Smith Pond in Chester County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Smith Pond lies in Chester County, in Tennessee. The bank is 564 feet above sea level. About 4 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Chester County standards. Nearest town is Henderson, 10 miles off. The big place round here is Memphis, 75 miles distant. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Smith Pond

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Fish documented in Chester County include bluegill, brown madtom, dollar sunfish and freckled madtom. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Smith Pond the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 37°F in January and 79°F in July. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Smith Pond follows the weather closely. Rain lifts the level and moves fish about.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, King Lake is 8 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Smith Pond.