The lake is right by Dandridge. Like most lakes its size in Tennessee, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Douglas Lake is a TVA reservoir on the French Broad River known for large seasonal water-level swings used for flood control.

Douglas Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Dale Hollow Lake

At some 27,700 acres, Dale Hollow Lake is a big lake. It holds smallmouth bass, trout, walleye and crappie. At about 130 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Dale Hollow Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Old Hickory Lake

Old Hickory Lake covers 22,500 acres of water. It lies next to Hendersonville. Old Hickory Lock and Dam holds it on the Cumberland. The usual Tennessee mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. Old Hickory Lake is a Cumberland River reservoir near Nashville operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Old Hickory Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Center Hill Lake

Center Hill Lake spreads over 18,200 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Murfreesboro (about 32 miles). The usual Tennessee mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. It goes down to about 190 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Center Hill Lake is a deep U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Caney Fork River in Middle Tennessee.

Center Hill Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Tellico Lake

At some 14,200 acres, Tellico Lake is a big lake. It lies right by Louisville. It is the Little Tennessee behind Tellico Dam. The usual Tennessee mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Tellico Lake is a TVA reservoir on the Little Tennessee River, connected to Fort Loudoun Lake.

Tellico Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. J. Percy Priest Lake

J. Percy Priest Lake is a reservoir of some 14,200 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Nashville (about 9 miles). Like most lakes its size in Tennessee, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 100 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

J. Percy Priest Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.