Judd Slough, Tennessee: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Judd Slough is set in Meigs County, Tennessee. The surface lies 666 feet up. At roughly 5.1 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. Among the waters listed for Meigs County, none is wider. Hopewell lies 9.4 miles from the water. East Chattanooga is the closest city, 28 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Judd Slough

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Meigs County, recorded fish include bluegill, golden redhorse, longear sunfish and smallmouth bass. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Judd Slough gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 77°F; by January the average is down near 38°F. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Judd Slough runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Mungers Pond is 3.8 miles off. Signs at Judd Slough carry more weight than any list.