Davy Crockett (Nolichucky) Reservoir - General Information
TWRA Region IV Office
3030 Wildlife Way Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-7037 or (800) 332-0900
Updated - June 2011
GENERAL:
Davy Crockett is a very shallow, 383-acre reservoir located within Greene County in east Tennessee. The Nolichucky Dam was built by the Tennessee Eastern Electric Company in 1913 and impounds approximately six miles of the Nolichucky River. The reservoir has been maintained by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) since 1945. TVA suspended hydroelectric power production in 1972 due to excessive siltation within the reservoir.
The Nolichucky River originates in western North Carolina and flows through several east Tennessee counties including Unicoi, Washington, and Geene. It merges with the French Broad River near the headwaters of Douglas Reservoir. Approximately 1,000 acres of the land surrounding Davy Crockett Lake is designated as a TWRA wildlife management area.
The primary game fish are largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass, catfish, muskie, and various sunfish species. There are not any fish consumption advisories issued for the reservoir. There are two small public boat ramps available, but water depth limits navigation by motorized vessels.
BLACK BASS:
Smallmouth, spotted, and largemouth bass are present. There is a five fish daily creel limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass in any combination. There is no size limit on largemouth, but there is a 13 to 17-inch PLR for smallmouth. Only one smallmouth greater than 17-inches may be harvested per day. There is no size limit on spotted bass with a creel limit of 15 per day.
SUNFISH:
Various sunfish species are found in the reservoir. There are no creel or size limits for most sunfish, but there is a daily creel limit of 20 for rock bass (redeye).
MUSKIE:
Reports of muskie being caught from Davy Crockett are relatively common. The TWRA recently stocked a limited number of muskie upstream of Nolichucky Dam and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has a long history of stocking the Nolichucky River. Only one, 36-inch or longer muskie may be harvested per day.
CATFISH:
Channel and flathead catfish are present. Only one, 34-inch or longer catfish may be harvested per day. There is not a harvest limit for catfish under 34-inches.
FISHING TIPS:
Largemouth bass - Some popular tackle are Silver Buddies, Carolina-rigged plastic lizards, 4-inch plastic worms, crankbaits, Shad Raps, Rapalas, Rat-L-Traps, spinner baits, buzz baits, and many more.
Smallmouth bass - Fish live bait on the bottom, Carolina-rigged lizards, or cast firetiger or shad colored Shad Raps, Rapalas, and Rebels.
Muskie - Fish large “blow-downs” throughout the year using a variety of large crankbaits and spinners. Please adhere to TWRA's catch and release guidelines.
