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Franklin · Williamson County

Fishing Near Franklin, Tennessee

Harpeth River, J. Percy Priest Lake, Cumberland River. Every public launch and pier within about 30 minutes of Franklin, and where to buy what you forgot on the way.

Find fishing spots126 public access points within 35 milesFind gear & bait9 bait and tackle shops within 40 miles

Closest first

Every public access within reach of Franklin

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

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

Harpeth River

Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing SitePinkerton Park0 mi from Franklin · Williamson Co.Directions and detail →35.92195, -86.86251Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesFishing SiteHarpeth River Fishing Access1 mi from Franklin · Williamson Co.Directions and detail →35.90923, -86.85624Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · OtherHarpeth State Park, Newsom’s Mill13 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Exit 192 McCrory Ln. Turn right on Newsome Mill Rd, cross under one-lane tunnel, turn rightcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.08032, -86.99610Free1 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · OtherHarpeth State Park, Hidden Lake Access Area14 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to McCrory Lane exit, head toward Pegram on leftDirections and detail →36.08803, -87.02456Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TDOTHighway 249 Bridge17 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.HWY 70 to E. Kingston Springs Road (Hwy 249)canoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.10732, -87.07283Free2 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · CityKingston Springs State Park18 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.On Pinnacle Road off HWY 70canoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10073, -87.10573Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · CityL.L. Burns Park18 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.Off Pinnacle Road off HWY 70restroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10238, -87.10889Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TDOTHighway 70 Access19 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.HWY 70 and Cedar Hill Roadcanoe / kayak landingrentalsDirections and detail →36.12382, -87.09842Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TDECGossett19 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.Off Cedar Hill Roadcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.13511, -87.10051Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesTDECNarrows of the Harpeth21 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.Take Narrows of Harpeth Road off of Cedar Hill RoadDirections and detail →36.14913, -87.11771Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TDECHarpeth River State Park21 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.West of Nashville, take HWY 70, Left on Cedar Hill Road, gravel bar below bridgecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.15290, -87.11917

Cumberland River

Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesMarinaCommodore Yacht Club15 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Directions and detail →36.13390, -86.92510Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECleece’s Ferry Annex Road15 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Charlotte Pike to Annex Rd (on left)1 ramp, 1 laneaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.14318, -86.89036Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECleece’s Ferry Old Hickory Blvd15 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Briley Pkwy to Hwy 12 ashland City exit. Head toward Ashland City, take left on Old Hickory Blvd to1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.14416, -86.89268Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesMarinaRock Harbor Marina16 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Directions and detail →36.15840, -86.88540

Cheatham Lake

Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesBoat LaunchCheatham Lake Boat Launch15 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Directions and detail →36.14327, -86.89092Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEShelby Park Boat Ramp18 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.16517, -86.72782

J. Percy Priest Lake

Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACEHamilton Creek18 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewart’s Ferry Rd, then to Hamilton Creekrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10471, -86.62426Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · USACEPercy Priest Marina and Yacht Club19 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 3 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →36.11160, -86.62270Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEHamilton Creek Boat Ramp19 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.Off of Bell Rd turn onto Hamilton Creek Rd, go straight to very back1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.11039, -86.61809Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaFour Corners Boat & Marina19 mi from Franklin · 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, -86.56660Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEHurricane Creek19 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.04972, -86.56239Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACESmith’s Spring Park19 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10970, -86.60940Launch fee2 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACEElm Hill Recreation Area19 mi from Franklin · 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 5facilitiesMarina · USACEHamilton Creek Marina20 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.12750, -86.62140Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEAnderson Boat Ramp20 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.10610, -86.59500Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEElm Hill Park Access20 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13030, -86.62080Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaElm Hill Marina20 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewarts Ferry, proceed to marina2 ramps, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13370, -86.62230Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECook Recreation Area21 mi from Franklin · 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, -86.59539Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACEJ. Percy Priest Resource Center21 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to Stewart’s Ferry exit, Bell Rdaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15383, -86.62129Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACELong Hunter Boat Ramp21 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.08990, -86.54580Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACENashville Shores side Percy Priest Dam22 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to Damaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15892, -86.61488Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat LaunchPoole’s Knob Campground22 mi from Franklin · Rutherford Co.Directions and detail →36.05368, -86.51889Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACESeven Points Rec. Area Campground22 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd to South New Hope Road1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →36.13080, -86.57460

Turnbull Creek

Free2 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · CityUlrich Landing Park19 mi from Franklin · Cheatham Co.Near Craggie Hopecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.09618, -87.14135

Whites Creek

Fee not listed2 out of 5facilitiesBoat LaunchHartman Park20 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.canoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.21099, -86.82688

Duck River

Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRACarpenter Bridge Access21 mi from Franklin · Maury Co.65-S to Exit 46, East on Hwy 99 then right on Carpenter Bridge Rd, Access on Right1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.61824, -86.86644

Stones River

Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACEMetro Park side below Percy Priest Dam21 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to damrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15760, -86.62084Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CityHeartland Ramp21 mi from Franklin · 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, -86.66500Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACEBelow Percy Priest East Side21 mi from Franklin · Davidson Co.I-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to Dodson ChapelDirections and detail →36.15854, -86.61891

What to bring

What to bring fishing near Franklin

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

Measured from town

Where to fish near Franklin

The water within reach of Franklin is J. Percy Priest Lake, Harpeth River, Cumberland River and 5 more.

