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Boat Launch · Jefferson County

TVA Cherokee Dam, Cherokee Lake

3 ramps, 2 lanes, canoe / kayak landing, restrooms. 3 miles from Jefferson City.

Get driving directionsAll Jefferson County spots

With a guide

Guides and charters near TVA Cherokee Dam

Captains who run Cherokee Lake, with their own phone numbers. You call and book with them directly.

Capt. Skylar Hamilton · Dandridge

Skylar Hamilton Guide Service

Bassskylarhamiltonfishing.com

Capt. Nathan Mountain · Dandridge / Gatlinburg

Nathan Mountain Outdoors

Largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, bluegill, troutCall 423-726-0240nathanmountainoutdoors.com

Capt. Jim Durham · Multi-base TN/KY

StriperFun Guide Service

Cherokee Lake stripersCall 931-403-2501striperfun.com

Every Tennessee guide by water

What to bring

Tackle for TVA Cherokee Dam

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
Full largemouth bass checklist (11 items)All gear checklists

Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:

Smallmouth Bass checklistCrappie checklistBluegill and Panfish checklistFish Finders comparedTrolling Motors comparedLithium Marine Batteries comparedShallow Water Anchors compared

How to get there

Getting to TVA Cherokee Dam

TVA Cherokee Dam is a public boat launch on Cherokee Lake in Jefferson County, Tennessee, run by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

I-40, exit 417, North on TN 92 for 6.7 mi, left on W Broadway Blvd, 1.3 mi, right on TN 92N for 1 mi, left on TN 92N for 3.6 mi, ramp on right

TVA Cherokee Dam is 2.6 miles north-west of Jefferson City, the nearest town with its own page here. The county seat, Dandridge, is 11 miles to the south-east. The closest other public access is Cherokee Dam Tailwaters on Holston River, 1.0 miles to the north-east. For bait, Cherokee Bait & Tackle in Jefferson City is about 3 miles away.

Coordinates 36.15580, -83.51350

Open in Google MapsSee nearby spots on the mapFishing near Jefferson City
Aerial view of TVA Cherokee Dam
TVA Cherokee Dam from above. The pin marks the access point. USGS aerial imagery.

What is there

What you will find at TVA Cherokee Dam

Free to launch 4.5 out of 5 Facilities 4.5 of 5, scored from what TWRA records: ramp, docks, pier, restrooms, parking, lighting and hours.

Everything below comes from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s own public access record for TVA Cherokee Dam. It is the same data the state uses, not a guess from a photograph.

Boat ramp

You can launch a trailered boat here. 2 lanes.

Canoe and kayak

A landing shallow enough to carry a paddle craft in and out.

Restrooms

Toilets on site, which is rarer than you would think.

Accessible parking

Marked accessible parking at the access point.

Courtesy dock

A dock beside the ramp to tie off while you park the trailer.

Open 24 hours

TWRA records round the clock access, so early starts are fine.

Not recorded here: fishing pier, camping. Worth knowing before a long drive with the family.

What you can catch

Fish you can catch at TVA Cherokee Dam

Cherokee Lake holds these, according to the county research behind this site and TWRA’s own species notes.

largemouth basssmallmouth basscrappiebluegillstriped basswhite basswalleyesaugeyecatfish

TWRA notes fish densities here are greater than in most Tennessee reservoirs because of high fertility; the Hawkins end fishes more like a river than a lake.

Everything on Cherokee LakeFind a local fishing guide

What you can keep

Fishing limits at TVA Cherokee Dam

What you can keep from Cherokee Lake at TVA Cherokee Dam. TWRA sets 6 rules just for Cherokee Lake. They replace the statewide limit for those fish. Everything else follows the statewide limit.

FishDaily limitLengthWhere or when
Largemouth bass5 combined with smallmouth15 in minimumReservoir rules run from Cherokee Dam upstream to John Sevier Dam
Smallmouth bass1 (Jun 1–Oct 15); 5 (Oct 16–May 31)18 in minimum Jun 1–Oct 15; 15 in minimum Oct 16–May 31Within the 5 largemouth/smallmouth combined limit
Spotted bass15No length limitSpotted/Alabama bass, separate from the largemouth/smallmouth limit
Walleye10 walleye/sauger/saugeye combined15 in minimumCherokee Lake rule
Sauger10 walleye/sauger/saugeye combined15 in minimumCherokee Lake rule
Paddlefish1No length limitSeason Apr 1–15. Culling prohibited. Holston River from Hwy 344 (Malinda Ferry Rd) bridge up to John Sevier Dam closed to snagging Mar 1–31 and Apr 16–May 31
Crappie1510 in minimumStatewide
BluegillNo limitNo minimumStatewide
Striped bass2 striped and hybrid combined15 in minimumStatewide
White bass15No minimumStatewide
Channel catfishNo limit under 34 inOnly one over 34 inStatewide

Other rules on Cherokee Lake

  • Jul 1–Sep 15: marked zone just above Cherokee Dam closed to fishing from boats (bank fishing and southeast-shore coves stay open)

From the 2026–27 Tennessee Fishing Guide (TWRA), in effect 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, checked 25 September 2026. Rules change, so check the guide before you keep a fish.

Statewide limits and licenses

11 public boat launches in Jefferson County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.

What it looks like

Cherokee Lake around TVA Cherokee Dam

What the water at TVA Cherokee Dam actually looks like. Drag or swipe through. Every picture opens that water’s own page.

