Largemouth Bass

Fontana Lake is a deep, clear reservoir nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, making for a unique largemouth bass fishing experience. This isn't your typical shallow, weedy bass lake. Largemouth here tend to relate to structure like submerged timber, rock bluffs, and steep drop-offs. Spring and fall are peak seasons. During the spring prespawn and spawn, focus on the backs of creeks and coves as water temperatures rise. In the fall, look for bass chasing baitfish in the main lake and around points. A productive technique is working crankbaits and Carolina-rigged plastics along submerged ledges. Be aware that Fontana's water levels can fluctuate significantly depending on TVA's power generation needs, so check the lake levels before you go. The Santeetlah Boat Ramp offers good access to the western end of the lake. Fontana's largemouth population isn't exceptionally high in numbers, but the fish you do catch can be quality, often exceeding 5 pounds.