Davidson County, TN · Reservoir
J. Percy Priest Lake
Nashville's in-town reservoir on the Stones River — largemouth and smallmouth bass, a popular crappie fishery, plus striped bass and catfish minutes from downtown.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Channel Catfish — Skip the Channel Catfish trip today.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at J. Percy Priest Lake.
Flood Watch issued July 12 at 1:06PM CDT until July 12 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at J. Percy Priest Lake
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 16/100
What's helping
- 76°F water — right in channel catfish's ideal range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- no limit
No statewide limit; some reservoirs cap trophy-size fish.
Source: Tennessee regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Smallmouth Bass Skip the Smallmouth Bass trip today. In season 8/100
What's helping
- 76°F water — inside smallmouth bass's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
5/day (smallmouth/spotted combined); only one over 16" per day.
Source: Tennessee regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#3 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 4/100
What's helping
- 76°F water — inside largemouth bass's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- no limit
No statewide creel or length limit; only one over 18" may be kept per day.
Source: Tennessee regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#3 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 4/100
What's helping
- 76°F water — inside crappie's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 20
20/day; only five over 12" per day.
Source: Tennessee regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#5 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 76°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 2
15" minimum, 2/day on most reservoirs; a thermal-refuge closure runs Jul 1–Sep 15 in designated zones.
Source: Tennessee regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Tennessee
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for J. Percy Priest Lake: Tennessee TWRA fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at J. Percy Priest Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at J. Percy Priest Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at J. Percy Priest Lake?
J. Percy Priest Lake is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Striped Bass, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at J. Percy Priest Lake?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at J. Percy Priest Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does J. Percy Priest Lake have?
J. Percy Priest Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at J. Percy Priest Lake?
state agency regulations apply at J. Percy Priest Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is J. Percy Priest Lake tidal water?
No. J. Percy Priest Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.