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Dayton · Rhea County

Fishing Near Dayton, Tennessee

Chickamauga Lake, Hiwassee River, Sequatchie River. Every public launch and pier within about 30 minutes of Dayton, and where to buy what you forgot on the way.

Find fishing spots107 public access points within 35 milesFind gear & bait10 bait and tackle shops within 40 miles

Closest first

Every public access within reach of Dayton

From TWRA’s own access database, with a directions link on each one. Distances are straight-line from Dayton, so the drive is always a bit longer.

Tap a pin for the spot page and directions. Open the full Tennessee fishing map.

Chickamauga Lake

Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CountyDayton Boat Dock0 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.3 ramps, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingrentalsDirections and detail →35.49250, -85.00410Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandBlue Water Resort and Marina2 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.From 30, take Double S Road, right onto Shaver Loop1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →35.47960, -84.97590Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRA/TVAGarrison3 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 rampDirections and detail →35.45390, -84.99090Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAFrazier Park3 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 rampfishing pieraccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.47640, -84.95840Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVABlythes Ferry / Rhea County5 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierDirections and detail →35.41461, -85.01161Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CountyBlythes Ferry / Meigs County6 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →35.40936, -85.00866Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRACottonport WMA / Access Area7 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →35.48831, -84.88183Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRABear Branch8 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Hwy 60 north from Birchwood approx 2.25 miles to Burton Rd, left to Shahan Rd, approx..5 miles to ramp on right1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.38249, -85.01522Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAGoodfield Creek9 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Hwy 30 west 2.75 miles from Decatur; turn left on Cottonport Rd, ramp is 1.5 miles on right across bridge.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →35.49740, -84.85270Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAGrasshopper Recreation Area9 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.37120, -85.07200Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAIles Road9 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.Hwy 27 north of Sale Creek; right on Daughert Ferry Rd; 1.75 miles to Iles Rd to ramp1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.37710, -85.08946Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAPatterson9 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.S HWY 27 left on Patterson Road, left at Patterson Cemetery, ramp on left1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.37700, -85.09074Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaSale Creek Marina10 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →35.35810, -85.06000Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRALee Pike10 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.35625, -85.06325Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesMarinaAgency Creek Campground Marina10 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.1 rampDirections and detail →35.37439, -84.90696Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TWRAHwy 58 Bridge North10 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Directions and detail →35.36920, -84.90939Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CountyHwy 58 Bridge11 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.South of Hwy 58 bridge in Meigs County1 ramp, 2 lanesaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.35988, -84.91281Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVAPrice’s Creek West12 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Hwy 58 to Lamontville Rd approx. 4.5 miles; before bridge on rightDirections and detail →35.36227, -84.86250Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAPrice’s Creek East13 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Hwy 58 to Lamontville Rd; approx. 4.5 miles to ramp1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.35929, -84.86027Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAEldridge Slough Ramp13 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →35.30360, -85.05020Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRASewee Creek14 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Hwy 68 east of Watts Bar Dam to Hwy 304 south approx. 4 miles to Hornsby Rd; ramp on left1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.58011, -84.79366Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAPossom Creek Recreation Area14 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.29980, -85.08860Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAIsland View-CLOSED14 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.HWY 58 to Gamble Road, right on HWY 312, left on Thatch Road, ramp on right1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.29211, -85.06833Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAPinhook15 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.1 ramp, 1 laneaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.60512, -84.77424Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVAWatts Bar Dam16 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Directions and detail →35.62062, -84.77736Free4.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CityHolly Circle16 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.28388, -85.14214Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAWare Branch16 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.26256, -85.07919Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaPine Harbor Marina16 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →35.27620, -85.13110Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAArmstrong17 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.27095, -85.12234Launch fee2 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · Private LandShady Grove17 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.Directions and detail →35.26620, -85.11910Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAChickamauga Lake Boat Launch17 mi from Dayton · Hamilton Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →35.27470, -85.14367

