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Jefferson City · Jefferson County

Fishing Near Jefferson City, Tennessee

Cherokee Lake, Douglas Lake, Holston River. Every public launch and pier within about 30 minutes of Jefferson City, and where to buy what you forgot on the way.

Find fishing spots167 public access points within 35 milesFind gear & bait20 bait and tackle shops within 40 miles

Closest first

Every public access within reach of Jefferson City

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

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

Cherokee Lake

Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAByrd Spring Branch1 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.2133 N Sizer Ave, Jefferson City, TN 377601 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.13670, -83.49520Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVAMossy Creek1 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.North on Russell Ave in Jefferson City. Left on Cherokee dr-dead endcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.13170, -83.50660Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandBlack Oak Dock2 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.I-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, -83.48630Free4.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVATVA Cherokee Dam3 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.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 right3 ramps, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15580, -83.51350Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAOakland Hollow Access Area4 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.15061 Lakeshore Dr, Rutledge, TN 378611 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.17720, -83.48830Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesAttention · TVATVA Lowe Drive6 mi from Jefferson City · Hamblen Co.Turn off of Cedar Hill Rd onto Lowe Drivecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.19181, -83.43105Free4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandCedar Hill6 mi from Jefferson City · Hamblen Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.19174, -83.43090Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesMarinaCedar Hill Boat Dock6 mi from Jefferson City · Hamblen Co.Directions and detail →36.19535, -83.42771Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAGrainger County Park6 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.12586 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 Springs7 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.Follow 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, -83.46300Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TDECPanther Creek State Park7 mi from Jefferson City · Hamblen Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsDirections and detail →36.20720, -83.41980Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · Private LandWA-NI Village Boat Dock7 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.Turn onto Wa-Ni Village Road1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.22190, -83.45160Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAGreenlee Campground8 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.23450, -83.43210Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVALambdin Branch9 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.10394 Lakeshore Dr, Rutledge, TN 378611 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.24070, -83.43700Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · Private LandCardinal Cove Resort, Inc.11 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.26190, -83.41410Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesMarinaCard’nal Cove Resort11 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.Directions and detail →36.26233, -83.41393Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAKidwells Ridge11 mi from Jefferson City · Hamblen Co.1200 Lakeway Rd, Morristown, TN 378141 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.24530, -83.37610Free2 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVATVA Holt’s Church11 mi from Jefferson City · Hamblen Co.Turn off Lakeway Rd onto Holts Church Rdcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.24595, -83.36296Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · MarinaGilmore Dock, Inc.12 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.Turn onto Gilmore Dock Lane off HWY 374 (Lakeshore Rd), just West of Helton Rd1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.27020, -83.39370Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVATwin Churches12 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.499 Twin Church Rd, Bean Station, TN 377081 rampcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.27360, -83.37810

Holston River

Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVACherokee Dam Tailwaters3 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.US 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 Park7 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.Turn 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 Ferry8 mi from Jefferson City · Grainger Co.1491 Nance Ferry Rd, Blaine, TN 377091 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.12776, -83.63887

Douglas Lake

Free5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVADandridge Access9 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.Public Dr, Dandridge, TN1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.00730, -83.41540Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandThe Point Marina9 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.I-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 Access10 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.Directions and detail →35.98327, -83.46488Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · TVAShady Grove (Parcel 1)10 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.Hwy 139, Dandridge, TNDirections and detail →35.98224, -83.47074Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVAShady Grove (TVA)10 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.803 Flora Rd, Dandridge, TN 377252 ramps, 1 laneDirections and detail →35.98128, -83.46774Free2 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVASpring Creek10 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.Oak Grove Rd, Dandridge, TN1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.03610, -83.35100Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandMountain Harbor Inn10 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.From I-40, exit 412 then SE on Deep Springs Rd for about 3 mi, turn left on HWY 139E and go about 2.5 mi, access area on rightrentalsDirections and detail →35.97790, -83.48370Launch fee2.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandCowboy’s Bar and Grill at Lakeside10 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.I-40, exit 412, South on Deep Springs Rd for 2.8 mi, left on TN 139 then 0.1 mil, ramp on rightrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.97100, -83.50190Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVASwanns Chapel11 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.00180, -83.37170Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandSwann’s Marina11 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.I-40, exit 424, right to HWY 25/70, left, marina 1/2 mile on right2 ramps, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.03560, -83.33180Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVANina11 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.Hwy 113, White Pine, TN1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.05336, -83.31757Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandFanchers Campground11 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.I-40, exit 424, south on TN 113 for 0.1 mi, left on US 25 / 70, 1 mi over bridge, left then under Interstate, campground on left1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.03910, -83.32640Fee not listed2 out of 5facilitiesBoat LaunchDouglas Dam Campground12 mi from Jefferson City · Sevier Co.1 rampDirections and detail →35.95867, -83.53445Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaMountain Cove Marina12 mi from Jefferson City · Sevier Co.Take Douglas Dam Rd to the dam, Marina at Dam1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.95220, -83.53680Launch fee3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · Private LandInspiration Point, Inc.12 mi from Jefferson City · Jefferson Co.I-40, exit 417, TN 92 2.1 mi, right on Gay St, over bridge 4.4 mi, right on Muddy Creek Rd, 1 mi, left on Childress Rd, 0.2 mi, right on Inspiration Point Rd1 ramp, >3 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.95870, -83.41290

French Broad River

Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesFishing SiteFrench Broad River Fishing Access11 mi from Jefferson City · Sevier Co.Directions and detail →35.96141, -83.54108Free4 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVADouglas Tailwater Access12 mi from Jefferson City · Sevier Co.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.95871, -83.54715

What to bring

What to bring fishing near Jefferson City

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 Jefferson City

The water within reach of Jefferson City is Cherokee Lake, Douglas Lake, Holston River and 1 more.

