HEREBristol
Bristol
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TWRA regulations, and community fishing coverage for Sullivan lakes and rivers.
Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 5 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌑
New Moon
Illumination: 98%
64°F
72°F
0 mph
1017
as of 8:55 AM ET
Excellent — new moon triggers peak feeding activity. Fish are most aggressive near dawn and dusk.
Sullivan • East Tennessee / Tri-Cities TN
Your Local Fishing Resource
HEREBristol is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and TWRA regulations across Sullivan. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Bristol Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
ACTIVE
Summer pattern — fish deep structure early and late. Frog fishing on lily pads productive at dawn.
Top BaitFinesse Jig, Drop Shot
Depth15-25 ft midday
Smallmouth Bass
ACTIVE
Smallmouth active on shoals. Work crawfish patterns on rocky bottom.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
HOT
Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
ACTIVE
Bream feeding actively. Work dock edges and shallow vegetation with small jigs or live bait.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
SLOW
No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check <?php echo here_dnr(); ?> for next stocking dates.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Sullivan waters. Always verify TWRA regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
64F
Fog/mist
Feels like 64°F
as of 8:55 AM ET
Wind
0 mph N
Humidity
100%
Pressure
1017 hPa
Est. Water Temp
72°F
Moon
New Moon
Sunrise / Sunset
10:43 am / 12:23 am
Location
Bristol, TN
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
- New and full moons are the best fishing phases. Solunar peak periods fall near sunrise and sunset — be on the water at first light.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
64°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
0 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1017 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌑
Prime
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
79° / 69°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
THU
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
86° / 70°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
FRI
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
88° / 71°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SAT
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
89° / 71°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SUN
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
90° / 72°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
5 fishing waters within Sullivan — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
South Holston Lake
reservoir
Trout
Smallmouth Bass
Walleye
Angler Tip
Boone Lake
reservoir
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Bluegill
Angler Tip
Watauga Lake
reservoir
Rainbow Trout
Lake Trout
Smallmouth Bass
Angler Tip
South Fork Holston River
river
Trout
Smallmouth Bass
Angler Tip
Beaver Creek
creek
Trout
Bluegill
Sunfish
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Bristol-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Bristol. Expert captains who know Sullivan waters.
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
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List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
I Fished Here
Beaver Creek
Waded a stretch of Beaver Creek near Bristol with the kids and they caught bream and small bass steadily on crickets under bobbers for a couple hours. Easy access, shallow and safe water, and a great low-key spot for introducing young anglers to fishing.
Species: Bluegill & Largemouth Bass
Lure/Bait: Crickets under slip bobber
Best Spot: Shallow riffles near the Beaver Creek greenway
South Holston River tailwater
Went back to the South Holston tailwater for an evening midge hatch and worked a zebra midge under an indicator through the deeper runs. Landed six trout in two hours, mostly rainbows in the 12 to 14 inch range plus one solid brown. This water fishes well any time of day if you match the hatch.
Species: Rainbow Trout
Lure/Bait: Size 18 zebra midge under indicator
Best Spot: Deep runs near Osceola Island
Wilbur Lake
Fished Wilbur Lake below Watauga Dam and picked up a handful of rainbows and one brown on small spinners worked along the rocky shoreline. Small lake but the scenery in the gorge below the dam is stunning, and it stays cool even midsummer.
Species: Rainbow & Brown Trout
Lure/Bait: 1/16 oz Panther Martin spinner
Best Spot: Rocky shoreline near the Wilbur Dam overlook
Boone Lake
Fished a main channel ledge on Boone Lake early and had a good largemouth bite using a Texas-rigged creature bait, five keepers before the bite slowed around 9am. Boone's recovering water levels have brought the fishery back strong in the last few seasons.
Species: Largemouth Bass
Lure/Bait: Texas-rigged creature bait, black/blue
Best Spot: Channel ledge near the Highway 421 bridge
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Bristol anglers.
