Ready to go fishing? Residents of Middle Tennessee have so many options for places to fish. The Cumberland River, Percy Priest Lake, Old Hickory Lake and Stones River are the major bodies of water in our area but there are lots of smaller creeks and ponds perfect to drop your line.
I’m sure most serious anglers use a boat for fishing but there are tons of places in Middle Tennessee where you can fish from the bank. All you need is a pole, some bait and (if you’re like me and want to really relax) a fold up chair!
Fishing License
Before you load the kids up to go catch dinner, make sure you have your license in order. In Tennessee, you must have a valid license to fish if you are over the age of 12. Fishing licenses go on sale in mid February and are good through February of the following year.
You may purchase a Tennessee Fishing License online at this link or at a licensed agent. These can be sporting goods stores, bait shops or other businesses. You can find a list of these agents in your specific area by searching at this link.
The locations on this list are based on the actual street address. So don’t eliminate a spot just because it’s not listed in your zip code. Middle Tennessee geography can be a bit convoluted.
I live in Mt Juliet but I’m a lot closer to some Nashville addresses than I am to places located on the far side of my own city! Use the map links on the list and I’ll bet you find some places close to you even if they aren’t listed in your town.
Family Fishing Holes in Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Nashville
Couchville Lake – Long Hunter State Park – Hermitage (Map)
Lake Watauga in Centennial Park (Map)
Marrowbone Lake (Map) Daily lake permit required.
Old Hickory Beach – Old Hickory (Map) $5 fee
Percy Priest Lake Dam – Nashville (Map)
Anderson Road Recreation Area – Nashville (Map) $5 fee
Bryants Grove – Long Hunter State Park – Mt Juliet (Map) Technically in Mt Juliet but the park is also in Davidson County.
Sevier Lake – Shelby Park (Map)
Cook Day Use Area – Hermitage (Map) $5 fee
Elm Hill Recreation Area – Nashville (Map)
Suggs Creek Public Use Area – Hermitage (Map)
Four Corners Recreation Area – Antioch (Map)
Hamilton Creek Recreation Area – Nashville (Map)
Seven Points Recreation Area – Hermitage (Map) $5 fee
Smith Springs Recreation Area – Antioch (Map
Vivrette Creek Public Use Area on Wilson & Davidson Co line (Map)
Willow Pond – Warner Park (Map)
Two Rivers Park Lake – Nashville (Map)
Rutherford County
Todds Lake – Murfreesboro (Map)
Nice Mill Dam Recreation Area – Murfreesboro (Map)
Mona Boat Ramp – Jefferson Pike – Murfreesboro (Map)
Walter Hill Recreation Area – Murfreesboro (Map)
Fall Creek Recreation Area – Murfreesboro (Map)
Stones River River Greenway- Murfreesboro (Map)
East Fork Stones River – Murfreesboro (Map)
East Fork Central Valley Trailhead – Murfreesboro (Map)
West Fork Recreation Area – Murfreesboro (Map)
Stewarts Creek Recreation Area – Smyrna (Map)
Sharp Springs Park ( 3 ponds) – Smyrna (Map)
Jefferson Springs Recreation Area – Smyrna (Map)
East Fork Recreation Area – Smyrna (Map)
Pooles Knob – LaVergne (Map)
Hurricane Creek Recreation Area – LaVergne (Map)
Blue Water Catfish Farm – Eagleville (Map) Pay Lake. Find hours and prices at this link.
Sumner County
Nat Caldwell Park – Gallatin (Map)
Cairo Access Area – Gallatin (Map)
Bledsoe Creek State Park – Gallatin (Map)
Lock 4 Park – Gallatin (Map)
Bulls Creek – Gallatin (Map)
Cages Bend Recreation Area – Gallatin (Map)
Mallard Point Park – Hendersonville (Map)
Rockland Recreation Area – Hendersonville (Map)
Saundersville Access Area – Hendersonville (Map)
Avondale Access Area – Hendersonville (Map)
Old Hickory Boat Ramp – Sanders Ferry Park – Hendersonville (Map)
Walton Ferry Access Area – Hendersonville (Map)
Old Lock 3 Access Area – Hendersonville (Map)
Wilson County
Cedar Creek Recreation Area – Mt Juliet (Map) $5/car $2 walk in fee
Shutes Branch – Mt Juliet (Map)
Lone Branch – Mt Juliet (Map)
Bryants Grove – Long Hunter State Park – Mt Juliet (Map)
Vivrette Creek Public Use Area on Wilson & Davidson Co line (Map)
Fate Sanders Recreation Area – Mt Juliet (Map)
Lamar Hill Public Use Area – Mt Juliet (Map)
Laguardo Recreation Area – Lebanon (Map) $5/car $2 walk in fee
Cairo Bend Access Area – Lebanon (Map)
Greenbriar Lake – Lebanon (Map)
Williamson County
Bowie Nature Park – Fairview (Map) Five lakes within the park. Fishing allowed everywhere not prohibited by sign.
Veterans Memorial Park – Fairview (Map)
Harpeth River State Park – Narrows of the Harpeth – Kingston Springs (Map)
Judge Fulton Greer Park – Franklin (Map)
Pinkerton Park – Franklin (Map)
Harpeth River Restoration and Fish Passage – Franklin (Map)
South Harpeth River Bridge on Hwy 96 – Franklin (Map)
*Did we miss your favorite fishing hole? If you’re willing to share your spot, leave us the info in the comments.
This is great information.