Boating At Norris Lake In Tennessee

Free Public Boating & Watersport Activities

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of northeastern Tennessee, Norris Lake is a captivating reservoir created by the Norris Dam, offering a scenic and inviting destination for locals and tourists alike. Situated just north of Knoxville, the lake's location provides easy access to nature's beauty and recreational opportunities.

Norris Lake boasts an array of nearby attractions to explore. The Norris Dam State Park offers hiking trails, picnicking spots, and stunning vistas of the lake and surrounding landscapes, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Boating is a cherished activity on Norris Lake, and its expansive waters offer ample space for a variety of watercraft. Whether sailing, fishing, water skiing, or jet skiing, visitors can indulge in a diverse range of boating experiences.

Several marinas, such as Norris Dam Marina and Stardust Marina, provide essential services for boaters, including fueling stations, boat rentals, and on-site dining options, enhancing the overall boating experience.

Water sports enthusiasts will find endless enjoyment on Norris Lake, with opportunities for wakeboarding, tubing, and paddleboarding adding to the excitement of their lake adventure.

With numerous well-maintained boat launch ramps scattered around the lake, accessing the water and setting off on a boating journey is both convenient and hassle-free.

Norris Lake is renowned for its excellent fishing, with a rich diversity of fish species, including bass, crappie, and walleye, making it a haven for anglers seeking a rewarding fishing experience.

Nearby cities like Knoxville offer an urban escape, with a range of cultural attractions, shopping centers, and dining establishments to explore, providing a perfect complement to the serene lake experience.

The boating season on Norris Lake typically spans from spring through fall, ensuring that boaters have ample time to take advantage of the lake's recreational offerings and breathtaking vistas.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, camping facilities are available near Norris Lake, allowing visitors to bask in the beauty of the lake's surroundings and spend a night under the stars.

Boating, camping and fishing.

Miles of boating, tons of camping and exceptional striped bass fishing, Norris Lake is a sprawling, 34,000-acre lake in northeast TN. With all the state parks and campgrounds around the lake, it's easy to find a place to fish from shore, or launch a kayak or canoe. Numerous boat launch ramps make it easy for launching larger fishing and pleasure boats. Stripers exceeding 50 pounds are common here. Anglers can also fish for bass, crappie, trout, white bass, walleye, muskie, sunfish, and many other species. And, the fishing is highly rated for most all species in the lake. With over 800 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of places to wet a line. The lake is a maze of points, creek channels, ledges, humps and islands for the fish to call home. In spring and fall there is lots of shallow activity. In summer and winter the fish tend to school in deeper water around channels and structure. The lower end of the lake is a popular area for big stripers, year round.

Area Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Camping

Norris Dam State Park Campground - 865 426-7461

Loyston Point Campground - 865 494-9369

Big Ridge State Park Campground - 865 992-5523

Hickory Star Campground - 865 992-5241

Powell Valley Resort Campground - 423 562-5975

Lost Creek Campground - 865 278-3539

Beach Island Resort & Marina Campground - 865 992-3091

Lakeside Campground - 423 626-2320

Cedar Grove Marina & Campground - 865 278-3131

Bunch Hollow Campground & Resort - 865 919-2427

Norris Lake Map

Fishing

Fish species found in Norris Lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, striped bass, muskie, paddlefish and sauger.

Largemouth bass Smallmouth bass Spotted bass Channel catfish Blue catfish Black crappie White crappie Rainbow trout Brown trout Walleye Bluegill Redear Sunfish Rock Bass Warmouth Sunfish White Bass Striped bass Muskie Paddlefish Sauger