95 Counties · 1,002 Public Access Points · 78 Lakes and RiversTennessee state record fish
Tennessee Fishing SpotsEvery County, Every Town
Spot SearchGear SearchLakes & RiversFishAll Fishing SpotsCountiesTownsGuides & ChartersTournamentsState RecordsLicence & LimitsEmail Updates

Boat Launch · Davidson County

Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

6 miles from Nashville.

Get driving directionsAll Davidson County spots

With a guide

Guides and charters near Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

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

Billy Flatt · Nashville

Nashville Fishing Charters

Stripers, hybrids, crappie, largemouth, smallmouthCall 615-812-2091nashvillefishingcharters.com

Capt. Brian and two guides · Nashville

Fish Nashville

Striper, hybrid, catfish, crappie, bass, troutCall 615-200-0618fishnashville.com

Mark Travis · Nashville area

Crappie Guide Service

White and black crappieCall 615-542-9800crappieguideservice.com

All 6 guides on Nashville lakes and the Cumberland

What to bring

Tackle for Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

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:

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

How to get there

Getting to Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

Cheatham Lake Boat Launch is a public boat launch on Cheatham Lake in Davidson County, Tennessee.

TWRA holds no written directions for Cheatham Lake Boat Launch. Use the coordinates below, which come straight from the state’s access record and drop you on the access point itself rather than on the nearest town.

Cheatham Lake Boat Launch is 6.3 miles west of Nashville, the nearest town with its own page here. The closest other public access is Cleece’s Ferry Annex Road on Cumberland River, a few hundred yards to the east. For bait, Cumberland Transit in Nashville is about 4 miles away.

Coordinates 36.14327, -86.89092

Open in Google MapsSee nearby spots on the mapFishing near Nashville
Aerial view of Cheatham Lake Boat Launch
Cheatham Lake Boat Launch from above. The pin marks the access point. USGS aerial imagery.

What is there

What you will find at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

Fee not listed, call ahead 1 out of 5 Facilities 1 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 Cheatham Lake Boat Launch. It is the same data the state uses, not a guess from a photograph.

Bank and water access

TWRA lists Cheatham Lake Boat Launch as public access without built facilities. No ramp, no pier, no restroom, park, walk in and fish.

Not recorded here: boat ramp, fishing pier, canoe and kayak, restrooms, camping. Worth knowing before a long drive with the family.

What you can catch

Fish you can catch at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

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

largemouth basscrappiewhite basswalleyesaugercatfishrainbow trout

This is the Cumberland River as it runs through downtown Nashville and on to Ashland City, 16 free ramps, two marinas, and the winter sauger bite below Old Hickory and Percy Priest dams is the standout.

Everything on Cheatham LakeFind a local fishing guide

What you can keep

Fishing limits at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

What you can keep from Cheatham Lake at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch. TWRA sets 3 rules just for Cheatham Lake. They replace the statewide limit for those fish. Everything else follows the statewide limit.

FishDaily limitLengthWhere or when
Largemouth bass5 black bass combined14 in minimumIncludes the Stones River up to J. Percy Priest Dam
Smallmouth bass5 black bass combined18 in minimumCheatham Lake rule
Crappie3010 in minimumCheatham Lake rule
White bass15No minimumStatewide
Walleye516 in minimumStatewide
Sauger1015 in minimumStatewide
Channel catfishNo limit under 34 inOnly one over 34 inStatewide
Rainbow trout7 trout combinedNo minimumStatewide

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

21 public boat launches in Davidson County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.

What it looks like

Cheatham Lake around Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

What the water at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch actually looks like. Drag or swipe through. 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 domainJ. 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 3.0J. 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 →Pub. by Southern Latex Co., Nashville, Tenn. “Ti / Public domain

Next one along

More Cheatham Lake access near Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

The closest other public access points on Cheatham Lake, measured straight line from Cheatham Lake Boat Launch. Each one opens its own page with directions.

Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEShelby Park Boat Ramp9.3 miles east1 ramp, 2 lanesDirections and detail →36.16517, -86.72782Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACELock Two Park Boat Ramp13 miles north-eastI-40 to Briley Pkwy North, to McGavock pike exit, then to Pennington Bend River1 ramp, 1 laneaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.24392, -86.70346Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACENeely’s Bend Boat Ramp13 miles eastI-40 to exit 221, OH Blvd to Neely’s Bend Rd1 ramp, 1 laneaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.19458, -86.66078Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CityRiverbluff13 miles north-west1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.26890, -87.07420Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandRiverview Marina (formerly Ashland City Dock)14 miles north-west1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.26880, -87.07650Free3 out of 5facilitiesMarina · Private LandHarpeth Shoals Marina14 miles north-west1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →36.27707, -87.07307
All 14 access points on Cheatham Lake

Cheatham Lake Boat Launch water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill.

Other water close by

Other fishing near Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

Public access on other water within 20 miles of Cheatham Lake Boat Launch, including Cumberland River, Whites Creek and Harpeth River. Handy when the wind is wrong on Cheatham Lake or the ramp is busy.

Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECleece’s Ferry Annex RoadCumberland River · a few hundred yards eastCharlotte 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 BlvdCumberland River · a few hundred yards north-westBriley 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 MarinaCumberland River · 1.1 miles northDirections and detail →36.15840, -86.88540Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesMarinaCommodore Yacht ClubCumberland River · 2.0 miles westDirections and detail →36.13390, -86.92510Fee not listed2 out of 5facilitiesBoat LaunchHartman ParkWhites Creek · 5.9 miles north-eastcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.21099, -86.82688Free1.5 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · OtherHarpeth State Park, Newsom’s MillHarpeth River · 7.3 miles south-westExit 192 McCrory Ln. Turn right on Newsome Mill Rd, cross under one-lane tunnel, turn rightcanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.08032, -86.99610

Bait on the way

Bait and tackle near Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

The closest shops to Cheatham Lake Boat Launch that this site has checked. Cumberland Transit in Nashville is nearest, about 4 miles away. Call ahead in winter, when smaller shops cut their hours.

Nashville · about 4 milesCumberland TransitTackle and bait for Davidson County water. Call ahead out of season, winter hours are short.Directions and phone →Nashville · about 5 milesFly SouthFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Nashville · about 15 milesStarkey’s Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →
All bait and tackle in Davidson County

Your turn

Rate and review Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

1. Tap your stars

2. Add a few words if you like

What visitors say

Loading visitor ratings

Common questions

Questions about Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

Can you launch a boat at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch?

No trailered ramp is recorded at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch. It is listed as bank or pier access rather than a launch.

Do you need a fishing licence at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch?

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 Cheatham Lake Boat Launch?

Cheatham Lake holds largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, walleye, sauger, catfish and rainbow trout. Seasons and creel limits are set by TWRA and change, so check them before you keep anything.

Where can I buy bait near Cheatham Lake Boat Launch?

Cumberland Transit in Nashville is the closest bait and tackle shop this site lists, about 4 miles from Cheatham Lake Boat Launch. Fly South in Nashville is next, about 5 miles away.

Is there a restroom at Cheatham Lake Boat Launch?

No restroom is recorded here. Most TWRA ramps have none, so plan for that on a long day.

What town is closest to Cheatham Lake Boat Launch?

Nashville, about 6 miles away. Nashville has its own page on this site listing every access point within about 30 miles of the middle of town.

Where to next

Around Cheatham Lake Boat Launch

Cheatham Lake Boat Launch is one access point. These pages cover the rest of the water and the rest of the county.

The whole waterFishing Cheatham Lake14 public access points across 3 counties.See the spots →County guideFishing in Davidson CountyEvery public spot in Davidson County, mapped out.See the spots →Full listDavidson County spot listAll 43 access points in the county.See the spots →GearBait and tackle near NashvilleShops, rentals and where to buy a licence locally.Find gear →Nearest townFishing near NashvilleEverything within about 30 miles of Nashville, closest first.See the spots →

Keep going

Fishing around Cheatham Lake Boat Launch, 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 Cheatham Lake rather than a booking desk. Licences and limits are one click away too.

Guides by waterLicence and limits