Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

TWRA's Region 4 - East Tennessee

Reservoir Fisheries Management Program

South Holston Reservoir - General Information

TWRA Region IV Office
3030 Wildlife Way Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-7037 or (800) 332-0900
Updated - July 2009

 

GENERAL:

South Holston is a beautiful, 7,580-acre TVA reservoir located in upper east Tennessee at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Although 1,244-acres of the reservoir are located in Virginia, there is no reciprocal agreement with their wildlife management agency. Anglers must therefore have a Virginia license to fish upstream of the Washington County Park.

The reservoir has relatively low productivity and water clarity is normally greater than in other Tennessee reservoirs. The 168-miles of shoreline are only partially developed and much of the reservoir is bordered by the Cherokee National Forest. This abundance of public land makes South Holston a haven for campers and bank anglers. Winter draw-downs can be severe and water levels fall 40-feet below summer pool during some years.

Quality smallmouth and largemouth bass fisheries are present. Walleye, rainbow trout, black crappie, and catfish are other popular game fish. The forage base is made up of a mixture of gizzard shad, threadfin shad, alewife, bluegill, and various minnows.

FISH HABITAT ENHANCEMENT:

A variety of fish attractors have been constructed over the years in an attempt to concentrate fish for anglers. These include brush piles which are used by many game fish and stake beds that are primarily for concentrating crappie. Attractors work well, but must be refurbished occasionally to maintain their effectiveness.

Each year, the TWRA and the Sullivan County Parks Department host an angler workday. This is a productive method of creating numerous fish attractors and usually takes place in February. If you are interested in helping, contact Russell Young at (423) 587-7037 or Observation Knob Park at (423) 878-1881.

Bald cypress plantings have been added in several areas to create long lasting habitat. Benches designed to provide smallmouth bass spawning habitat have been built, but there have been problems with anglers using the wooden planks as firewood. If you see someone destroying these or any other TWRA installed habitat structure, please call your local wildlife officer.

BLACK BASS:

Although South Holston is not highly fertile and cannot support the density fish like more fertile reservoirs such as Boone, a good percentage of its largemouth and smallmouth bass are of quality-size. The bass populations are also consistently well balanced and in good health.

The daily creel limit is five largemouth and/or smallmouth bass in any combination. There is no length limit for largemouth, but there is a new 15-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass that took effect on June 26, 2009.

Spotted (Kentucky) bass have yet to be found in the reservoir. This species rarely reaches quality size in Tennessee reservoirs and they compete with the more quality size smallmouth bass for habitat and food. They are becoming abundant in Watauga and anglers should be careful not to inadvertently transfer them to South Holston.

CRAPPIE:

Crappie fishing has improved, due in part to the creel limit set in the mid-90s. Black crappie are more abundant than are white crappie and the daily creel limit is 15-crappie in any combination with a minimum length limit of 10-inches.

RAINBOW and BROWN TROUT:

South Holston's water is cool enough and has adequate dissolved oxygen throughout much of the year to support trout. Dissolved oxygen can sometimes fall below optimum levels during the summer, limiting the success of the fishery. Approximately 10% of the effort expended by South Holston anglers in 2007 was for trout.

There is no size limit for trout on South Holston. There is a daily creel limit of seven trout, only two of which can be lake trout. Beginning on March 1, 2010, the trout season will be open year-round.

WALLEYE:

South Holston is well suited for a successful walleye fishery and they have been stocked by the TWRA since 1986. The Virginia Fish and Game Commission also regularly stocks walleye. The daily creel limit is five, 18-inch or longer walleye.

WHITE BASS:

White bass are a schooling fish that can provide some great fishing action. Like walleye, white bass make spawning runs up the South Fork of the Holston River. Their populations can fluctuate greatly because it is a short lived species and environmental conditions play a major role in the success of any given spawning season. The creel limit is 15-fish per day with no size restriction.

FISHING TIPS:

Largemouth bass - Spring: Spinner baits, buzz baits, lizards, 4-6 inch worms and Flukes, small Shad Raps, Bandit crankbaits and stick baits. The flooded willows in the creeks and in the backs of coves can be very productive. Summer: Good night fishing with worms and lizards.

Smallmouth bass - Spring: Fish clay and broken-shale banks with spinner baits, lizards, worms, live bait, small crankbaits, float-n-fly, and suspended flukes. Secondary points are prime smallmouth holding spots. Summer: Smallmouth move to deeper water and this is a good time for night fishing with various worm rigs and pig-n-jig.

Crappie - February through November: Any kind of structure is productive. Use small flies tipped with minnows, small crankbaits, grubs, and spinners are recommended. Jacobs Creek would be a good place to start any crappie fishing trip.

Walleye - Spring: Fish at night with Long Bill Rebels, Rapalas and Doll Flies. Flooded tree tops and black willows hold many walleye. Since both lake and river spawning fish have been stocked, some walleye make a spawning run to the headwaters of the reservoir . Good fishing takes place as far upstream as Alvarado. Standard river walleye fishing tactics (grubs, flies and minnows) should work.

Channel catfish - Summer: Limb lines and jug-fishing with shad or bluegill work well.

Trout - Spring: Bank fishing with corn or salmon eggs is productive. Summer: Troll spoons at 30- to 50-feet.

White bass - January through April: White bass make a spring spawning run to the headwaters of the reservoir. White spinners (Roostertails), grubs, and small flies are all effective. Summer: Good white bass fishing can be found on the lower end of the reservoir with the same tackle.

 

South Holston Length at Age

.
.