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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Old Hickory Lake

Sumner County, Tennessee · 22,500 acres (35.2 sq mi)

Caution

57°F water, calm this morning.

Water57°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today5 mphN
Best bite3:00 pmto 5:15 pm

About Old Hickory Lake

Old Hickory Lake spreads over 22,500 acres in Sumner County, Tennessee. Old Hickory Lock and Dam holds it back on the Cumberland. Old Hickory Lake is a Cumberland River reservoir near Nashville operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

It stretches about 19.5 miles end to end with roughly 165 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 440 ft above sea level. Hendersonville is right by the lake.

Size
22,500 acres (35.2 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 165 miles
End to end
About 19.5 miles
Elevation
About 440 ft
Type
Reservoir
Dam
Old Hickory Lock and Dam, Cumberland
County
Sumner County

The lake from above

1 5 miles N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Saturday Good

  • 5:45 am – 8:00 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph

Sunday Good

  • 5:45 am – 8:00 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
  • 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Expect the usual Tennessee mix for a lake this size: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, catfish and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 57°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.

  • Fair
    Largemouth bass

    Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

  • Good
    Crappie

    Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.

  • Fair
    White bass

    Schooled on deeper humps. A slow spoon works.

  • Fair
    Catfish

    Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.

  • Fair
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Point drop-off

    The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7

6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

57°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

No clear view of the ice yet

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Saturday 52° / 28° 5 mph N Sunny
Sunday 55° / 27° 5 mph NNE Sunny

Sunrise 6:21 am · sunset 4:38 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Old Hickory Lake

  • Hendersonvilleon the shore
  • Lakewoodon the shore
  • Green Hillabout 1.6 mi south
  • Gallatinabout 2.4 mi northeast

Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Questions about Old Hickory Lake

What fish are in Old Hickory Lake?

Lakes like Old Hickory Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, catfish and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Old Hickory Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Old Hickory Lake?

22,500 acres, with about 165 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Old Hickory Lake?

Hendersonville is on the shore.

What is the water temperature at Old Hickory Lake today?

The surface was about 57°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Old Hickory Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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Lakes near Old Hickory Lake

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