Geronimo Lake Fishing in Cumberland County, Tennessee

• Overview

  Look for Geronimo Lake in the Cumberland County part of Tennessee. The ground round it is open valley. Surface area runs to about 19 acres — small enough to read in one session. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Tennessee listings. The closest town, Lake Tansi, is 1.4 miles distant. It is 58 miles to East Chattanooga, the nearest city. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Geronimo Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Survey and observation records for Cumberland County include bluegill, rock bass and greenside darter. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Geronimo Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 74°F at the top of summer and 35°F at the bottom of winter. The season stretches long at both ends here. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Geronimo Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Hiawawtha Lake, 1.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Geronimo Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.