Tennessee's Lake On The Edge Of Knoxville Is A Dazzling Haven For Premier Fishing, Boating, And Water Sports

For those looking for a lakeside getaway that is both beautiful and easy to get to, look no further than Fort Loudoun Lake. Flowing along the southern edge of Knoxville, Fort Loudoun Lake is the beginning of the dazzling Tennessee River. But this is no sleepy watering hole; it's is a 55-mile, 14,600-acre beast. The lake is actually a man-made reservoir, formed at the Fort Loudoun Dam. It gets its name from a British fort that was built in the mid-1700s.

Paddleboarders drift near the shorelines, canoes float out of marinas, locals cast fishing lines at dawn, and tourists crank up the music on pontoons in the afternoons. You can truly find it all on this lake. This is a place to play, fish, celebrate, birdwatch, and beat the Southern heat. It's so close to the city that you can wake up in Knoxville and be on the water before breakfast. Once on the lake, you can access many of Fort Loudoun's best offerings by boat, from restaurants to game day floating tailgates, fishing competitions, Prater's Flat party cove, and lakefront homes and resorts.

The best part of Loudoun is the premier fishing, the scenery, and the easy access to Knoxville, which has a growing food scene, live music, and a bustling downtown. There are plenty of public boat launches and marinas scattered along its 379 miles of shoreline. You'll find outfitters ready to get you on the water if needed, but consider packing your own fishing gear to save money. Fort Loudoun Lake is a locals' favorite that still flies under the radar for many out-of-towners.

Anglers will love the large number of fish species you'll find at Fort Loudoun Lake, including largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Although it might not be quite as iconic as Eufaula, known as the "Big Bass Capital of the World", Fort Loudoun Lake holds its own. This body of water has hosted the Bassmaster Classic, essentially the Super Bowl of fishing, multiple times. It's loaded with healthy populations of bass, crappie, catfish, and sauger. The state's largest catfish was caught here in 1976, weighing in at a whopping 130 pounds. 

Spring is prime time for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Late winter and early spring are the best times to fish for sauger at the confluence of the Holston River, French Broad River, and headwaters of Fort Loudoun. Other popular spots that anglers target are the tailwaters below Fort Loudoun Dam, where the flow keeps water oxygen levels high year-round. Others head toward the creeks and inlets that run into the lakes from the forested hills. You'll find public fishing piers, rental boats, and knowledgeable guides who can put you right where the action is. 

Not only is Fort Loudoun a fish haven, it is also a popular birding destination. Bald eagles, osprey, and other bird species can be seen flying and feeding at the lake. If you're more of a "lakeside lounge chair and cold drink" kind of visitor, the sunset views hit just as hard as the fish.