Lack of catfish in Douglas lake.
Tennessee Fishing
Hi I just moved to Dandridge Tn. a couple months ago and have been fishing Douglas lake and for the life of me I am still to catch a catfish. I have looked for information online and found that this lake is the only lake that is fished commercially for catfish. I have never had trouble catching catfish wherever I have been but Douglas has me skunked! Any chance anyone has information about how to catch catfish in Douglas please share I’m desperate.
I fish Douglas for crappie and end up catching cats. I fish back in the channels by swans and Douglas lake campground. Where are you from? Scott
I met a guy who fishes between the I40 bridge and Nina creek on the north side says he gets large cats.
I apologize Scoot for calling you Scott I should have paid more attention. I thank you for the information I’ll try that area and see if I can change my luck. Appreciate the response and again sorry for messing up on the name.
Scoot do you have any suggestions on the type of bait to use?
No thing my name is Scott but that user name was not available, so I had to use an old nickname.
I fish with minnows but the bait shop says anything will bite a night crawler.
Where did you relocate from?
I moved here from Nashville where I had lived for years. I caught many nice catfish from the Cumberland river and Percy Priest lake. I lived on Percy Priest and also caught a lot of nice Stripes there. I only live 7 minutes from Douglas and apparently Stripes and catfish are not that abundant in this lake. I think it is managed mostly for bass and crappie.thanks for the help.
Scoot I have tried nightcrallers,liver,shiners,skipjack,shrimp and even tried chicken. I tried chicken because I seen Catfish Dave catching big blue cats on you tube with it but I’m yet to catch a catfish. O yeah I tried bluegills also and caught a 4 lb. Bass. That was fun it just wasn’t what I was fishing for. Hey thanks for the support.
Wow with all that ammo I would think your catching like crazy.
I am just getting started to fish, I just retired this year.
Which boat dock do you use?
Scoot I am currently fishing from the bank as someone decided they needed my boat more than I did! I have been fishing the spring creek area and muddy creek and I found a little park down town Dandridge I tried. I am 62 myself and new to this area. I plan on trying the north side of the 40 bridge when I get the chance as you suggested. I have never had this hard a time catching catfish. Thanks for the reply. I wish you well with your fishing.
Perhaps we can meet each other and maybe go fishing. I don’t know about you but retirement sure keeps me busy. I don’t know how I accomplished everything while working.
Scoot I know man I stay busier now than when I was working. I think getting together for a little fishing is a good idea. Do you live close to Dandridge? I’m about 15 minutes out of town. I’m going to be in West Virginia until Wednesday but when I get back if you want to get a hook wet I’m up for it. Just don’t catch them all before I get back. Lol Jerome Morris
Sounds good. Let me know after you get back. I’m near spring creek. I won’t catch them all, I likely won’t even get to fish before then. Safe travels.
jsbar383 wrote:
Hi I just moved to Dandridge Tn. a couple months ago and have been fishing Douglas lake and for the life of me I am still to catch a catfish. I have looked for information online and found that this lake is the only lake that is fished commercially for catfish. I have never had trouble catching catfish wherever I have been but Douglas has me skunked! Any chance anyone has information about how to catch catfish in Douglas please share I’m desperate.
Douglas Lake public dock just across the bridge in Dandridge is very nice. I fish there for bass but have seen nice cats' caught there on minnows. You need to go down with minnow about 25 to 30 feet. I was there a couple days ago in the morning and saw about a 10 pound caught on a minnow. It's kind of hit and miss on catching there but Douglas gets a lot of pressure from tournaments and just your weekend anglers. Having a boat definitely improves your chances especially with TVA regulating water levels in May and then in the late summer/fall.
Hi ghaynes1 thanks for the reply. I was down there about a month ago but didn’t get to fish it the wind was so bad I decided on the little park on the other end of the bridge because it was out of the wind a little better, but came up empty again. That’s a good suggestion and that will probably be my next trip unless I get the time to try the Tennessee river. Thanks again for the help. Jerome Morris
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.