Crutcher Lake in Sumner County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Crutcher Lake sits within Sumner County in Tennessee. The water sits 597 feet up. It covers about 21 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Shackle Island sits 2.3 miles from the bank. After that come Hendersonville at 5.4 miles and Gallatin at 7.3 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Crutcher Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Sumner County include slabrock darter, cumberland snubnose darter, fantail darter and bluegill. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Crutcher Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 78°F; by January the average is down near 35°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Time your trip to Crutcher Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Old Hickory Lake is 5 miles distant. Confirm access to Crutcher Lake locally before you travel.