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Douglas Lake Description
Nestled in the foothills of Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Douglas Lake is a breathtaking sight. With the impressive Douglas Dam on one end, the lake that is also known as Douglas Reservoir extends its 30000-acre mass from the French Broad River, which feeds the lake, toward the majestic Smoky Mountains on its other end. Along the lake's 550 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of exciting things to do, including fishing, hiking, and rafting. And the lake is close to some of Tennessee’s most interesting attractions like national parks, urban centers, and amusement parks. With its natural beauty, fun activities, and central location, Douglas Lake is sure to draw anyone looking to buy a lakefront home. br>
Adventure is never lacking for those who own property at Douglas Lake. Fishermen with lakefront homes are literally steps away from a huge variety of bass fishing—black bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass. Walking trails in the Trotter Bluff Small Wild Area lead hikers through impressive hardwood forests, beautiful wildflowers during the spring, limestone sinkholes, and magnificent views of the dam. In the foothills of the Smokies, adventurers can get an adrenaline rush riding several zip lines and enjoy more thrills by rafting the French Broad River. In the fall, bird watchers can spot the many waterfowl that migrate to the shores of Douglas. The Douglas Lake shoreline golf courses like Baneberry and Dandridge offer golfers a charming lakeside resort atmosphere with courses that challenge all levels. Visit Golfhomes.com for listings of available properties on one of these resorts. br>
Lake-view homes provide privacy and amenities with convenient access to the nearby developed communities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Dandridge, and even Dollywood. A short 30-minute drive will land lake residents in the shops, restaurants, and bars of Knoxville. Another 30-minute drive to the south takes residents to the natural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are many opportunities for amusement in the surrounding area as well. Dollywood, so-called because of Dolly Parton’s ownership of the park, offers lake residents exciting amusement park thrills like roller coasters and Ferris wheels, a water amusement park called Dollywood’s Splash Country, as well as local crafts and the folk and blue grass music that are traditional in the Smoky Mountain community. br>
With so much to see, so much to do, and so many places to go, residents at Douglas Lake lead exciting and fun lives. To join them, check out the homes for sale right along the shoreline.
Douglas Lake is very fertile and green in color. Water clarity is greatest near the dam, while the upper sections of the lake are usually stained. In general, the lake stains easily following heavy rains due to the muddy bottom. Thermal stratification (thermocline) usually develops in the summer months. Dissolved oxygen becomes depleted below the thermocline during late summer (July and August), making fishing tough until cooler fall weather arrives.
Size and Depth: 30,400 acres with a maximum depth of 140 feet. The lake extends 43.1 miles upstream from the Douglas Dam.
Shoreline: Only about 17 percent of the shoreline is developed; the remainder is controlled by the TVA. Rolling hills of farmland and residential areas surround the lake.
Cover: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has placed many fish attractors in the lake, mainly in the backs of hollows where they are marked by signs or buoys. At full pool, downed trees along the bank offer cover for game fish. In winter or spring, before the lake rises, cover is scarce and fish are found on channel drop-offs and rock outcroppings. Timber was cut prior to flooding, leaving numerous stump-covered flats. Due to the large draw down, aquatic vegetation is lacking.
Bottom: Mostly silt and clay with some areas of rock outcroppings and bluffs.
Jet Skis:
Are they permitted? Yes
Swimming:
Can you swim in the lake? Yes
Water quality?
Great. Straight from the Smoky Mountains
Water Level:
Average water level variance? 20'
Boat Docks:
Are they permitted? Yes
Power Boats:
Are they permitted? Yes
Depth of Lake:
125 ft +
Nearby cities:
Dandridge, TN
Nearest airport:
Knoxville, TN. 40 miles
Building restrictions:
Yes
Douglas Lake Fishing Information
Inspiration Point Fish Camp
865-397-2116, 2527 Inspiration Pt,
Dandridge, TN 37725-6645
Featured Species: Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill.
Other Species: White Bass (Stripes), Spotted Bass, Walleye, Sauger, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Redhorse, Redbreast Sunfish.
Douglas Lake is considered one of the most productive waters in east Tennessee. Its quality fishery is attracting increased attention from anglers every year, and its use by tournament fishermen is considered substantial. Largemouth are by far the dominant black bass species in Douglas, accounting for 98 percent of all bass caught. Spotted bass are a distant second; smallmouth are rarely caught. Length distributions for largemouth bass appear excellent, with almost 25 percent of the population exceeding 15 inches. It has been noted in recent years that moderate harvest of bass less than 12 inches should be encouraged to reduce competition for available forage. Catfish are targeted by both sportfishermen and commercial fishermen. Commercial fishermen take the majority, especially blue catfish. A modest number of flathead and channel catfish are also caught by anglers. White bass numbers appear to be solid with a large number of fish in the 10-to 14-inch range. Whites have had strong natural reproduction in Douglas, promising good fishing in future years. Crappie abundance in recent years has been as high as ever, providing good fishing for both the white and black varieties. Black crappie numbers have increased during the past few years and comprise about 30 to 50 percent of the total crappie population. Recent surveys have shown good numbers of black crappie in the 9-to 10-inch range and whites in the 8-to 10-inch class. Douglas Lake enjoys a relatively stable crappie fishery, unlike the cyclic populations of most other Tennessee lakes. Bluegill are the most common sunfish in the lake. Excellent spawning success in recent years is expected to produce good panfishing in the future as well as provide ample forage for larger gamefish. Douglas Lake is not considered prime walleye or sauger water, but numbers are improving. The stretch from the I-40 bridge to the confluence of the Nolichucky and French Broad rivers holds the most fish. A few saugeye, a hybrid cross between a walleye and sauger, occur naturally in Douglas Lake.
Forage: Gizzard shad, threadfin shad, juvenile panfish, goldfish, bullhead minnow, various shiners and other minnows.
Crappie: Beginning in February, pre-spawn crappie stage along drop-offs adjacent to brush-or stump-covered flats. The best spots are usually near the mouths of large creeks, such as Nina, Douglas, Muddy and Flat. Troll these locations with small Sparkle Tails, A.C. Shiners, sinking Rapalas, or doll flies tipped with minnows. When crappie move into the shallows to spawn, work small or medium tuffies, or 1/32-ounce popeye flies under small floats. Concentrate on submergent shoreline cover, like flooded button bush or black willow. Large stump beds should also be fished. Try Stumpy Cove and the north side of the island at Shady Grove Dock. Water levels must be consistent within creeks and shallow coves for good spring action to occur. Summertime crappie are found relatively shallow, since deep water is usually devoid of oxygen. Target depths that range from 6 to 15 feet and offer some type of cover, such as fish attractors or stumps. Trolling is a popular method to cover large areas of water when searching for schools of active fish. Small vibrating lures like the 1/4-ounce Cordell Rattlin' Spot or Hot Shot are favored. Night fishing with lanterns or floating lights can be quite productive for summer crappie. Work depths of 10 to 15 feet, and use small minnows or jigs. Fall crappie relate to points, such as those near Swann's Dock, Douglas Creek, and Nina Creek. Also try the main channel under the I-40 bridge. Begin by working depths of 18 to 24 feet and move progressively shallower. During the winter months, fishing remains good as crappie suspend and chase schools of minnows in deeper water. Small plastic grubs on 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jigs work well.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass fishing begins to pick up during late March and early April in the warmer waters of the creek arms. Jig/plastic combinations (worms or lizards) are effective during this period. Shallow-running Bandit crankbaits and the deep-running Bagley D-20 are also good for spring bass. Work the submerged roadbeds of Muddy and Flat creeks; and also check Koontz, Rimmer, and Goose creeks on the lake's north side. Once water temperatures rise in late spring, largemouth move into areas of the main channels to chase schools of threadfin shad. Topwater presentations, like Pop R's, Tiny Torpedos and Zara Pups, are effective during this period. During the early part of summer, largemouth move to deep water (as deep as 50 to 60 feet) and can be taken on jigging spoons like a Hopkins or blade baits like a Silver Buddie. Bass will stay at these depths until the thermocline develops and oxygen becomes depleted in deep water. Summer bass are found in shallow water and will respond to spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwater lures. However, bass fishing tends to slow down during the heat of summer, particularly during the day. The best summer bass action occurs after dark, prompting most serious bass anglers to fish after sunset. The favored approach is to cast a large, dark-colored spinnerbait along the edges of rocky bluffs and ledges or near brushy cover.
Walleye/Sauger: The upper end of the lake, from the junction of the French Broad and Nolichucky rivers downstream to the I-40 bridge, offers the best opportunities for walleye and sauger anglers. A creek chub rigged on a plain wire hook or a doll fly tipped with a minnow are effective presentations. Work depths of 15 to 20 feet, and be sure to keep the bait tight to bottom. The best catches are taken during winter and spring.
Bluegill: Spring bluegill anglers should concentrate on brush piles or coves in depths of 3 to 10 feet, especially in April. Rock bluffs, shoreline brush piles and fish attractors are favorite summer bluegill haunts. Depths of 4 to 5 feet are best in summer.
Douglas Lake Boating Information
Smoky Mountain Lake Rentals at Gator Point Marina
800-839-LAKE, 1808 Gator Point Road, Sevierville, TN
Swann's Marina
865-397-2182, 2515 Swanns Marina, Dandridge, TN
Dandridge Boat Dock
865-397-3321, 122 Boat Dock Dr, Dandridge, TN 37725-6502
Specializing In The Douglas and Cherokee Lake Areas Maureen Moses
ERA Lakeway Real Estate
1228 Gay Street
Dandridge, TN 37725
+1 865-322-7184 View Listings
