Cherokee Lake is one of the oldest reservoirs created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). They impounded the Holston River in 1940, and the lake was completed and opened to the public in 1941. Built for hydroelectricity during World War II, this lake also offers plenty of recreational activities.

Hawkins, Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson counties in Tennessee all share Cherokee Lake. Visitors can find plenty of public access, commercial boat docks and resorts as well as Panther Creek State Park and other public parks along the 400-mile shoreline. A state wildlife management area also sits on the shores, and that resource attracts a large amount of recreational use.

Fishing

The high level of this reservoir causes Cherokee Lake to maintain greater fish densities then other TVA reservoirs. Cherokee Lake offers threadfin and gizzard shad, alewife, black bass, walleye, sauger, sunfish, black bass, crappie, white bass, and catfish. Cherokee Lake's largemouth and smallmouth bass populations are so dense that there's not need to stock. The state record fish for this lake was a 46.6-pound black buffalo in 1954.

  Search Cherokee Lake Resources
     Coordinates:
36.2149N -83.4350W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
28,780 acres
Maximum Depth:
175 ft
Elevation:
1,073 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Knoxville
Airport:
Knoxville

Boaters will enjoy the numerous marinas and several access sites located along the lake's 28,000 acres. Most marinas offer full service including boat rentals, accommodations, supplies, fishing tackle, and restaurants. Review the Lake Resource Guide for detials on the local boating.

• TN Fishing Licenses
• TN 2012 Statewide Limits and Regulations
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
• Panther Creek State Park