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Fresh Fishing Reports from Grainger County

Spring 2025 Flathead Catfish Fishing Rep
Spring 2025 Flathead Catfish Fishing Rep
April 20, 2025
As spring progresses and water temperatures rise, Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) are becoming increasingly active in rivers and reservoirs. With longer days and warming watersโ€”typically above 60ยฐFโ€”Flatheads emerge from their winter dormancy to feed aggressively in preparation for spawning. This seasonal shift marks an excellent opportunity for anglers targeting trophy-sized fish. On a recent guided trip, a guest landed two impressive Flathead Catfish, showcased in the photos for this report, at an underwater creek mouthโ€”a prime staging area as these fish prepare to migrate upstream in rivers to spawning sites like logjams or undercut banks. This exciting catch demonstrates the potential for big fish during the pre-spawn season, even on standard trips. For the best results, target structure-rich areas such as creek mouths or deep holes with live baits like bluegill, shad, or crawfish, which Flatheads eagerly pursue. Night fishing is particularly effective, given their nocturnal feeding habits. With Flatheads feeding voraciously to prepare for spawning (typically at 70โ€“80ยฐF), now is the perfect time to hook a fish of a lifetime. Join the action and experience the thrill of Flathead Catfish fishing! Book your guided trip with Captain Billy on FishingBooker.com and letโ€™s target those big cats together. Check local regulations and water conditions, as spawning timelines may vary. Tight lines!
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What anglers said about fishing in Grainger County

Make sure to check the weather! We had a 4 hour excursion planned, but had to cut it short because of heavy rain. We still caught our maximum allowed to keep in half the time, but the weather cut our 4 hour trip to 2.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure to check the weather! We had a 4 hour excursion planned, but had to cut it short because of heavy rain. We still caught our maximum allowed to keep in half the time, but the weather cut our 4 hour trip to 2.
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Make sure to dress for rainy weather, even if it is forecast for later in the day. And have fun
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure to dress for rainy weather, even if it is forecast for later in the day. And have fun
Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
Be prepared to battle these fish! They are tough to pull in! They are fighters for sure! Hahaha. And when youโ€™re doneโ€ฆ. You much grab a meal at The Tomato Grill!! Our boat Captain suggested it and it was absolutely amazing!!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be prepared to battle these fish! They are tough to pull in! They are fighters for sure! Hahaha. And when youโ€™re doneโ€ฆ. You much grab a meal at The Tomato Grill!! Our boat Captain suggested it and it was absolutely amazing!!!!
ShadNasty Fishing Charters
ShadNasty Fishing Charters
Terrible conditions ,rain and cold front moved in the night before but he located the bait fish and the Strippers Lots of nice fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Terrible conditions ,rain and cold front moved in the night before but he located the bait fish and the Strippers Lots of nice fish.
StriperXtreme Guide Service
StriperXtreme Guide Service
The trip was better than I expected Give Ridge the opportunity to show what he does
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The trip was better than I expected Give Ridge the opportunity to show what he does
Big Ridge River Guides
Big Ridge River Guides
Book with Xtreme Stripers for sure! Captain Bobby knows the area and heโ€™ll get you on the fish!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Xtreme Stripers for sure! Captain Bobby knows the area and heโ€™ll get you on the fish!!!
StriperXtreme Guide Service
StriperXtreme Guide Service
Listen to your guide. That is what made me catch fish Ridge knows how to teach you in his River.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listen to your guide. That is what made me catch fish Ridge knows how to teach you in his River.
Big Ridge River Guides
Big Ridge River Guides
Get with the Captain and see about the finer details of your trip. You may be able to get on the water a little sooner.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Get with the Captain and see about the finer details of your trip. You may be able to get on the water a little sooner.
Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
Our captain told us that fishing was not as good as usual due to muddy water in the rivers following heavy rain storms recently.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Our captain told us that fishing was not as good as usual due to muddy water in the rivers following heavy rain storms recently.
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Bring sunscreen, despite the elevation it's not much cooler than the low lands
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring sunscreen, despite the elevation it's not much cooler than the low lands
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Striper bandit is the best guide ! We have been coming for 10 years now and have dealt with a few different guides rusty was the best we have had !! I canโ€™t wait to do this again next year
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Striper bandit is the best guide ! We have been coming for 10 years now and have dealt with a few different guides rusty was the best we have had !! I canโ€™t wait to do this again next year
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Always remember that this is fishing. Not catching. Nothing is guaranteed.You may not always catch your targeted fish for different reasons. The bite was slow,but, Cody still put us on fish. My boys just couldnโ€™t get a Striper in the boat. They did enjoy the good fight though while they were hooked up.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Always remember that this is fishing. Not catching. Nothing is guaranteed.You may not always catch your targeted fish for different reasons. The bite was slow,but, Cody still put us on fish. My boys just couldnโ€™t get a Striper in the boat. They did enjoy the good fight though while they were hooked up.
Cody Daniels Guide Service
Cody Daniels Guide Service
This boat was set up to help new fishermen to experts. Very enjoyable and we caught fish!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This boat was set up to help new fishermen to experts. Very enjoyable and we caught fish!!!
StriperXtreme Guide Service
StriperXtreme Guide Service
I would strongly advise them to secure the services of Striper Bandit guide service
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I would strongly advise them to secure the services of Striper Bandit guide service
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Take the captainโ€™s advice on when to fish. They know what is biting best at what times of day.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Take the captainโ€™s advice on when to fish. They know what is biting best at what times of day.
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Book a trip with Big Ridge River Guides. Ridge has the local knowledge, knows the bodies of water, what's biting and where.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book a trip with Big Ridge River Guides. Ridge has the local knowledge, knows the bodies of water, what's biting and where.
Big Ridge River Guides
Big Ridge River Guides
Temps were great, light breeze off cold river water kept things cool when the wind was blowing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Temps were great, light breeze off cold river water kept things cool when the wind was blowing.
Big Ridge River Guides
Big Ridge River Guides
Go for trout! Fishing on the river is an enjoyable experience with beautiful views
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go for trout! Fishing on the river is an enjoyable experience with beautiful views
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
Smoky Mountain Fishing Company
My recommendation is to fish in the spring while water temperatures are cool. High water temperature encountered during the summer months greatly increases mortality rate of fish that are released. For this reason, during summer, in order to protect the high quality of striped bass fishing, persons are limited to limit of two fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
My recommendation is to fish in the spring while water temperatures are cool. High water temperature encountered during the summer months greatly increases mortality rate of fish that are released. For this reason, during summer, in order to protect the high quality of striped bass fishing, persons are limited to limit of two fish.
StriperXtreme Guide Service
StriperXtreme Guide Service
Fishing is never a guarantee, even with a great captain. Be patient and don't forget that the fish don't want to be caught!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fishing is never a guarantee, even with a great captain. Be patient and don't forget that the fish don't want to be caught!
Striper Bandit Guide Service
Striper Bandit Guide Service