Tellico Lake

Located in eastern Tennessee near Knoxville, USA.

Strung along the Little Tennessee River and connected to Fort Loudoun Lake by a short canal, Tellico Lake is a clean, scenic reservoir framed by rolling hills and mountain views.

15,560 acres

Surface Area

96 ft

Max Depth

357 miles

Shoreline

1979

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About Tellico Lake

A two-for-one waterway. Tellico runs roughly 33 miles up the Little Tennessee River with about 15,560 surface acres and ~357 miles of shoreline at full pool. A short canal lets water (and boaters) pass to Fort Loudoun for power generation and navigation—one lake’s serenity with another’s big-water access.

Recreation & setting. Shorelines host state-managed historic lands, TVA trails, and small coves ideal for paddling and wildlife watching. It’s well known for crappie and bass fishing, and the surrounding Fort Loudoun State Historic Park and East Lakeshore Trail system add hiking, picnic spots, and birding for ospreys and bald eagles.

Key Features

Water Swimming Areas

Boating & Water Sports

Fishing (Diverse Species)

Marinas & Boat Services

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park & Nearby Public Lands

Picnic Areas & Outdoor Leisure

Minimal Water Level Fluctuation

Wildlife Viewing

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Type: TVA reservoir (impounded by Tellico Dam, linked to Fort Loudoun) — canal connection enables power generation and navigation.
Size: ~15,560 acres; ~357 miles shoreline; ~33 miles long.
Counties: Loudon, Monroe, Blount.
Summer elevation: Typically 812–813 ft above sea level.
Winter elevation: Around 807 ft.
Built: Dam closed Nov. 29, 1979; reservoir reached minimum pool Dec. 24, 1979.
Trails: East Lakeshore Trail (~29 miles), Hall Bend and Beach Trail near Tellico Dam.
Reputation: Among the cleaner lakes in East Tennessee; popular for paddling and bass/crappie fishing.

Tellico Lake Vacation Homes For Rent

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Tellico Lake EVENT GUIDE

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Tellico Lake DINING GUIDE

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What you can do there

Boating & paddling:
Launch at public TVA ramps or marinas and explore quiet coves off the Little Tennessee River. The canal lets you extend trips onto Fort Loudoun’s main channel without locking—great for longer cruises. Rentals for kayaks/SUP are available seasonally at Fort Loudoun State Park.

Fishing:
Tellico is noted for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, with crappie fishing that shines in spring and fall. Anglers also encounter blue, channel, and flathead catfish, walleye, white/striped bass, bluegill, and more. A Tennessee fishing license is required; check TWRA’s current creel/size limits before you go.

Swimming & day use:
Enjoy swim-friendly coves near parks and trailheads (no lifeguards). Pair a dip with a lakeside picnic at Fort Loudoun’s day-use areas or East Lakeshore overlooks.

Trails & wildlife:
Hike East Lakeshore Trail’s branches for shaded shoreline miles and regular bird encounters; Fort Loudoun’s grounds are reliable for osprey and bald eagles. In winter, waterfowl numbers spike at the Chota Waterfowl Refuge.

History & culture:
Tour the reconstructed 18th-century fort, visit the nearby Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, and paddle past sites tied to Overhill Cherokee towns.

Access, marinas & ramps

Sequoyah Landing Marina & Resort (Vonore): Fuel, slips, dining/lodging, rentals.

WindRiver Marina (Lenoir City): Slips, fuel, services on the north end.

Tellico Marina (Greenback): Community marina with dry and wet slips, home to Dockside restaurant, fuel, boat service and access to the mid-lake area.

Public ramps: TVA and local ramps ring the lake (check TVA’s Tellico Lake Levels page and app for locations and ramp status).

Safety & regulations

Life jackets: In Tennessee, children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved PFD on an open deck while the vessel is underway. All boats must carry properly fitting PFDs for every passenger.
Boater education: Operators 12+ operating alone must hold a TWRA Boater Education Certificate (with supervisor rules for under-12).
Shoreline & docks: Most shoreline changes (docks, lifts, stabilization) on TVA waters require a Section 26a permit; Tellico has additional shoreline standards in some zones.
General: Observe no-wake/idle zones (especially near the canal, marinas, and Fort Loudoun docks) and posted closures. Check TVA and TWRA updates before heading out.

Gallery

Video Courtesy of Lakefront Living Realty, LLC

Nearby highlights & suggested day trips

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park (on the lake): Living-history fort, museum/visitor center, paddling rentals, bank/pier fishing.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum (Vonore): Exhibits on Sequoyah and the Overhill Cherokee, minutes from the park.
East Lakeshore Trailheads: Multiple access points for half-day or full-day shoreline hikes with lake views.
Great Smoky Mountains NP / Cherohala Skyway day loop: Mountain vistas within an easy drive for a full-day scenic cruise from the lake area. (General regional suggestion; verify road conditions seasonally.)

Events & community

Tellico’s shoreline communities and parks host regular happenings. Fort Loudoun State Historic Park runs recurring Garrison Weekends—free living-history programs with interpreters, musket demos, and colonial life exhibits. Around the corner, the Tellico Village Yacht Club schedules Live Music Fridays and social dinners that draw lake residents and visitors. Check park and club calendars for dates.