History
Norris Lake was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority as an impound of the Clinch and Powell Rivers. The dam was completed in 1936, and is used as a flood-control dam and for hydroelectric power production.
Geography
Norris Lake is nestled in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
Size
Norris Lake is a 33,840-acre lake created by the completion of the Norris Dam in 1936. Annual water elevation fluctuations can exceed 45 feet and boasts more than 800 miles of shoreline.
Features
Norris Lake features a diverse population of fish, including bluegill, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass and catfish. More than 21,000 structures have been placed in the lake since 1992 to improve fish habitat. The Tennessee state record for brown trout was caught in the Clinch River below Norris Lake.
Warning
Tennessee requires a valid fishing license. Be sure to review all fishing regulations before fishing at Norris Lake.
Article Written By A.C. Bauer
A.C. Bauer is a seasoned adventurist with explorations spanning four continents, including hiking Machu Picchu, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, running the Ice Age Trail and road biking out of her front door. She has written marketing materials for eight years and worked for Red Bull, Disney and Dick's Sporting Goods, and received a master's in recreation and sport science from Ohio University.