Trolled live shad along the deep channel edge near Piney Flats before the sun hit the water. The rod bent hard and stayed that way through a long, stubborn fight in that clear reservoir water. South Holston Lake's striper fishery keeps growing every season. Got him boatside, snapped a photo, and let him go.
Striped Bass 13 lb, 31 inches
Waded a gravel shoal on Beaver Creek not far from the Speedway with a small crawfish-colored crank bounced along bottom. She hit it hard against a submerged rock and came up thrashing in the shallow riffle. Beaver Creek's smallmouth fishery right in the Bristol city limits stays criminally underused.
Smallmouth Bass 3 lb 4 oz, 17 inches
Waded the short run below Watauga Dam into Wilbur Lake with a small Panther Martin cast tight to the bank. The take came fast in the swirling current near the powerhouse discharge. Wilbur's short stretch of water punches way above its size for trout fishing. Released her back near the rocks.
Rainbow Trout 16-inch rainbow
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Trailered off South Holston Lake near Piney Flats and drove across to 620 State on the Virginia side of the line. Local draft, upscale pub feel, striper stories rolling into the evening. The Bristol twin-state bar scene never disappoints after a good day on the lake.
620 State — Local draft
Off Beaver Creek near the Speedway and into downtown Bristol for Blackbird Bakery. Cold brew coffee, fresh pastries, small-town bakery charm. A smallmouth morning close to the Speedway deserves a laid-back finish like this.
Blackbird Bakery — Cold brew coffee
Waded out of Wilbur Lake below the dam and drove to State Line Bar & Grill, straddling the Tennessee-Virginia border on State Street. Sweet tea, a burger, and the novelty of standing in two states at once. Wilbur Lake mornings deserve a stop with this much character.
State Line Bar & Grill — Sweet tea
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Bristol and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities
Coming Soon
Local
Bristol Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities fishing coverage from the HEREBristol newsroom.
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
Coming Soon
National
National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Bristol perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Bristol and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities TN
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Bristol angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for East Tennessee / Tri-Cities TN waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for East Tennessee / Tri-Cities TN Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingTennessee DNR
TWRA Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Sullivan waters. Always verify current regulations at www.tn.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Bristol Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Bristol Waters
- Municipal Lakes: Boating permits may be required from Bristol Water. Gas motor HP restrictions may apply — check current municipal-water rules before launching.
- Select-Lake Rules: Some lakes enforce larger minimum sizes for black bass or combined daily limits. Verify closures with TWRA before fishing.
- Electric-Only Lakes: Some state-park and municipal lakes prohibit gasoline engines and enforce reduced creel limits. Verify with TWRA.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers: Statewide creel limits typically apply. Boating permits generally not required. TWRA fishing license required for anglers 16+.
Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at www.tn.gov or by calling the TWRA Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Bristol Water) may be set separately from TWRA.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Bridge and dock pilings are prime staging areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Docks and brush piles are top targets.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near boat ramps and fishing piers.
May (TWRA)
Spring Trout Stocking
TWRA stocks select Bristol area waters. Check stocking schedule at https://www.tn.gov/twra.
May 25, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Memorial Weekend
No TN fishing license required. All public waters. Great day to introduce new anglers.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on major lakes and rivers.
July 4, 2026
Free Fishing Day — Independence Day
No TN fishing license required. All public waters. July 4 Family Fishing Day.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Bristol lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Main-lake points hold fish.
Nov (TWRA)
Fall Trout Stocking
TWRA fall trout stocking program. Check https://www.tn.gov/twra for Sullivan schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HEREBristol for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Sullivan water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. TWRA trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit www.tn.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Bristol area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a TN fishing license to fish public waters in Sullivan. TN residents get a resident license; non-residents pay a higher fee. Licenses are available at www.tn.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
Sullivan has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult TWRA for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream. Municipal lakes may require a boating permit from Bristol Water — check locally before launching.
-
The best crappie fishing in Sullivan is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Bristol lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult TWRA for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Bristol typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult TWRA for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
TWRA stocks select Sullivan waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the TWRA website at https://www.tn.gov/twra — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current TWRA schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Bristol.
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