Chattanooga is a favorite fall travel destination for many reasons, and a bass fishing trip to lakes Chickamauga and Nickajack are only two of them. The surrounding mountains of east Tennessee are painted in splendid autumn colors, days are comfortably cooler and Chattanooga offers a unique blend of signature food, live music and attractions unlike anywhere else in the South. To sum it all up, it’s impossible to be bored around Chattanooga.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro and Tennessee native Brandon Lester ranks the lakes high on his list of favorites. That is high praise from someone that makes their living traveling far away from home, fishing the nation’s best bass lakes. He also likes to bring his family there for fun.
“There is so much to like about Chickamauga and Nickajack,” he said. “Fall fishing is fantastic and Chattanooga has so much to offer families.”
Visit Chattanooga, follow the state’s current social distancing and COVID-19 precautions, and come away with memories that will make you want to return. Here is a list of ideas for planning your trip.
Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium is the biggest attraction and for good reason. Museum visitors embark on a journey that follows the migration of a raindrop as it makes its way from atop a mountain stream to the bottom of the ocean, all of which is possible in the area. The “River Journey” exhibit winds through the Appalachian Cove Forrest to the Tennessee River, where visitors meet native wildlife along the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The trip ends at Ocean Journey, where encounters with saltwater animals is a highlight. The 130,000-square foot facility was the world’s largest freshwater aquarium when it opened in 1992. Its centerpiece is the 145,000-gallon Nickajack Lake tank, which has great appeal to anglers with up-close views of fish, birds and other wildlife inhabiting the lake.
Rock City Gardens
Drive along the interstates and backroads leading to Chattanooga and you can’t miss seeing the colorful red and black barns painted with “See Rock City” on their sides. The popular 4,100-foot path located on the Georgia side of Lookout Mountain offers attractions for everyone. Outdoor lovers will enjoy weaving through the tall boulders situated at Needle’s Eye and Fat Man’s Squeeze along the Enchanted Trail. Kids will feel like adventurers crossing the 180-foot Swing-a-Long Suspension Bridge, and the view of Lover’s Leap offers a lookout point for a 90-foot waterfall. And everyone can have fun counting the states in view from the See Seven States viewpoint.
Ruby Falls
Located 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is America’s deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall. Visitors take an elevator down to the falls and learn about the various rock formations located along the way. A lookout tower, playground and ziplining adventure are part of the attractions.
About Lake Chickamauga
The layout: The lake stretches 59 miles on the Tennessee River from Watts Bar Dam to Chickamauga Dam near downtown Chattanooga, with 36,240 surface acres covering 810 miles of shoreline.
Launch here: Popular boat ramps near downtown include Booker T. Washington State Park, Harrison Bay State Park and Chester Frost Park.
Eat here: The catchphrase “amazing food with an awesome view” sums up the vibe at Lakeshore Grill, its deck and patio overlooking the dam. Dock at Lakeshore Marina and walk up to the restaurant. Steve’s Landing Waterfront Grill is accessible by boat from Pine Harbor Marina. Housed in a cabin reminiscent of a summer camp dining hall, the restaurant features a large deck with views of the water.
About Nickajack Lake
The layout: For a completely different fishing experience, try Nickajack Lake on your visit to Chattanooga. The lake winds 16 miles through downtown Chattanooga, past the Tennessee River Gorge, expansive flats of vegetation near the I-24 bridge, and terminates at the Nickajack Dam. The lake covers 3,767 surface acres and receives little fishing pressure compared to nearby Lake Chickamauga.
Launch here: Marion County Park, located within view of I-24, and the public access at Nickajack Dam.
Eat here: Opened in 1963, the Riverside Catfish House is an old-fashioned seafood joint worth the stop for the food and décor. The restaurant’s catfish is its claim to fame. Try the cornmeal-battered fried fingerlings, which are slightly sweeter than the fillets, and wash them down with a sweet tea. The coconut cake, too, keeps loyal fans coming back for more. A small courtesy dock is within short walking distance of the eatery.
Plan your trip: www.tnvacation.com