Everything on this page is sorted by straight-line distance from Franklin, not by which county it sits in. Several of the closest spots to Franklin 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 Franklin

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 Lake, TennesseeJ. Percy Priest LakeOpen the J. Percy Priest Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0Cumberland River, TennesseeCumberland RiverOpen the Cumberland River page →U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not s / Public domainStones River, TennesseeStones RiverOpen the Stones River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0Duck River, TennesseeDuck RiverOpen the Duck River page →SBaker43 / CC BY-SA 3.0J. Percy Priest Lake, TennesseeJ. Percy Priest LakeOpen the J. Percy Priest Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0Cumberland River, TennesseeCumberland RiverOpen the Cumberland River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0

No boat

Bank fishing near Franklin

1 public fishing pier within reach of Franklin. No boat needed for any of them.

Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECook Recreation AreaJ. Percy Priest Lake · 21 mi from FranklinI-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 Williamson County

Eastern Flank Battlefield Park, Franklin (the winter trout stretch); Pinkerton Park, Franklin; Fieldstone Park; Meeting of the Waters; Crockett Park and Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, Brentwood; the Franklin greenway system along the Harpeth; Harpeth River bridge crossings on Hwy 96 and Hwy 46. Most of the river’s bank is private, stay in the parks and the greenway.

What is in there

Fish and limits around Franklin

Water around Franklin holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, rock bass and channel catfish.

No Williamson County water carries a creel or length exception, statewide limits apply throughout. Black bass 5/day with no minimum length on the Harpeth and its tributaries; rock bass fall under the statewide sunfish rules; crappie 15/day at a 10″ minimum; catfish unlimited under 34″ with one over. Statewide trout rules apply to the Harpeth’s winter stocking at Eastern Flank Battlefield Park: 7 trout per day, no minimum length. There is no protected slot on Harpeth smallmouth, unlike the East Tennessee rivers.

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

Franklin fishing weather and wind forecast

Thu, Oct 1 night

65°F

Partly Cloudy

Wind SSE 5 mph

0% chance of rain

Thu, Oct 1

93°F

Mostly Sunny

Wind S 5 to 10 mph

0% chance of rain

Thu, Oct 1 night

71°F

Partly Cloudy

Wind S 5 to 10 mph

7% chance of rain

Fri, Oct 2

88°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Wind WSW 5 to 10 mph

70% chance of rain

Fri, Oct 2 night

66°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Wind NNE 0 to 5 mph

59% chance of rain

Sat, Oct 3

78°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Wind NE 5 mph

69% chance of rain

National Weather Service forecast, updated 6:51 PM, Wed, Sep 30.

Sun and moon, Thu, Oct 8

Sunrise6:49 AMCDT
Sunset6:23 PMCDT
First light6:23 AMLast light 6:48 PM
Daylight11 hr 34 minSunrise to sunset
MoonWaning crescent8% lit. New moon in 3 days

Franklin water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill.

Questions people ask

Fishing near Franklin: common questions

Where is the closest place to fish to Franklin?

Pinkerton Park on Harpeth River, right in Franklin, Williamson County. It is a fishing site.

How many fishing spots are near Franklin?

There are 40 public access points within about 30 miles of Franklin, 16 of them boat launches, across 8 named waters.

Can I fish near Franklin without a boat?

Yes. Cook Recreation Area on J. Percy Priest Lake has a fishing pier and is about 21 miles from Franklin.

Do I need a license to fish near Franklin?

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 Franklin?

J. Percy Priest Lake carries the most public access within reach of Franklin, followed by Harpeth River. Which one fishes best depends entirely on the season and what you are after.

Where can I buy bait near Franklin?

– Tennessee on the Fly, 7406 Libby Ln, Fairview, (406) 546-1463., Hooked and Hunted Outfitters, 1696 Fairview Blvd, Fairview, (615) 266-8188., Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1915 Mallory Ln, Franklin, (615) 435-8341., Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2000 Mallory Ln, Franklin, (615) 778-0595., REI, 261 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, (615) 376-4248., Sun & Ski Sports, 545 Cool Springs Blvd Ste 190, Franklin, (615) 628-0289., Clark Marine Sales LLC, 420 Old Peytonsville Rd, Franklin, (615) 259-3394., No dedicated live-bait shop was verified in Williamson County, a real gap worth stating. Nearest specialist tackle: Bar Tackle, 3203 Hillside Dr, Nashville, (615) 269-8226. The Franklin gear page has the rest, plus rental and licenses.

What fish can you catch near Franklin?

Mainly largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, rock bass and channel catfish.

Towns near here

Towns near Franklin

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

9 miles from Franklin · Williamson CountyFishing near BrentwoodJ. Percy Priest Lake, Cumberland RiverSee the spots →17 miles from Franklin · Davidson CountyFishing near NashvilleJ. Percy Priest Lake, Cheatham LakeSee the spots →20 miles from Franklin · Rutherford CountyFishing near SmyrnaJ. Percy Priest Lake, West Fork Stones RiverSee the spots →23 miles from Franklin · Maury CountyFishing near ColumbiaDuck River, Harpeth RiverSee the spots →27 miles from Franklin · Wilson CountyFishing near Mount JulietOld Hickory Lake, J. Percy Priest LakeSee the spots →

Statewide limits: 5 black bass, 15 crappie at 10 inches, 2 stripers at 15 inches, 7 trout.

Wider net

Williamson County beyond Franklin

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

Fishing in Williamson County

Keep going

More Franklin 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