Why Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says fishing will be better on Old Hickory Lake

Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Better fishing on Old Hickory Lake is the reason approximately 400 artificial structures are being added beneath the water surface due to natural habitat decay over the years.

The structures are designed to improve fishing and habitat for the fish, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Barry Cross said.

“It’s an opportunity to have a much better day on the lake,” Cross said. “It will improve fishing with more good places to go fishing.”

TWRA personnel push an artificial habitat structure down in deep water on Old Hickory Lake.
TWRA personnel push an artificial habitat structure down in deep water on Old Hickory Lake.

Old Hickory Lake touches multiple counties that Sumner, Wilson and Davidson.

The TWRA deployed six structures that resemble trees known as Tennessee Towers in two locations near the Sanders Ferry boat access area in Hendersonville in August. Cross expects 30 Tennessee Towers to be in place by the end of the month throughout Old Hickory Lake.

The Tennessee Towers' are 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide and are placed in water of 20-25 feet deep, Cross said.

Multiple structures called spiders and jacks that resemble bushes are also being put into Old Hickory Lake.

And 10 large rock hump and two rock reef structures that are approximately 75 feet in length will be added to the lake in the coming months, Cross said. The large rocks will be installed in areas accessible by boat or kayak to benefit fish habitat off shore for more experienced anglers.

TWRA personnel transport an artificial habitat structure called Tennessee Towers to a location on Old Hickory Lake.
TWRA personnel transport an artificial habitat structure called Tennessee Towers to a location on Old Hickory Lake.

The bottom of Old Hickory Lake is largely mud and void of trees and bushes that were present when the lake was created with only some stumps that leave fish a barren floor with little cover, Cross said. Fish relate to structures for spawning, safety and feeding “and better fishing and habitat,” Cross said.

The artificial structure sites will be identified with a special buoy as part of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes project. A Bass Pro Shops grant has also provided funding for the project, Cross said.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Artificial habitat to improve fishing on Tennessee's Old Hickory Lake