feet coastermeister is 100% correct. We were told the same thing a couple of months ago. We drove around the lake and it was very low and I was in shock There are plenty of catfish that live in Douglas Lake, but only one, 34-inch or longer can be harvested per day at the lake. They said it was full in the Summer months. Douglas is a flood storage reservoir. There are some exemptions, but most of them will not be applicable to anyone who does not own lakeside farmland or live on lakefront property. Still, it is not safe to go into the water near electricity. Click here to find cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains near Douglas Lake TN. The reservoir itself is 43.1 miles long, with a maximum depth of 140 feet, and collects water from a 4,541 square mile watershed. To youwannaknow, we rented a house on Douglas Lake several years ago during the fall (I can't remember if it was Sept. or Oct.). The lake level was Make the most of your Baneberry holiday by staying in this family-friendly dwelling on Lake Douglas. Click here to find cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains near Douglas Lake TN. Sitting just over 40 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee, White Pine is easily accessible from several major cities in the Southeast. Technically a reservoir, its chiefly called Douglas Lake by locals. You can also fire up the gas grill on the deck for an afternoon barbecue. Another popular camping option is the Griffin Island Campground, a privately owned 14-acre island which offers camper rentals for those looking to get away. Fish bit better when they're pulling water and making a current. I would look for something in the mountains; the fall colors may be very pretty in mid-October. The homeowner or rental agent, if they are honest, should be able to tell you what to expect for that time of year with the dock and the water level. Smokies Angling Adventures Guide Service, Boat Rental 3520 Dockery Drive Mascot, Tennessee 37806-1108 (865) 661-5107. It can accommodate six people, making it ideal for a family and friends getaway. Its flood-storage capacity is 1,082,000 acre-feet. The best part? They lower the lake level starting in the fall to prepare for winter/spring rains. Its waters have a maximum depth of 140 feet and fluctuate 15-20 feet during the rainy season. Accommodates: 10 Nov 24, 2020 | History, Residents, Tourism. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! Accommodates: 10 Click here for more information about Douglas Lake fishing and fishing license requirements. The lake isnt prone to heavy currents and visibility above the water is good. Cherokee Lake offers plenty of recreational activities, including watersports, boating, fishing, swimming and more. Once you are settled in I would suggest using spinning gear with 6lb test line or so. Today, we are diving deep into the seasons of fishing on Douglas Lake and the types of fish that you may catch. Place for Sunset Photo in Sevierville or Pigeon Forge. We always said we didn't catch anything but some small crappie that we released. Tranquil cabin with a wraparound deck, Dandridge (from USD 246), 7. Offering picture-perfect mountain and lake views, this three-bedroom house is suitable for tourists on the hunt for accommodations with a view. Impressed with the interiors? Concentrations of largemouth bass have been observed in the creek channels after the water has been drawn down in the fall. A fireplace, patio with outdoor furniture and plenty of entertainment facilities such as HDTV, WiFi, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One and board games are other exciting things in store for guests. This dreamy scene is possible when you stay in this lakefront cabin with a wraparound, the perfect spot for morning coffee and afternoon drinks. Now I am learning that the lake will probably be at a very low level at that time of year, the dock may not be floating, and the waters edge may be out 50 ft or more. The best time to catch a white bass is between the months of January to April. Very relaxing! Lakes are getting so crowded people that live here cant even enjoy them. Youre out making memories with the people you love, and no big fish tales needed for this day on the water. You'll have plenty of options. All I remember is his name was Bishop and he was a really nice guy. Non-native Species: Boat Access: Along the lake's 550 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of exciting things to do, including fishing, hiking, and rafting. Thanks for the input. Now, I really don't know what to do. Should I cancel my reservation at the lake house and move up into the mountains? Any mor If you can dock or not will depend on if the dock is in deep or shallow water and how far out it reaches from the bank. Clean water, sizeable, and lots of private coves if you like that, or wide open space for wake, waverunners, tubes, and everything else. The lake is great! Cherokee Lake covers 30,300 acres at full pool, is 59 miles long, and has 463 miles of shoreline attracting over 2.5 million visitors annually. Unsubscribe in one click. During the summer, the hot sun can prove to be a formidable foe to the fisherman. The most effective way to catch either of these fish is to use large red or orange flies as bait. Read Also: Top things to do in the Smoky Mountains for free. Fishing is also a good idea, as Lake Douglas has an abundance of catfish and crappie. PO Box 66 Assuming there is enough rain to refill the reservoir to full pool (990ft above sea level) by the end of spring the Help! The many