Dorton Lake Fishing near Lake Tansi, Tennessee

• Overview

  Dorton Lake stands in Cumberland County, Tennessee. The surface lies 1,877 feet up. At roughly 7 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Most waters listed here for Cumberland County are larger. The closest town, Lake Tansi, is 1.2 miles distant. The nearest city of size is East Chattanooga, 58 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Dorton Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish documented in Cumberland County include bluegill, rock bass and greenside darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Dorton Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 74°F in July and bottoms out near 35°F in January. Some winters cap it and some do not. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. The season on Dorton Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Hiawawtha Lake at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. For Dorton Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.