Fishing on
Old Hickory Lake
There have been numerous questions and concerns raised since the May 2010 flood on what affect it played on the fishery here at Old Hickory Lake. However, after a brief phone conversation with TWRA’s Region II Fishery Program Manager Todd St. John, the immediate future for the state of the Old Hickory Lake fishery is looking bright. No matter what game fish you seek out, there are several reasons to be optimistic about the coming years.
Both crappie and largemouth bass had strong spawn classes relative to the coming year’s harvestable rate. What does this mean? Well, largemouth bass take about four years to become a harvestable fish. Therefore, as we approach future years, we should see an abundant harvestable rate after successful 2007 and 2008 spawns. And with crappie having a faster growth rate combined with the good recent spawns, crappie fishermen have plenty to look forward to as well.
The following information on the stocking program on Old Hickory Lake should raise plenty of optimism for the near future. In 2010, there were 146,000 walleye and 63,000 sauger stocked. Then in 2011, 362,000 striped bass were stocked. This helped to raise the Old Hickory Lake distribution to 16 striped bass per acre well over the target of 10 per acre.
Old Hickory Lake’s fishing for the near future is looking bright, but we must remember that the resources of the lake are ours to protect. Only keep what you can eat or better yet practice catch and release. As with any activity on the water be safe and wear your life jacket. Good luck out there!
Fish Attractor Applications
The placement of fish attractors in Old Hickory Lake is allowed on a case by case basis and any interested party must contact the Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager's Office at (615) 822-4846 or 847-2395 to begin the application process for a one time fish attractor permit.
Old Hickory Lake Fish Records
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Old Hickory Lake Fish Record
| SPECIES |
WEIGHT |
DATE |
ANGLER |
| Class A: Sport fishing methods - caught on pole or rod and reel |
| Black Crappie |
3 lb. 2 oz. |
March 11, 2012 |
Paul Suggs |
| Bluegill |
1 lb. 4 oz. |
June 9, 1984 |
Wayne Hale |
| Drum |
9 lb. 12 oz. |
May 30, 1984 |
Stephen Natch |
| Hybrid |
13 lb. 8 oz. |
March 2, 1985 |
Ralph Dallas |
| Spotted Bass (Kentucky) |
5 lb. 1 oz. |
April 8, 2017 |
Matthew Robertson |
| Largemouth Bass |
11 lb. 1 oz. |
May 6, 2000 |
Bryan Dover |
| Striper (Rockfish) |
46 lb. 0 oz. |
Feb. 9, 1986 |
Randal Featherston |
| Sauger |
5 lb. 4 oz. |
Feb. 12, 1983 |
Roger Gregory |
| Smallmouth Bass |
6 lb. 15.5 oz. |
April 18, 2008 |
Billy Harris |
| Wallleye* |
25 lb. 0 oz. |
Aug. 3, 1960 |
Mabry Harper |
| White Bass |
3 lb. 3 oz. |
Feb. 16, 1987 |
Charles Beasley |
| White Crappie |
2 lb. 1.6 oz. |
April 19, 2015 |
Kevin Bell |
| *World Record |
|
Class B: Methods other than rod and reel - (a) trotline, (b) limbline,
(c) jug, (d) slat basket, (e) grabbling, (f) grab hooks, (g) snatch hooks,
(h) tubbing, (i) archery, (j) speargun, (k) dipping, (l) commercial gear
|
| Flathead Catfish |
86 lb. (a) |
Oct. 10, 1997 |
Wayne Womack |
| Hard Shell Turtle |
30 lb. (i) |
May 10, 1983 |
Raymond Pack Jr. |
| Underline - State Record |
|
Any species not listed means there is no entry for that species.
If a new species that is not on the list is caught, then it will qualify
as a new record.
|
| Table Last Updated: 01/03/2014 |
Record Fish Application
Old Hickory Lake Record Fish Application can be downloaded by clicking here. To request an application via telephone please contact the Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager's Office at (615) 822-4846 or 847-2395. You may also come in to the office during normal business hours (Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.) at No. 5 Power Plant Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075.