Every Boat Ramp on Cherokee Lake

About Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake is a 28,300-acre TVA reservoir on the Holston River in the rolling hills of upper East Tennessee, spanning four counties with 400 miles of shoreline and depths reaching 160 feet near the dam. This productive warm-water fishery sits in the agricultural heartland between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau, offering a diverse mix of bass, walleye, and panfish species in a setting of pastoral beauty. The cities of Morristown, Jefferson City, and Rogersville serve as convenient base camps for anglers exploring this expansive lake.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass provide excellent fishing throughout Cherokee Lake, with Largemouths holding in the numerous creek arms and shallow coves while Smallmouths patrol the main lake's rocky points and bluffs. Walleye and Sauger are highly prized by winter and early spring anglers who target these species in the deeper channel areas and tailwater below Cherokee Dam. Crappie fishing is outstanding during the spring spawn when fish push into shallow brush and stakebeds in the upper portions of the creek arms. Catfish and Striped Bass round out the fishery, with flathead and channel cats reaching impressive sizes in the deeper river channel.

Public boat ramps are available at numerous locations around Cherokee Lake, with popular access points at Point Park, Poor Valley, and several county and state-managed facilities. Full-service marinas provide fuel, tackle, and boat rentals. Whether you are casting topwater baits for Largemouth Bass in a misty morning creek arm, vertical jigging for Walleye over deep channel ledges, or setting jugs for Catfish on a summer night, Cherokee Lake offers reliable year-round fishing in the scenic hills of East Tennessee.

Nearest towns: Morristown, Jefferson City, Rogersville