Saint Andrews Lake near Sewanee: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Franklin County, Tennessee, sits Saint Andrews Lake. The setting is open plain. The water measures roughly 6 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Franklin County. Sewanee lies 2.2 miles from the water. Chattanooga is the closest city, 35 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Saint Andrews Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Across Franklin County, recorded fish include bluegill, blackside snubnose darter, rainbow darter, longnose gar and fantail darter. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Saint Andrews Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 74°F and January at 36°F. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That is the shape of the year on Saint Andrews Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Lake O'Donnell is 1.6 miles off. For Saint Andrews Lake in particular, ask before you travel.