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Gear checklist · 10 items

What to Bring Walleye and Sauger Fishing in Tennessee

Sauger stack up below Pickwick, Cheatham and Old Hickory dams from December to March.

The checklistAll gear checklists

The checklist

Walleye and Sauger gear checklist

Sauger stack up below Pickwick, Cheatham and Old Hickory dams from December to March. Walleye run the rivers above Dale Hollow, Center Hill and Douglas in late winter. Jigs and minnows in current, bottom bouncers in the lakes.

RodSt. Croix Premier 6 ft 6 in medium spinning rodSensitive enough to feel a sauger pick up a jig in 20 feet of current.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
ReelShimano Sedona 2500 spinning reelDependable and smooth for the price.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
LineSeaguar InvizX fluorocarbon, 8 lbLow stretch to feel the bite and set a hook deep.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
JigNorthland Fire-Ball jigs, 1/4 to 1/2 ozTip with a minnow and drag it through the tailwater eddies.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
PlasticBerkley Gulp Alive Minnow, 3 inWhen live minnows are not an option.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
RigBottom bouncers and Lindy rigsTroll the lake flats in May and June.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Jigging baitRapala Jigging RapVertical over deep structure in winter.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
CrankbaitRapala Original Floater, 11 cmTroll it on the river channels at night in spring.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
LightHeadlamp with a red modeWalleye bite after dark; red light keeps your night vision.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
NetFrabill Conservation Series netWalleye teeth and rubber mesh get along.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

These are affiliate links. Buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it is how the site stays free.

Where to use it

Tennessee water for walleye and sauger

39 lakes and rivers on this site hold walleye or sauger. These are a few; each page lists every public access point.

Where to use itBarren ForkPublic access, limits and what else swims in Barren Fork.See the spots →Where to use itCalf Killer RiverPublic access, limits and what else swims in Calf Killer River.See the spots →Where to use itCenter Hill LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Center Hill Lake.See the spots →Where to use itCheatham LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Cheatham Lake.See the spots →Where to use itCherokee LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Cherokee Lake.See the spots →Where to use itChickamauga LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Chickamauga Lake.See the spots →

Bigger purchases

Gear compared for walleye and sauger trips

The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.

Fish Finders
BudgetGarmin Striker 4$120MiddleHumminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N$700TopGarmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 bundle$1,500
Compare all 6 →
Trolling Motors
BudgetMinn Kota Endura C2 30$150MiddleMotorGuide Xi3 55 lb Freshwater GPS$1,150TopMinn Kota Ultrex QUEST 90/115$3,500
Compare all 6 →
Lithium Marine Batteries
BudgetLiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4$250MiddleBattle Born 12V 100Ah$850TopDakota Lithium 36V 63Ah$1,700
Compare all 6 →
All gear compared

Other checklists

Gear for other Tennessee fishing

Largemouth BassSmallmouth BassCrappieBluegill and PanfishCatfishStriper and HybridTroutMuskyKayak and Float TripBank and Pier Fishing

Common questions

Walleye and Sauger gear questions

What do I need to go walleye and sauger fishing in Tennessee?

The 10 items on this page: St. Croix Premier 6 ft 6 in medium spinning rod, Shimano Sedona 2500 spinning reel, Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon, 8 lb, Northland Fire-Ball jigs, 1/4 to 1/2 oz, Berkley Gulp Alive Minnow, 3 in, Bottom bouncers and Lindy rigs and the rest of the list above. A Tennessee fishing license for anyone 13 or older.

What rod for walleye and sauger?

St. Croix Premier 6 ft 6 in medium spinning rod. Sensitive enough to feel a sauger pick up a jig in 20 feet of current.

What are the best lures or baits for walleye and sauger in Tennessee?

Northland Fire-Ball jigs, 1/4 to 1/2 oz, Berkley Gulp Alive Minnow, 3 in, Rapala Jigging Rap, Rapala Original Floater, 11 cm. The list above says when each one works.

Where do I catch sauger in Tennessee?

In the tailwaters below the main river dams from December to March: Pickwick, Cheatham, Old Hickory and Cordell Hull. A jig and minnow on the bottom in the current.

What is the best walleye lure for Tennessee rivers?

A jig tipped with a minnow in late winter, then a floating Rapala trolled at night as the water warms in April.

How much does a walleye and sauger setup cost?

A rod, reel, line and the first three or four baits on this list is a modest start; the rest can be added a trip at a time. Prices are on Amazon, and bait shops in the county you fish carry most of it too.

Are these affiliate links?

Yes. Each link goes to Amazon with this site’s tag. It costs you nothing extra and pays for the site. Nothing on the list was chosen for commission; it is what works on Tennessee water.

Can I buy this gear locally instead?

Yes. Every county page on this site lists the bait shops, marinas and big box stores that carry tackle, with phone numbers and directions.

Keep going

More Tennessee 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