Fishing Butcher Lake in Anderson County, Tennessee

• Overview

  Butcher Lake sits within Anderson County in Tennessee. The water sits 869 feet up. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Start from Oak Ridge, 5.2 miles down the road. It is 16 miles to Knoxville, the nearest city. Within easy reach: Bud Hodge Lake at about 7.8 miles, Melton Hill Lake (8 miles), Bradley Lake at about 8.3 miles, Kirby Lake (8.6 miles) and Dead Horse Lake at about 8.9 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Butcher Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Public occurrence data for Anderson County names redear sunfish, bluegill, green sunfish, golden redhorse and longnose gar. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Butcher Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 76°F, with January the cold end at about 36°F. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It holds true on Butcher Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. A car park sits roughly half a mile away. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Bud Hodge Lake at 7.8 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Butcher Lake is worth confirming on the day.