An impoundment on the mainstream of the Tennessee River. The major tributary is the Hiwassee River which enters at river mile 500. Chickamauga was completed in 1940 by the Tennessee Valley Authority for flood control, hydroelectric power, navigation and recreation.

Water is very fertile and moderately clear. Dissolved oxygen concentrations are good, especially during years of high rainfall. Low oxygen concentrations can be found at the Watts Bar Dam tailwaters where the discharge from the turbines enters the river.

Size and Depth: 34,500 acres with a maximum depth of 72 feet at summer pool (682.5 feet msl). Overall length is 59 miles.

Shoreline: There is considerable development on the lower end of the lake near Chattanooga. The TVA maintains eight recreation areas around the lake.

Cover: Although diminished considerably from previous levels, aquatic vegetation still offers important cover for many species of fish. Spinyleaf naiad is the primary weed type. Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla are also present. The deep weedline develops at about 12 feet. |Aquatic herbicides have produced dramatic reductions in weed growth since the late 1980's when about 8,500 acres of the lake were vegetated. There are now about 1,000 acres of weedbeds, but the TWRA and TVA plan to restore weed growth to about 7,000 total acres. |Future weed control methods will emphasize mechanical harvesting and focus on areas such as boat ramps, navigation channels, and public use areas. |Buttonbush and bald cypress are planted along shoreline areas.

Bottom: Primarily mud and clay.

Featured Species: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Sauger, White Crappie, Bluegill, White Bass.

Other Species: Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Yellow Bass, Sunfish, Redear Sunfish(Shellcracker).

Largemouth bass remain the lake's most popular gamefish, even though angler interest in Chickamauga has decreased in recent years due to declining weed growth. Despite the loss of weed growth, catch rates for bass anglers remain comparable to previous years, and the percentage of fish over 15 inches has remained quite good. |The widespread practice of catch-and-release among Chickamauga bass anglers was evident during a recent TWRA creel survey. Of the estimated 157,895 largemouth caught by anglers during the year-long survey, 120,794(77%) were released. Sizes ranged from 8- to 24-inches, and 37% of the harvested fish exceeded 15 inches. |White crappie numbers tend to be extremely cyclic and are currently on an upswing. Angler survey results revealed that most fish measure between 9- and 13-inches with peak numbers in the 10- and 11-inch classes. |Despite recent slight decreases, black crappie abundance has been increasing since the early 1970's, when milfoil first appeared in the lake. Should weed growth rebound as planned on Chickamauga, black crappie are expected to thrive. |The channel catfish harvest has shown steady and significant increases during the last 20 years. This part of the fishery is expected to continue producing good catches. |Sauger catch rates and harvest levels have been fairly consistent since the 1970's. A 15-inch minimum size limit was instituted in 1992 to provide a steady harvest and better quality fish for the future. Initial findings are encouraging as harvest rates only dropped slightly after the size limit was implemented.

Crappie: Late-winter crappie tend to suspend in water between 8 and 10 feet deep close to sunken brush or fish attractors. And by mid-March, warming water temperatures stimulate crappie to move into shallow brushy cover within sloughs and hollows in preparation for spawning. Depths of 2 to 6 feet are productive, and small jigs and grubs are the favored offering. |Crappie switch to their warm water patterns in May, and are typically caught in deeper water ranging from 7 to 30 feet deep. Summer fish are found on deep-water drop-offs and near creek mouths, but catches during this period can be sporadic. |Once the water begins to cool in early fall, crappie move into shallower water to chase schools of minnows and are caught from brush piles and fish attractors. This pattern lasts throughout the winter.

Bluegill and Shellcracker: Bluegill and shellcracker provide good action for anglers during spring and summer. May is considered the best month for bluegill, as spawning fish are easy to find in shallow water off sandy points and old roadbeds. After spawning, bluegill move into depths of 5 to 6 feet for the duration of the warmer months. Stumpy areas, steep banks, and regions of submergent brush attract fish. Crickets, small jigs, poppers, redworms, and nightcrawlers all produce nice catches. Good action usually lasts until October.

White Bass: March and April are prime for white bass, especially in the tailwaters of the Watts Bar Dam. Preferred lures include jigs, silver spoons and small vibrating crankbaits. In addition to white bass, sauger are found in this region as well. White bass are also caught off main lake points during late March. |Jump fishing is popular for white bass during summer and fall. These fish are very aggressive and readily strike a variety of artificials, but be sure not to spook the school on your approach. When water temperatures drop in autumn, white bass relate to deeper water and become harder to find.