Closest first
Every public access within reach of Smyrna
From TWRA’s own access database, with a directions link on each one. Distances are straight-line from Smyrna, so the drive is always a bit longer.
Tap a pin for the spot page and directions. Open the full Tennessee fishing map.
J. Percy Priest Lake
Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesWest Fork3 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.Florence Rd1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.98066, -86.46940Free3 out of 5facilitiesJefferson Springs3 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.00170, -86.47230Free4 out of 5facilitiesStewarts Creek4 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.03268, -86.49382Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesEast Fork Boat Ramp4 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →35.98130, -86.44550Free4.5 out of 5facilitiesFate Sanders Marina4 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.04270, -86.49450Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesJ. Percy Priest Lake Boat Launch5 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.Directions and detail →36.03740, -86.47435Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesFall Creek5 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.840 to 452 to Mona Rd1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.01760, -86.44710Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesPoole’s Knob Campground5 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.Directions and detail →36.05368, -86.51889Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesPoole’s Knob Recreation Area5 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.05463, -86.51103Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesHurricane Creek5 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.04972, -86.56239Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesFour Corners Boat & Marina5 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to Mt Juliet exit, South on 171 to Hamilton Church Road, left at light1 ramp, 3 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.05150, -86.56660Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesMona Boat Ramp6 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.W. Jefferson Pike1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.97890, -86.41850Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesBryant’s Grove6 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.07370, -86.51840Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesLong Hunter Boat Ramp8 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.08990, -86.54580Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesAnderson Boat Ramp10 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10610, -86.59500Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesSmith’s Spring Park10 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10970, -86.60940Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesHamilton Creek10 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewart’s Ferry Rd, then to Hamilton Creekrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10471, -86.62426Free3 out of 5facilitiesHamilton Creek Boat Ramp10 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.Off of Bell Rd turn onto Hamilton Creek Rd, go straight to very back1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.11039, -86.61809Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesSeven Points Boat Ramp11 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13170, -86.56510Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesPercy Priest Marina and Yacht Club11 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 3 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →36.11160, -86.62270Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesSeven Points Rec. Area Campground11 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd to South New Hope Road1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →36.13080, -86.57460Free4 out of 5facilitiesVivrett Creek Recreation Area11 mi from Smyrna · Wilson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.14076, -86.54348Free4 out of 5facilitiesCook Recreation Area11 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, Bell Rd to South New Hope Rd1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing pieraccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13189, -86.59539Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesHamilton Creek Marina12 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.12750, -86.62140Launch fee2 out of 5facilitiesElm Hill Recreation Area12 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewart’s Ferry Rd, Stewart’s Ferry to Elm Hill Rec ArearestroomsDirections and detail →36.12636, -86.62458Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesElm Hill Park Access12 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13030, -86.62080Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesElm Hill Marina12 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewarts Ferry, proceed to marina2 ramps, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13370, -86.62230Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesNashville Shores Water Park13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell rd, right to entrancecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15754, -86.60596Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesJ. Percy Priest Resource Center13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewart’s Ferry exit, Bell Rdaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15383, -86.62129Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesJ. Percy Priest Lake Boat Launch13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.Directions and detail →36.16101, -86.60821Free4 out of 5facilitiesNashville Shores Yacht Club and Marina13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221,OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to entrance1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.16110, -86.60820Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesNashville Shores side Percy Priest Dam13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to Damaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15892, -86.61488
West Fork Stones River
Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesMurfreesboro Greenway8 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.Thompson Lane1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.88778, -86.42303Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesWest Fork Stones River Paddle Launch9 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.Directions and detail →35.87597, -86.42263Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesManson Pk Trailhead Access11 mi from Smyrna · Rutherford Co.Directions and detail →35.85751, -86.41214
East Fork Stones River
Stones River
Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesMetro Park side below Percy Priest Dam13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to damrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15760, -86.62084Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesBelow Percy Priest East Side13 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to Dodson ChapelDirections and detail →36.15854, -86.61891Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesStones River Greenway, Hermitage15 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.Directions and detail →36.18533, -86.63434Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesHeartland Ramp16 mi from Smyrna · Davidson Co.From I40, take exit 215B for TN 155 N/Briley Pkwy. Take exit 10 for Two Rivers Pkwy. Turn right at Two Rivers Pkwy. Turn left at McGavock Pike. Take 2nd right onto Fernbrook…1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.18539, -86.66500
What to bring
What to bring fishing near Smyrna
Three picks from the largemouth bass checklist that work for the fish here. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.
RodUgly Stik GX2 7 ft medium-heavy casting rodStiff enough to set a hook in grass, tough enough to live in a truck bed.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
ReelAbu Garcia Black Max baitcasting reelAn inexpensive baitcaster that casts cleanly once the brakes are set.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Soft plasticZoom Trick WormThe Tennessee standard on a Texas rig or weightless along docks and grass edges.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:
What it looks like
The water around Smyrna
Photographs of the lakes and rivers on this page. Drag or swipe for more. Every picture opens that water’s own page.
J. Percy Priest LakeOpen the J. Percy Priest Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Stones RiverOpen the Stones River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
East Fork Stones RiverOpen the East Fork Stones River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
J. Percy Priest LakeOpen the J. Percy Priest Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Stones RiverOpen the Stones River page →Brent Moore / CC BY 2.0
East Fork Stones RiverOpen the East Fork Stones River page →Brent Moore / CC BY 2.0No boat
Bank fishing near Smyrna
3 public fishing piers within reach of Smyrna. No boat needed for any of them.
Free4 out of 5facilitiesStewarts CreekJ. Percy Priest Lake · 4 mi from Smyrna1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.03268, -86.49382Free4 out of 5facilitiesVivrett Creek Recreation AreaJ. Percy Priest Lake · 11 mi from Smyrna1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.14076, -86.54348Free4 out of 5facilitiesCook Recreation AreaJ. Percy Priest Lake · 11 mi from SmyrnaI-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, Bell Rd to South New Hope Rd1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing pieraccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13189, -86.59539
Shoreline access in Rutherford County
Stewart Creek at Smyrna, an enhanced bank fishing site purpose-built for shore anglers and the best answer in the county for someone without a boat. The Murfreesboro Greenway along the West Fork, 12 miles of paved path with 11 trailheads, much of it river-side. Walter Hill Dam. Fate Sanders and Jefferson Springs recreation areas. The East Fork ramp area. Old Fort Park and Barfield Crescent Park for river access. Stones River National Battlefield.
11 public boat launches in Rutherford County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.
Towns near here
Towns near Smyrna
The nearest towns to Smyrna with pages of their own. If nothing near Smyrna suits, one of these usually does.
Fishing near MurfreesboroJ. Percy Priest Lake, West Fork Stones RiverSee the spots →Fishing near Mount JulietOld Hickory Lake, J. Percy Priest LakeSee the spots →Fishing near BrentwoodJ. Percy Priest Lake, Cumberland RiverSee the spots →Fishing near NashvilleJ. Percy Priest Lake, Cheatham LakeSee the spots →Fishing near FranklinHarpeth River, J. Percy Priest LakeSee the spots →
Smyrna water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill.