Are There Salmon in Tennessee? A Guide to Fishing for Salmon in the Volunteer State

As an avid angler, one of my favorite fish to catch is salmon. Their strong fighting spirit combined with their delicious taste makes salmon a prize catch So when I moved from the West Coast to Tennessee, one of my first questions was – are there salmon in Tennessee?

I was pleased to discover that yes, there are indeed salmon living in Tennessee waters! The state is home to four main species that offer exciting fishing opportunities for resident and visiting anglers.

In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to salmon fishing in Tennessee. We’ll cover:

• What species of salmon are found in TN
• The best Tennessee rivers and lakes to catch salmon
• Peak salmon fishing seasons
• Top salmon fishing techniques and gear
• Tips for cooking your Tennessee salmon

Let’s dive in and explore salmon fishing in the Volunteer State!

What Species of Salmon are in Tennessee?

While less famous for salmon than coastal states like Alaska and Washington, Tennessee does have a diversity of salmon species swimming in its waters.

The four main types of salmon found in Tennessee are

• Chinook salmon – Also called king salmon, chinook are the largest salmon species. They average 10-20 pounds but can exceed 100 pounds!

• Coho salmon – Known as silver salmon coho average 6-12 pounds. They put up a strong fight when hooked.

• Sockeye salmon – The brightly colored sockeye averages 4-8 pounds. It is also called red salmon.

• Pink salmon – The smallest salmon species in TN at just 3-5 pounds. But they are abundant and great fun to catch.

Within Tennessee, the most plentiful species are chinook, coho and pink salmon. Sockeye are more rare but present in some rivers. Having a range of salmon types provides diverse fishing opportunities across the state.

Top Rivers and Lakes to Catch Salmon in Tennessee

Salmon may start their lives in the ocean, but they return to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. This makes Tennessee’s inland waterways prime salmon habitat.

Here are the top rivers and lakes in Tennessee to catch salmon:

• Tennessee River – Flowing over 600 miles through TN, this river system holds chinook, coho, pink and sockeye salmon.

• Clinch River – Joining the Tennessee River near Kingston, the Clinch River has excellent salmon fishing.

• Hiwassee River – Known for its trout, the Hiwassee also hosts salmon runs in the fall.

• Holston River – Major tributary of the Tennessee River with large populations of chinook salmon.

• Little River – This scenic Great Smoky Mountains river offers a remote salmon angling experience.

• Tellico Lake – Impounded by the Tellico Dam, this lake connects to prime Knoxville-area salmon waters.

Within these river systems, look for salmon congregating near dam tailwaters, tributary streams, pools and riffles. These spots provide food sources and optimal spawning habitat for the fish.

When is Salmon Fishing Season in Tennessee?

Like other anadromous fish species, salmon live part of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater to spawn. This inland migration creates defined salmon runs in Tennessee:

• Spring – Some early-run salmon will move into rivers between March and May. Look for salmon in the Clinch River and southern Tennessee Valley during this period.

• Summer – Less salmon fishing occurs in the hottest summer months of June through August. But look for stragglers in deep pools and near dam outflows.

• Fall – The peak salmon fishing season in Tennessee is fall, from late September through November. Most runs occur during this autumn spawning period.

• Winter – Occasional salmon can be caught in winter near warm water discharges from dams. But ice and high water generally make winter fishing difficult.

For your best chance at hooking into hard-fighting Tennessee salmon, plan your fishing trips around the fall runs. However, you may get lucky and catch salmon in the state during almost any month of the year.

How to Catch Salmon in Tennessee – Techniques and Gear

Salmon offer a worthy challenge for anglers. Equipping yourself properly and using the best techniques for the conditions will help you hook into these strong fish.

Here are some top tips for fishing for salmon in Tennessee:

• Use heavier gear – Salmon can easily snap light line and tackle. Use medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting rods with 20-40 lb test line.

• Add a steel leader – Salmon have sharp teeth that can bite through line. Attach a short steel leader to prevent line breaks once hooked.

• Drift float rigs – Free drifting egg sacks, beads or curly tail grubs under a float is deadly for hooking staging salmon.

• Backbounce roe – Backbouncing cured salmon eggs in a bait rig is a proven technique when salmon are actively spawning.

• Try crankbaits – Throwing diving crankbaits that imitate baitfish will draw aggressive strikes from salmon.

• Fly fish streamers – Stripping streamers like woolly buggers on sinking fly lines can tempt salmon in clear waters.

Having the right rods, reels, line strength and terminal tackle suited for salmon will help you land these strong fish. And using techniques that match the salmon’s varied behaviors throughout their run timing will put fish in the net.

Tips for Cooking Your Catch of Tennessee Salmon

One of the rewards of landing a nice salmon is getting to eat this delectable fish. Salmon caught in Tennessee’s cool waters have firm, bright orange flesh with a mild flavor.

Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare a fresh catch of Tennessee salmon:

• Grilled salmon – Brush fillets with olive oil and spices, then grill over high heat for delicious char-grilled salmon.

• Blackened salmon – Coat fillets with Cajun seasoning mix and blacken in a hot cast iron skillet.

• Baked salmon – Bake seasoned salmon fillets in foil packets with lemon and herbs.

• Smoked salmon – Hot or cold smoke whole salmon or fillets for amazing flavor.

• Canned salmon – Preserve your catch by canning salmon to enjoy year-round.

However you choose to cook it, Tennessee salmon provides a wonderful meal after a day of fishing fun. Be sure to share your catch with friends and family!

Get Out and Catch Tennessee Salmon!

Who knew that fantastic salmon fishing could be found right here in the state of Tennessee? From giant chinook salmon to feisty pink salmon, there are plenty of chances to catch these iconic fish.

Grabbing your fishing rod and heading out to Tennessee’s salmon waters this fall is sure to provide an amazing angling adventure. Just be ready for a tough fight when you hook into one of these charging fish!

Have you fished for salmon in Tennessee? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. And please share this guide if it helps you discover new salmon fishing opportunities in the Volunteer State. Happy fishing!