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 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Watts Bar Lake
Roane County, Tennessee · 39,000 acres (60.9 sq mi)
59°F water, calm this morning.
About Watts Bar Lake
In Roane County, Tennessee, Watts Bar Lake covers 39,000 acres; it is a reservoir. It was made by Watts Bar Dam on the Tennessee. Watts Bar Lake is a TVA reservoir on the Tennessee River rated among the system's best lakes for crappie and bass.
It stretches about 23.3 miles end to end with roughly 242 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 740 ft above sea level. It reaches about 108 ft at its deepest. Kingston is right by the lake. The closest city is Knoxville, about 31 miles away.
- Size
- 39,000 acres (60.9 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 108 ft
- Shoreline
- About 242 miles
- End to end
- About 23.3 miles
- Elevation
- About 740 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Watts Bar Dam, Tennessee
- County
- Roane County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Sunday Good
- 5:30 am – 8:45 ammoon underfoot, sunrise · wind 0 mph
- 4:30 pm – 6:15 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 in Watts Bar Lake
The fish here: crappie, largemouth bass and spotted bass. With the surface at 59°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodSpotted bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 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.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:12 am · sunset 5:32 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Watts Bar Lake
- Kingstonon the shore
- Spring Cityon the shore
- Midtownabout 1.4 mi northeast
- Rockwoodabout 1.9 mi northwest
- Knoxvillenearest city, about 31 mi east
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Questions about Watts Bar Lake
What fish are in Watts Bar Lake?
Watts Bar Lake holds crappie, largemouth bass and spotted bass. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Watts Bar Lake?
About 108 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Watts Bar Lake?
39,000 acres, with about 242 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Watts Bar Lake?
Kingston is on the shore.
What is the water temperature at Watts Bar Lake today?
The surface was about 59°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Watts Bar Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.