Cherokee Lake

Holston River, northeastern Tennessee (near Jefferson City and east of Knoxville), USA

Cherokee Lake is a large TVA reservoir on the Holston River in northeastern Tennessee, prized for fishing, boating, and shoreline recreation.

28,780 acres

Surface Area

175 ft

Max Depth

400 miles

Shoreline

1941

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About Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake was formed when the Tennessee Valley Authority built Cherokee Dam across the Holston River just before the U.S. entered World War II. The reservoir was designed for flood control, hydropower and navigation — but over the decades it has evolved into a major recreational resource for East Tennessee, with parks, public boat launches, marinas and private lakefront developments dotting its shoreline.

Today the lake supports a broad mix of uses: anglers chase excellent bass and crappie populations, paddlers and sailors explore quiet coves, families swim at designated beaches, and campers and picnickers enjoy the state parks and wildlife areas that touch the water. TVA’s reservoir operations and state wildlife and parks agencies work together to balance recreation, conservation and downstream flood control.

Key Features

Swimming Areas

Boating & Water Sports

Fishing (Diverse Species)

Marinas & Boat Services

Parks & Public Lands

Picnic Areas & Outdoor Leisure

Variable Water Levels

Wildlife Viewing

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Surface area: ~28,780 acres.
Shoreline: Nearly 400 miles.
Year completed: Cherokee Dam finished in 1941.
Dam operator: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Primary river: Holston River.
Popular for: Bass and crappie fishing; boating; family recreation.

Cherokee Lake Vacation Homes For Rent

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Cherokee Lake EVENT GUIDE

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Cherokee Lake DINING GUIDE

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What you can do there

Fishing:
Cherokee is one of East Tennessee’s top tournament and recreational fisheries — anglers target largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie (including slab crappie), walleye/saugeye and channel catfish. Techniques vary seasonally: vertical jigging and spider-rigging for crappie, bass flipping and topwater in warm months, and trolling or structure fishing for walleye. Check TWRA rules for limits and season specifics.

Boating & watersports:
With wide open sections and sheltered arms, the lake suits everything from high-speed watersports to relaxed sailing and paddleboarding. Designated no-wake coves and marked channels help separate heavy-use areas from quieter spots.

Swimming & beach days:
Public swim beaches and park shorelines are available in summer — great for families, but always use lifeguarded areas where provided and follow posted rules.

Camping, hiking & picnicking:
Nearby state parks, campgrounds and public lands offer lakeside campsites, day-use picnic shelters and short trails for easy outdoor outings. Birdwatching and shoreline photography are popular in spring and fall.

Access, marinas & ramps

Cherokee Lake has many public boat ramps (two dozen+ listed across guides) and several full-service marinas offering fuel, slips, tackle and boat maintenance. Major public ramps include those at Panther Creek State Park, TVA Cherokee Dam launch, Malinda Ferry and others — local maps and marina websites list hours, fees and seasonal closures. If you’re launching a trailer, check ramp conditions and TVA/park pages for temporary restrictions.

Safety & regulations

Observe posted speed and no-wake zones, especially near swim beaches, docks and marinas.
Life jackets:: Tennessee law requires PFDs onboard and for children per current state rules — keep a wearable life jacket for every person aboard.
TVA manages lake elevations — check the TVA water-level and recreation notices before visiting docks, ramps or beaches (drawdowns may affect access).
Fishing regulations: follow TWRA bag/size limits and any special regulations for stocked species.

Gallery

Nearby highlights & suggested day trips

Panther Creek State Park (camping, trails, beach).
Historic Jefferson City & nearby towns — local dining, lakefront parks and marinas.
Great Smoky Mountains / Knoxville — Knoxville’s urban attractions are under an hour away; the Smokies and other East Tennessee mountain destinations make excellent day-trip extensions for hikers and sightseers.

Events & community

Cherokee Lake hosts a lively local outdoor community: bass tournaments and regional fishing events are common, sailing clubs run seasonal regattas, and parks schedule family events and interpretive nature programs in summer. Local marinas and bait shops are useful hubs for up-to-date event listings and tournament schedules; social media groups and regional fishing sites also post trip reports and meetups for anglers and boaters.