The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (steep ledge) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Watauga Lake
Carter County, Tennessee · 6,430 acres (10 sq mi)
57°F water, calm tomorrow morning.
About Watauga Lake
Watauga Lake spreads over 6,430 acres in Carter County, Tennessee. Watauga Dam holds it back on the Watauga. Watauga Lake is a deep TVA reservoir in the Appalachian mountains of upper East Tennessee noted for unusually clean, clear water.
It stretches about 10.6 miles end to end with roughly 55 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,950 ft above sea level. It reaches about 265 ft at its deepest, with an average depth near 52 ft. Hunter is about 4 miles northwest. Johnson City, the nearest city, is about 12 miles west.
- Size
- 6,430 acres (10 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 265 ft (average 52 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 55 miles
- End to end
- About 10.6 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,950 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Watauga Dam, Watauga
- County
- Carter County
- Water
- Known for clear water
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
- 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 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
Lakes like Watauga Lake in Tennessee usually hold 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.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- FairWhite bass
Schooled on deeper humps. A slow spoon works.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Steep ledge
A sharp wall beside deep water; fish hang along the edge at the depth they like.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 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
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
Sunrise 7:03 am · sunset 5:20 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Watauga Lake
- Hunterabout 4 mi northwest
- Elizabethtonabout 5.2 mi west
- Roan Mountainabout 7.4 mi south
- Centralabout 9 mi west
- Johnson Citynearest city, about 12 mi west
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Questions about Watauga Lake
What fish are in Watauga Lake?
Lakes like Watauga 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 Watauga Lake?
About 265 ft at the deepest point, about 52 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Watauga Lake?
6,430 acres, with about 55 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Watauga Lake?
Hunter is about 4 miles northwest; Elizabethton is about 5.2 miles west.
What is the water temperature at Watauga Lake today?
The surface was about 57°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Watauga Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