islands offer great spots to picnic and swim as well. Check availability on hotels close to Douglas Lake Tonight Dec 5 - Dec 6 Tomorrow night Dec 6 - Dec 7 This weekend Dec 9 - Dec 11 Next weekend Dec 16 - Dec 18 Show map Filter by Popular filters Pet friendly Pool Wilderness at the Smokies Hotel Breakfast included Guest rating Star rating Payment type Property type Neighborhood Tie your boat off to those nails somewhere near the turbine intakes at the emergency shutoff gates (a cushion of some sort between your boat and the dam surface is necessary). Vacations have been fun. WebDouglas Dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from February 2, 1942 through February 19, 1943, during the peak of World War II. Hydro production for the calendar year-to-date is 57 percent of normal. This cabin also houses a well-equipped kitchen with granite countertops, delighting the chef of the family. A buddy and me used to go a couple of times a week during the summer and catch a limit of trout nearly every trip. Unfortunately, there is no other way to address the repairs needed at the dam and also provide some additional improvements to the fish habitats of the lake without draining it, Pionessa said. Whether you are looking for fun in the sun, good fishing, or a welcoming community, we are ready to host you and whoever youre making memories with. Thats the sad part. Douglas Lakes game fish feed on an abundant supply of gizzard shad, bluegill, and various types of minnows. Flood Storage Reservoir. For the calendar year-to-date (Jan. 1-June 12), the Valley has received a total of 19.63 inches of rainfall and 10.19 inches of runoff. Imagine yourself out on the lake with your family or your closest friends. There are also multiple places where you can rent a pontoon, fishing boat or a jet ski if you dont feel like hauling a trailer down to the mountains. Catfish feed on crayfish, worms, fish, insects, decaying animal matter, and mollusks, and spawning takes place when water surface temperatures near 75 degrees. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59206859', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Douglas Lake during the second week of October. If you look closely at the face of the dam you will notice there are nails still stuck in the concrete from when they removed the forms (those nails are tough and you can't break them). Thanks for the input. The reservoir, which occasionally hosts large fishing tournaments, offers black bass (large and smallmouth) as well as crappie. Cozy cabin with a boat ramp, Sevierville (from USD 167), 5. Lakeway Bait and Tackle Shop 1055 Douglas Dam At summertime, on Douglas Reservoir, youre less likely to run into something. Love Douglas Lake, (not packed ever) exploring the coves, SUP, Pontoon, Jet Ski- Float rafts whatever all fun coupled with the more laid back lifestyle. History of Douglas Lake Construction on Douglas Dam began in 1942 and was completed just over a year later by the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide hydroelectric power to thousands of families and to control flooding downstream in the Tennessee River Valley. Construction on Douglas Dam began in 1942 and was completed just over a year later by the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide hydroelectric power to thousands of families and to control flooding downstream in the Tennessee River Valley. Millions of people safely enjoy the TVA lake system each year. I only have until September to cancel. Many ads specify that detail during your search. Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. Its a great place for boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming during your vacation, too! Now, I really don't know what to do. Ah, those were the good old days! Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in. Also of interest if youre into birding is the nearby Seven Island State Park, located in a fork in the French Broad, just below Douglas Lake at the Knox/Sevier County line. We pride ourselves on our country hospitality and we would like to extend some to you! Assuming there is enough rain to refill the reservoir to full pool (990ft above sea level) by the end of spring the lake is held at about full pool through the summer months. Some tributaries may feel the fall more precipitously than others. This is usually a very small threat that quickly and naturally repairs itself. It helps with the overall water control in the Tennessee Valley. In your leisure time, you can swim in the lake or play a game of pool on site. Rustic lakefront cabin for six, Dandridge (from USD 206). They were life-giving as people used their waters for irrigation, sustenance and commerce. Oops, this listing is currently inactive. (Perfect answer). 127 W. Hwy 25/70, Suite C, Dandridge, TN 37725. The lake is fed by the French Broad River and Nolichucky River, both of which originate in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. And dont drink the reservoir water, of course. Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in. Local residents will tell you this is a great place to live, tucked in the foothills of the majestic Great Smoky Mountains. Look forward to a few more pull up by boat and walk in places for great cheese burgers, ribs, or chefs specials that always go great with local conversations and kicked back story tellin. Retiring before the end of the year so living there year round will be different. May 11, 2022 | Community, Residents, Tourism. We never let anyone know until recently what we were catching and how. On Douglas Lake, the typical annual fluctuation of the water level is about 54 feet. Above the dam is a campground with hookups and showers, a picnic area, all seasons boat ramp, and swimming beach. To fish in the state of Tennessee, you must have a state fishing license. When you are visiting, on average, the water level will be around 15ft below summer pool. What is the deepest part of Douglas Lake? Fishing in the fall is commonly regarded as the best time for an angler to get out there, and we can understand why. Douglas Dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from February 2, 1942 through February 19, 1943, during the peak of World War II. Cherokee Lake, also known as Cherokee Reservoir, is an artificial reservoir in the U.S. state of Tennessee formed by the impoundment of the Holston River behind Cherokee Dam. Other popular sports fish species include White Bass, Sauger, Black Crappie, Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Walleye, Blue Cat, Flat Head Catfish, Channel Catfish, Red Horse, Red Breast Sunfish and Bluegill. Bait the hook with 1/4-1/2 of a night crawler. The TVA provides recreational facilities at Douglas Dam. The water is warm enough that the fish come to the surface of Douglas Lake, and they are also bulking up for the winter so they wont hesitate to pursue a snack. Douglas Lake is 43.1 miles long and covers a grand 30,400 acres. WebEast Tennessee Outdoors. The lake is in a rural area and after heavy rainstorms that follow a long dry spell, the lakes E. coli levels will rise due to the runoff from area farms. Required fields are marked *, Copyright . Even fished during one of the big cicada hatches- throw anything in the water where there was overhanging trees and you never knew what you would hook. Here's a secret fishing tip I'll let you in on since I no longer live in the area and can't fish Douglas. Let us know in the comments! Any more suggestions out there? Kayaks, Canoes, Sail Boats, Power Boats, Jet-skis, State & Local Rules & Regulations Apply The area was mostly rural at the time and greatly benefited from the power that the dam provided, but thats not all. Why do they drain lake Douglas? Douglas Lake is rated one of the top five Crappie fishing lakes in the nation, also in the top 10 in the nation for Large Mouth Bass. Swimming Allowed, No Restrictions. Its a beautiful lake, with great views. Help! We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. Here on the Lakeside of the Smokies, Douglas Lake is the crown jewel of the White Pine and Jefferson County community. Here, we are breaking down the types of fish that you can find in Douglas Lake and when the best times are to catch them. Start the year reeling in these schooling fish. After a refreshing swim in the water, you can gather around the fire pit with friends and family, roast marshmallows and enjoy drinks. Where to visit for a couple days from NJ to Sevierville TN? Hope to build next year.. Heart will always be in Chicago, my mission has been in SE Wisconsin but am transitioning to Jefferson County and so looking forward to it! Whether youre visiting by boat or picnicking on land, theres just something about a lake day that refreshes the spirit and settles the soul. Douglas Lake is surrounded by Newport, White Pine, Dandridge, and Seville. This picturesque community is filled with family-owned businesses, local eateries, bookstore, and libraries. Additionally, a screened porch and a balcony are available for outdoor lounging. For TVA water info go to http://lakeinfo.tva.gov for water levels and generating schedules. We've also rented a cabin on the lake so I will be very disappointed if this is true! The reservoir itself extends 43 miles upriver from the dam through Sevier, Jefferson and Cocke counties. There are a wide variety of licenses at varying costs for residents and non-residents. Douglas Lake, also known as Douglas Reservoir, is a flood storage The rivers ran wild and free, carving through the bedrock of time. Some great fishing takes place from Point 18 to the Walters Bridge area as fish move upstream near Baneberry. Then came the Tennessee Valley Authority. Douglas Lake is in the top 10 in the United States for both largemouth bass and crappie fishing. There was a subsequent push to raise awareness and change some state laws to make marinas and docks better regulated. Similar to white bass, the best time to catch walleye or sauger is between January and April. With the Douglas Lake almost at the doorstep, guests can play in the waters to their hearts content. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Like white bass, the best time to catch these fish is between January and April as sauger makes a spring spawning run to the headwaters of the reservoir and the French Broad River during that time. The Douglas dam features four generating units that together have a net dependable capacity of 111 megawatts. Come visit us on your next trip out of town with the people you love, and experience why were proud of our historic and growing little town. Ourselves on our country hospitality and we would like to extend some you! Fishing license less likely to run into something and generating schedules upriver from the dam through Sevier, and. Picnicking and swimming during your vacation, too sitting just over 40 miles northeast Knoxville. Miles long and covers a grand 30,400 acres love, and Seville fall is commonly regarded the! Better when they 're pulling water and making a current through Sevier, Jefferson and Cocke counties offers! 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