Cherokee Lake, TennesseeCherokee LakeOpen the Cherokee Lake page →TVA Web Team / CC BY 2.0Douglas Lake, TennesseeDouglas LakeOpen the Douglas Lake page →Dwight Burdette / CC BY 3.0French Broad River, TennesseeFrench Broad RiverOpen the French Broad River page →Pollinator at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0Cherokee Lake, TennesseeCherokee LakeOpen the Cherokee Lake page →Dwight Burdette / CC BY 3.0Douglas Lake, TennesseeDouglas LakeOpen the Douglas Lake page →Pi.1415926535 / CC BY-SA 4.0French Broad River, TennesseeFrench Broad RiverOpen the French Broad River page →U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region / Public domain

Next one along

More Cherokee Lake access near TVA Cherokee Dam

The closest other public access points on Cherokee Lake, measured straight line from TVA Cherokee Dam. Each one opens its own page with directions.

Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandBlack Oak Dock1.5 miles eastI-40, exit 417, North on HWY 92 for 6.6 mil, right on Russell Ave for 1.2 mi, right on E Rhoten St, 1 mi, right on Black Oak Rd, marina is 1.3 mi on left1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15400, -83.48630Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAByrd Spring Branch1.7 miles south-east2133 N Sizer Ave, Jefferson City, TN 377601 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.13670, -83.49520Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVAMossy Creek1.7 miles southNorth on Russell Ave in Jefferson City. Left on Cherokee dr-dead endcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.13170, -83.50660Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAOakland Hollow Access Area2.0 miles north-east15061 Lakeshore Dr, Rutledge, TN 378611 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.17720, -83.48830Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAGrainger County Park4.7 miles north-east12586 Lakeshore Dr, Rutledge, TN 378611 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsDirections and detail →36.21340, -83.46780Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAGreenlee Campground May Springs5.0 miles north-eastFollow HWY 375 (Lakeshore Rd) approx 5 miles from HWY 92, right on Wa-Ni Village Rd, right onto May Springs Rd1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.21510, -83.46300
All 47 access points on Cherokee Lake

TVA Cherokee Dam water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill.

Other water close by

Other fishing near TVA Cherokee Dam

Public access on other water within 20 miles of TVA Cherokee Dam, including Holston River and Douglas Lake. Handy when the wind is wrong on Cherokee Lake or the ramp is busy.

Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVACherokee Dam TailwatersHolston River · 1.0 miles north-eastUS 11E or US 11W to Cherokee Dam1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.16746, -83.50401Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · Private LandIndian Cave ParkHolston River · 4.9 miles westTurn onto Indian Cave Rd off Indian Ridge, follow about 1 mile to end.canoe / kayak landingrestroomsDirections and detail →36.15928, -83.60077Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRANance’s FerryHolston River · 7.3 miles west1491 Nance Ferry Rd, Blaine, TN 377091 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.12776, -83.63887Free5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVADandridge AccessDouglas Lake · 12 miles south-eastPublic Dr, Dandridge, TN1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.00730, -83.41540Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandThe Point MarinaDouglas Lake · 12 miles south-eastI-40, exit 417, south on TN 92 for 2.6 mi, right on Gay St, 0.1 mi over bridge, marina is on left2 ramps, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.00960, -83.40800Free1 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVAShady Grove AccessDouglas Lake · 12 miles southDirections and detail →35.98327, -83.46488

Bait on the way

Bait and tackle near TVA Cherokee Dam

The closest shops to TVA Cherokee Dam that this site has checked. Cherokee Bait & Tackle in Jefferson City is nearest, about 3 miles away. Call ahead in winter, when smaller shops cut their hours.

Jefferson City · about 3 milesCherokee Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Jefferson City · about 3 milesMobile Bait StoreLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Rutledge · about 9 milesGilmore Boat DockLakeside operation with a dock store, bait and often boat rental.Directions and phone →
All bait and tackle in Jefferson County

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Common questions

Questions about TVA Cherokee Dam

Can you launch a boat at TVA Cherokee Dam?

Yes. TWRA records TVA Cherokee Dam as having a boat ramp. It has 2 lanes. TWRA records it as free to launch.

Do you need a fishing licence at TVA Cherokee Dam?

Yes. Anyone 13 or older needs a Tennessee fishing licence to fish here, and a trout supplemental on top of it if you plan to keep trout. It is the same rule at every public access point in the state.

What fish are in the water at TVA Cherokee Dam?

Cherokee Lake holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, striped bass, white bass, walleye, saugeye and catfish. Seasons and creel limits are set by TWRA and change, so check them before you keep anything.

Where can I buy bait near TVA Cherokee Dam?

Cherokee Bait & Tackle in Jefferson City is the closest bait and tackle shop this site lists, about 3 miles from TVA Cherokee Dam. Mobile Bait Store in Jefferson City is next, about 3 miles away.

Is there a restroom at TVA Cherokee Dam?

Yes, TWRA records restrooms at this access point.

Who runs TVA Cherokee Dam?

TVA Cherokee Dam is listed under the Tennessee Valley Authority in TWRA’s public access database. The owner is worth knowing because it usually decides whether there is a fee, whether the gate is locked overnight, and who to ring when a ramp is closed for repair.

Where to next

Around TVA Cherokee Dam

TVA Cherokee Dam is one access point. These pages cover the rest of the water and the rest of the county.

The whole waterFishing Cherokee Lake47 public access points across 4 counties.See the spots →County guideFishing in Jefferson CountyEvery public spot in Jefferson County, mapped out.See the spots →Full listJefferson County spot listAll 23 access points in the county.See the spots →GearBait and tackle near DandridgeShops, rentals and where to buy a licence locally.Find gear →Nearest townFishing near Jefferson CityEverything within about 30 miles of Jefferson City, closest first.See the spots →

Keep going

Fishing around TVA Cherokee Dam, and who knows it

Guides and charters on this site are listed by the water they run, so you can ring the captain who fishes Cherokee Lake rather than a booking desk. Licences and limits are one click away too.

Guides by waterLicence and limits