FISHING MELTON HILL LAKE: TIPS FROM A LOCAL FISHERMAN

Melton Hill Lake, situated along the Clinch River in Oak Ridge, spans nearly 57 miles upstream from Melton Hill Dam to Norris Dam. Boasting an extensive shoreline of over 170 miles, the lake offers numerous prime fishing locations. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has identified 28 diverse fish species thriving in Melton Hill Lake. Among the favorites is the musky, and Melton Hill proudly holds the state record for this species, with an impressive weight of 43 pounds, 14 ounces.

Given the frequent inquiries about fishing at Melton Hill, we decided to seek accurate insights from a seasoned local angler who regularly fishes Melton Hill Lake. Here is what we found out:

Q: Are there certain areas or hot spots to fish on Melton Hill Lake?

A: Fish below the Dam for Striper and Catfish. Fish the creeks that feed into Melton Hill for Crappie. Beaver Creek and Hope Creek are some of the hot spots. You can find a map of Melton Hill Lake here.

 Q: What species do you fish?

A: Crappie, Shellcracker (Redear Sunfish), Striper and Catfish.

 Q: What bait/lures do you recommend?

A: Live bait for both Crappie (minnows) and striper (shad). Use red worms for Shellcracker and cut bait (blue gill or Skip Jack Herring) for Catfish.

 Q: What does a typical catch look like?

A: I can easily catch a limit (15) of crappie 10 inches or longer in the late winter and spring. I catch a lot of shell Crackers in late April early May. You can find all Melton Hill regulations here.

 Q: Best place to launch your boat in your opinion.

A: Carbide park (aka Clark Center Park) is my favorite boat launch followed by the Solway ramp.

 Q: Any tips or advice for someone new to fishing Melton Hill Lake?

A: The lake can get shallow quickly. Pay attention to the channel markers and watch out for the stump fields. Take some time and use your mapping system (Chart plotter) to identify hazards and plan a route.

 Q: When is the best time (month/season) to fish?

A: Winter and early spring are my favorite time of year to be on Melton Hill lake.

 Q: Can you eat fish caught on Melton Hill Lake?

A: Yes, the fish can be eaten, with the exception of catfish.  The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation advises against the consumption of catfish from Melton Hill dues to PCB contamination.

A Few Melton Hill Facts & Figures:

·         Melton Hill Dam is 103 feet high and stretches 1,020 feet across the Clinch River

·         Melton Hill is the only dam in the tributary reservoir system with a navigation lock.

·         Melton Hill is a run-of-river reservoir, meaning that water is passed through the reservoir without being stored long-term. The water level typically fluctuates less than two feet daily (between elevation 793 and 795)