Catfish Fishing in Knoxville

Yes. Anglers fishing in Knoxville need a valid Tennessee fishing license (with the right freshwater or saltwater privileges for where you fish). Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our Tennessee guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.

Bass fishing peaks in spring (March through May) around the spawn and stays good through fall, with smallmouth especially strong on the clearer lakes like Norris and Tellico. Striped bass fishing is best in late spring and summer, particularly on Cherokee and Melton Hill, where they chase shad. Crappie fishing lights up around the spring spawn and again in fall around brush and bridge structure. The tailwater trout fisheries (the Clinch and Holston below Norris and Cherokee dams) fish year-round and are best when generation is low — always check the TVA dam-release schedule before you wade.

Create a free MyFishingBuds profile, set Catfish as a target species, and pick Knoxville as your area. You'll be matched with nearby anglers who target the same species and fish a similar style, so you can plan a trip, share a boat, and split the costs.