It used to be good for walleye. Then they started stocking alewifes (which they now admit was a mistake) and the walleye moved offshore, plus they began stocking lake walleye which won't hardly ever bite. They are trying to come up with a hybrid walleye that is easier to catch. Many of the crappie were wiped out by the stripers because they are a open water, schooling fish. When you don't have a good crappie population, which is the most prolific breeding fish, then you have problems. It is still clean and beautiful though! I have even drank Norris lake water plenty of times with no ill effects. I think in the 80's and 90's it was even classified as the 3rd cleanest lake in the country as well as certified drinking water. Not a lot has changed.
Loudon, Chickamauga and Watts Barr are good choices for Crappie. They catch some huge ones out of those lakes.
For big Bass head to Douglas, Watts Barr or Chickamauga. Recently, a 49 pound bag came out of Chick. 5 fish, that averaged almost 10 pounds each! State record was broken there a year or two ago. Over 15 pounder. They have began stocking Florida strain largemouth in Loudon and Watts Barr. In another 3 years or so those lakes could be dynamite. Douglas is a great lake to whack some big largemouth. If you can find a school you can catch the hell out of them. I hadn't been to Douglas in about 2 years and went in June. It took me all of an hour to put a 6 pounder in the boat on a Texas rigged plastic worm.
