Pickwick Lake Lodge Fishing Report - April 21, 2025

Bass - Bass are in all facets of the spawn . Some have finished and are guarding fry, some of still shallow spawning while still another big group are moving in and will spawn on the next full moon. With the water finally being at summer pool or very close, more of the bass move shallow and have learned to time their spawn with the rise of water more than the water temps. Shakey heads, Small jigs, Carolina rigs or your favorite soft plastic like a lizard are working great. ITs a great time to get shallow and get lots of bites. Last weekend it took over 24 pounds to win a local charity tournament with several more over 20 pounds.

Crappie - Excellent week. Many of the crappie are in all phases of the spawn. Some have finished and are moving back out to the first cover away from the bank. Another group is still on stumps and gravel points and areas spawning with a smaller group still offshore waiting to come in. The Jenko tickle fry has been the bait of the spring on a 1/16 or 1/8 Jenko Warhead depending on wind. Also the jig polers are starting to pick up much more as they move to the first cover offshore. Many of these people are using livescope to target the fish, but also some drifting is also catching them good. Target major creeks where most of the crappie spawn takes place. Pickwick Lake Guide Hunter Nanney caught several good limits last week even with Corks and live bait and Corks and Jigs for those that love watching their cork sink.

Catfish - On about every crappie trip, 4-5 good eating size catfish are caught which means they are moving shallow. Look for the first of May to have an excellent catfish spawn. Take a slip cork and some redworms and get on main river or creek bluffs and drift down them and fill the cooler and catfish love to spawn on the bluffs.

White Bass - Still running on the river strong. TN River guide Donald Hedge still had days over 200 last week and can put you on them. Small swimbaits like the Jenko Booty Shaker 3.25 or small grubs can do most of the damage as the White bass are in cuts, on points, or really any eddie along the river. Best area has been below the dam.

Brim - A few being caught while crappie fishing, but they are normally mid may to June when they really move in to spawn. The TN river is an excellent place to fill coolers when this happens and is an awesome family trip.