As it has proved with regulations established over the last three or four years, the TWRA is committed to keeping Tennessee the state "Where Smallmouth is King." Scholten said there are several fisheries across the state that could be improved with the proper regulations, and based on comments that the TWRA has received, smallmouth anglers are ready, for the most part, to support such regulations.

I've been fishing for smallies in Tennessee and other parts of the country for over 20 years, and Tennessee ranks close to the top of everyone's lists. Every time I run into four-time BASS Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, we get into this friendly but competitive conversation about which state, Michigan or Tennessee, has the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country. He won the first argument, but I think I won the last one.

"Tennessee is definitely one of the best states for smallmouth fishing in North America and probably the best in the South," added Scholten. "We are aggressive in our management of the species and it shows."

As for smallmouth lakes that deserve an honorable mention other than the obvious top four, Scholten added Watts Bar and Norris Lake to the list. He said Watts Bar has plenty of excellent smallmouth habitat and since the implementation of the 18-inch minimum size limit, Watts Bar smallmouth fishing has exploded. The size structure has improved and each year our surveys yield more smallmouths.

Scholten also said Norris is another reservoir that has benefited from an 18-inch minimum size limit. At Norris, since the implementation of this size limit, the number of large smallmouths has increased, and the agency expects this quality brown bass fishery to continue to see improvements. Norris used to be on my sleeper list, but no longer. The winter fishing can often equal that found at Dale Hollow and South Holston lakes if you hit it right.

The state's top smallmouth biologist went on to say although TWRA surveys don't always show it, the southern half of Kentucky Lake is another great smallmouth fishing locale. Kentucky Lake is no longer a sleeper smallmouth destination, and anglers now know it to be not only a great largemouth lake but on the edge of greatness when it comes to smallies.

If you get the chance this year, be sure to make a stop on Watauga Lake as well. The winter fishing with spoons and the Float-N-Fly finesse technique is phenomenal. The night-fishing there is as good it gets at times, and it continues all the way into November each year. Unfortunately, Scholten said, Center Hill and Percy Priest lakes that had "once good populations" of smallmouths still appear to be in a smallmouth slump.

OUR BEST SMALLMOUTH RIVERS
Over the years, we've beat the question as to which moving water in the state of Tennessee is the best smallmouth destination. We could argue about it until we're blue in the face, but the rankings change very little from year to year. There are good rivers, better rivers, and then the best. To be honest, I've never stepped in a bad smallmouth river. If they live there, it's all good -- but again, some are just better.

When it comes to whitetails, Middle Tennessee has your numbers; when it comes to ducks, West Tennessee is the place to be; but when it comes to river smallies, East Tennessee's moving waters still reign supreme. Let's look at three destinations that deserve your smallmouth attention anytime that you can get out to fish, and we'll also look at or four or five that are "must-do trips" for serious smallmouth anglers in Tennessee.