Hiwassee River

Launch fee1 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · Private LandAgency Creek Campground10 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.Directions and detail →35.37393, -84.90642Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesTWRAGray’s Ferry14 mi from Dayton · Bradley Co.From I75 to Hwy 308 west 4 miles; right to Hwy 306; 1 mile to Ead’s Bluff Rd; 2 miles, ramp on rightDirections and detail →35.34429, -84.85335Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaB&B Marina15 mi from Dayton · Bradley Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.32714, -84.82864

Sequatchie River

Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TDOTM.A. Patterson12 mi from Dayton · Bledsoe Co.From Pikeville, HWY 127 South to HWY 30, ramp is under HWY 30 Bridge1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →35.59472, -85.19540

Watts Bar Lake

Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CitySpring City Boat Dock15 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pieraccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.66738, -84.85583Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaRhea Harbor16 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.67622, -84.85125Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAWatts Bar Dam16 mi from Dayton · Meigs Co.1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.62703, -84.77839Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVARhea Springs17 mi from Dayton · Rhea Co.1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.68249, -84.82783

Candies Creek

Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRACandies Creek16 mi from Dayton · Bradley Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →35.30967, -84.84758

What to bring

What to bring fishing near Dayton

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 checklistStriper and Hybrid checklistFish Finders comparedTrolling Motors comparedLithium Marine Batteries comparedShallow Water Anchors compared

Measured from town

Where to fish near Dayton

The water within reach of Dayton is Chickamauga Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Hiwassee River and 2 more.

Everything on this page is sorted by straight-line distance from Dayton, not by which county it sits in. Several of the closest spots to Dayton are across a county line, which is exactly the kind of thing a county-by-county list hides.

What it looks like

The water around Dayton

Photographs of the lakes and rivers on this page. Drag or swipe for more. Every picture opens that water’s own page.

Chickamauga Lake, TennesseeChickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →George Green, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Public domainWatts Bar Lake, TennesseeWatts Bar LakeOpen the Watts Bar Lake page →ChristopherM / CC BY 2.5Hiwassee River, TennesseeHiwassee RiverOpen the Hiwassee River page →ChristopherM at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5Sequatchie River, TennesseeSequatchie RiverOpen the Sequatchie River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0Chickamauga Lake, TennesseeChickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →Tennessee Valley Authority / Public domainWatts Bar Lake, TennesseeWatts Bar LakeOpen the Watts Bar Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 4.0

No boat

Bank fishing near Dayton

4 public fishing piers within reach of Dayton. No boat needed for any of them.

Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CountyDayton Boat DockChickamauga Lake · 0 mi from Dayton3 ramps, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingrentalsDirections and detail →35.49250, -85.00410Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAFrazier ParkChickamauga Lake · 3 mi from Dayton1 rampfishing pieraccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.47640, -84.95840Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVABlythes Ferry / Rhea CountyChickamauga Lake · 5 mi from Dayton1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierDirections and detail →35.41461, -85.01161Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CitySpring City Boat DockWatts Bar Lake · 15 mi from Dayton1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pieraccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.66738, -84.85583

Shoreline access in Rhea County

The Watts Bar Dam tailwater area near Spring City; Dayton’s riverfront and Frazier Park; the Watts Bar Recreation Area; Rhea Springs; Euchee; Piney Point; the Whites Creek embayment road crossings; Laurel-Snow State Natural Area for stream fishing on Richland and Morgan creeks; Cumberland Trail access points on the plateau streams.

What is in there

Fish and limits around Dayton

Water around Dayton holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, striped bass, white bass, walleye, sauger and catfish.

Chickamauga, largemouth 5 per day with a 15-inch minimum; crappie 15 per day with a 10-inch minimum; walleye 5 per day with a 16-inch minimum; catfish unlimited under 34 inches with one over. Watts Bar, paddlefish 1 per day, season open 1 May–15 May, which is a different and shorter window than the 24 April–31 May season on most other Tennessee reservoirs. The Emory River single-hook rule and the Emory paddlefish closure sit in Roane County, upstream. On the Hiwassee Refuge portion, trespassing and fishing are prohibited in embayments and sub-impoundments 15 November–28 February, and boats must stay within the buoyed river channel.

