When the Tennessee Valley Authority built hydroelectric dams on its namesake river, recreational fishing enhancement may not have been the primary objective, but the positive impact on lakes like Pickwick is undeniable. Water released through the massive structures — measured in cubic feet per second (CFS) — not only creates electric power, it stirs the impoundments, piles up baitfish and puts bass in a bona fide food mood.
The amount of water released through a TVA dam varies based on power needs, and periods of changing water flow profoundly alter the lake’s fishing dynamics. Slower water means less active fish; faster water perks up the bite. Resident smallmouth are used to fighting the current, so the more the water’s moving, the better it makes them feed.
The TVA publishes its planned release schedules online at http://www.tva.gov/river/lakeinfo/ so anglers can get a preview of what to expect throughout the day. (TVA apps bring reservoir information to Smart phones, so you can monitor key changes while you’re on the water.) Note the peak periods and make sure you’re running your best baits by the sweet spots when the fish are most likely to feel like biting.
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