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

Photographs of the lakes and rivers on this page. Drag or swipe for more. 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 3.0Holston River, TennesseeHolston RiverOpen the Holston River page →Brian Stansberry / 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 4.0

No boat

Bank fishing near Jefferson City

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

Free5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TVADandridge AccessDouglas Lake · 9 mi from Jefferson CityPublic Dr, Dandridge, TN1 ramp, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.00730, -83.41540

Shoreline access in Jefferson County

Dandridge Access fishing pier (TVA/TWRA), the main free pier on Douglas; Shady Grove Access and Shady Grove Parcel 1, both TWRA-managed fishing sites; Twin Cove Access Area near White Pine; Swans Bridge on Roundhouse Rd (river mile 54.4); Mossy Creek in downtown Jefferson City, the county’s walk-up trout water in winter; Cherokee Dam Tailwaters below the dam; Moon Hill Bridge.

What is in there

Fish and limits around Jefferson City

Water around Jefferson City holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, rock bass, striped bass, white bass, walleye and sauger.

Douglas Lake, from 1 June through 30 September only ONE black bass over 16 in may be kept. That seasonal rule is specific to Douglas and is exactly the kind of thing competing pages omit. Cherokee Lake, smallmouth 1 per day at an 18 in minimum from 1 June to 15 October; paddlefish snagging permitted 1 through 15 April only, 1 per day; boat fishing closed near Cherokee Dam from 1 July to 15 September. Cherokee Dam tailwater (Holston River), stocked November through April.

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

Jefferson City fishing weather and wind forecast

Thu, Oct 1 night

57°F

Mostly Clear

Wind 0 mph

0% chance of rain

Thu, Oct 1

87°F

Sunny

Wind W 0 to 5 mph

0% chance of rain

Thu, Oct 1 night

62°F

Mostly Clear

Wind 0 mph

0% chance of rain

Fri, Oct 2

87°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Wind SW 0 to 10 mph

43% chance of rain

Fri, Oct 2 night

66°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Wind NW 0 to 5 mph

64% chance of rain

Sat, Oct 3

78°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

Wind NE 0 to 5 mph

76% chance of rain

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

Sun and moon, Fri, Oct 9

Sunrise7:36 AMEDT
Sunset7:08 PMEDT
First light7:10 AMLast light 7:33 PM
Daylight11 hr 31 minSunrise to sunset
MoonWaning crescent3% lit. New moon in 2 days

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

Questions people ask

Fishing near Jefferson City: common questions

Where is the closest place to fish to Jefferson City?

Byrd Spring Branch on Cherokee Lake, about a mile from Jefferson City in Jefferson County. It is a boat launch.

How many fishing spots are near Jefferson City?

There are 40 public access points within about 30 miles of Jefferson City, 23 of them boat launches, across 4 named waters.

Can I fish near Jefferson City without a boat?

Yes. Dandridge Access on Douglas Lake has a fishing pier and is about 9 miles from Jefferson City.

Do I need a license to fish near Jefferson City?

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 Jefferson City?

Cherokee Lake carries the most public access within reach of Jefferson City, followed by Douglas Lake. Which one fishes best depends entirely on the season and what you are after.

Where can I buy bait near Jefferson City?

Cherokee Bait & Tackle, Jefferson City. The Jefferson City gear page has the rest, plus rental and licenses.

What fish can you catch near Jefferson City?

Mainly largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, rock bass, striped bass, white bass, walleye and sauger.

Towns near here

Towns near Jefferson City

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

9 miles from Jefferson City · Jefferson CountyFishing near DandridgeDouglas Lake, French Broad RiverSee the spots →13 miles from Jefferson City · Hamblen CountyFishing near MorristownCherokee LakeSee the spots →18 miles from Jefferson City · Sevier CountyFishing near SeviervilleDouglas Lake, French Broad RiverSee the spots →20 miles from Jefferson City · Cocke CountyFishing near NewportDouglas Lake, French Broad RiverSee the spots →23 miles from Jefferson City · Sevier CountyFishing near Pigeon ForgeDouglas Lake, French Broad RiverSee the spots →

Jefferson City water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill.

Wider net

Jefferson County beyond Jefferson City

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

Fishing in Jefferson County

With a guide

Fishing near Jefferson City with a guide

Local captains who run the water near Jefferson City are listed on the guides page with their own phone numbers. You call and book with them directly.

Tennessee guides by water

Keep going

More Jefferson City 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