From TWRA’s statewide creel and length limits, last updated 4 August 2026. Water-specific exceptions change, so check the current guide before keeping a fish.

Weather

Dayton fishing weather and wind forecast

Thu, Oct 1 night

61°F

Mostly Clear

Wind 0 mph

0% chance of rain

Thu, Oct 1

88°F

Mostly Sunny

Wind W 0 to 5 mph

0% chance of rain

Thu, Oct 1 night

66°F

Partly Cloudy

Wind S 0 to 5 mph

0% chance of rain

Fri, Oct 2

89°F

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Wind SW 0 to 5 mph

56% chance of rain

Fri, Oct 2 night

68°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Wind NW 0 to 5 mph

56% chance of rain

Sat, Oct 3

81°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

Wind NE 0 to 5 mph

77% chance of rain

National Weather Service forecast, updated 1:06 AM, Thu, Oct 1.

Sun and moon, Fri, Oct 9

Sunrise7:42 AMEDT
Sunset7:14 PMEDT
First light7:16 AMLast light 7:40 PM
Daylight11 hr 32 minSunrise to sunset
MoonWaning crescent3% lit. New moon in 2 days

9 public boat launches in Rhea County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.

Questions people ask

Fishing near Dayton: common questions

Where is the closest place to fish to Dayton?

Dayton Boat Dock on Chickamauga Lake, right in Dayton, Rhea County. It is a boat launch with a fishing pier.

How many fishing spots are near Dayton?

There are 40 public access points within about 30 miles of Dayton, 29 of them boat launches, across 5 named waters.

Can I fish near Dayton without a boat?

Yes. Dayton Boat Dock on Chickamauga Lake has a fishing pier and is right in Dayton. There are 4 piers within range in total.

Do I need a license to fish near Dayton?

Yes, anyone 13 and over. A resident annual combination hunt and fish license is $33, a resident one-day all-species license is $11, and a non-resident three-day all-species license is $40. Tennessee sells no non-resident one-day license. Note the $33 combination license does not cover trout, that needs the $21 supplemental.

What is the best lake near Dayton?

Chickamauga Lake carries the most public access within reach of Dayton, followed by Watts Bar Lake. Which one fishes best depends entirely on the season and what you are after.

Where can I buy bait near Dayton?

Marina stores on the lake are the on-water option. Chattanooga, about 40 minutes south, has large-format outdoor retail… The Dayton gear page has the rest, plus rental and licenses.

What fish can you catch near Dayton?

Mainly largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, striped bass, white bass, walleye, sauger and catfish.

Towns near here

Towns near Dayton

The nearest towns to Dayton with pages of their own. If nothing near Dayton suits, one of these usually does.

20 miles from Dayton · Hamilton CountyFishing near Soddy-DaisyChickamauga Lake, North Chickamauga CreekSee the spots →24 miles from Dayton · McMinn CountyFishing near AthensHiwassee River, Chickamauga LakeSee the spots →24 miles from Dayton · Bradley CountyFishing near ClevelandChickamauga Lake, Hiwassee RiverSee the spots →31 miles from Dayton · Cumberland CountyFishing near CrossvilleWatts Bar Lake, Clear CreekSee the spots →35 miles from Dayton · Hamilton CountyFishing near ChattanoogaNickajack Lake, Chickamauga LakeSee the spots →

Dayton water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie.

Wider net

Rhea County beyond Dayton

Dayton is one town in Rhea County. The county page covers every water inside the county line, including the ones nowhere near Dayton.

Fishing in Rhea County

Keep going

More Dayton water, and who fishes it

Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.

Guides by waterLicence and limits