Caney Fork
A cold tailwater below Center Hill Dam with stocked trout up top and big smallmouth below.
- 170 miRiver length
- 4Game fish
- 47Access points
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About the Caney Fork
The Caney Fork is one of the best rivers in Middle Tennessee. Its trout water starts at Center Hill Dam near Smithville and runs about 26 miles to the Cumberland River at Carthage. Cold water from the bottom of Center Hill Lake keeps trout alive all year, and the state stocks rainbows and browns.
The river changes as it goes. The upper miles below the dam are mostly trout water. Farther down, smallmouth bass take over, and fish over 20 inches are common because they feed on baitfish and young trout.
Everything depends on the dam. The Army Corps of Engineers releases water from Center Hill on a schedule, and the river can go from easy wading to fast and deep in under an hour. At low water much of the river is shallow enough to wade. At higher flows it is better floated in a drift boat or raft.
Caney Fork at Stonewall
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Nearby gages
- Falling Water River near Cookeville, TN8.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 03423000
- Collins River near McMinnville, TN19.3 mi away Not reporting USGS 03421000
- Roaring River near Hilham, TN27.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 03418000
- Cumberland River below Cordell Hull Dam, TN30.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 03418420
- Basses Creek at Lake Tansi near Crossville, TN30.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 03538970
- Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville, TN35.4 mi away Not reporting USGS 03538830
- West Fork Obey River near Alpine, TN37.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 03415000
- Cumberland River at Celina, TN41.3 mi away Not reporting USGS 03417500
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
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Tips for fishing the Caney Fork
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Check the release schedule first
Look up the Center Hill Dam generation schedule from the Army Corps of Engineers before every trip. Plan to wade only when no generation is scheduled, and leave the water as soon as it starts rising.
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Wade low, float high
With no generation, many riffles and gravel bars are easy to wade. When the dam runs, a drift boat or raft is the safer and better way to cover water.
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Fish streamers for big browns
The largest browns eat baitfish. Small white baitfish patterns and Woolly Buggers stripped along deeper banks are a good bet, especially as the water rises.
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Go downstream for smallmouth
The lower river holds more smallmouth bass than trout. Spring is the best time to target them with streamers and poppers.
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Fall is prime for trout
Cooler air and steady flows make fall the best trout season on the upper river.
Every access point on the Caney Fork, in your pocket.
- 47 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Caney Fork FAQ
When is the best time to fly fish the Caney Fork?
Fall is best for trout on the upper river. Spring is best for smallmouth on the lower river. The tailwater holds trout all year, so winter can fish well on low-water days.
Where is the trout water on the Caney Fork?
Trout live from Center Hill Dam down toward the Cumberland River at Carthage. The best trout water is in the upper miles closest to the dam, where the water stays coldest.
Can you wade the Caney Fork?
Yes, when the dam is not generating. Much of the river is shallow at low flow. Always check the Corps of Engineers release schedule, because water from Center Hill can rise fast.
What flies work on the Caney Fork?
Small white baitfish patterns and Woolly Buggers are reliable for trout and smallmouth. Add midges and small nymphs for low, clear water.
What fish live in the Caney Fork?
Stocked rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth bass, and tiger musky. Trout are more common near the dam and smallmouth more common downstream.
Is the Caney Fork good for smallmouth?
Yes. The lower river is one of the better smallmouth fisheries in Middle Tennessee, with fish over 20 inches.
