The thermal discharge from the Gallatin Steam Plant heavily influences winter fishing on Old Hickory. Using water from the lake to supply the coal-fired furnaces, the supercharged water is released back into the reservoir, where it artificially warms the entire area. The resulting released water acts as a magnet to the large population of baitfish in Old Hickory and keeps both the baitfish's and the stripers' metabolisms high throughout the winter.

For a fishing spot with the tremendous reputation for producing trophy striped bass up to 50 pounds, the release area is surprisingly small. Before 9-11, anglers were allowed access to the area from the rocky bank that encloses the release area, but this area has since been closed to foot traffic. The result has been an increase in boating traffic, with some anglers choosing to anchor into the release water current and allow the stripers to find them.

By far the best baits for Old Hickory stripers are found right in the area of the thermal discharge. Skipjack herring are drawn to the area and attain sizes greater than 16 inches because of the abundance of smaller bait. Skipjack herring don't survive very long in even the best of bait tanks. So, rather than use cast nets to gather these baitfish, anglers cast tiny crappie jigs into the moving water from the release area in an effort to catch bait one at a time. Once a skipjack is caught on hook and line, it is quickly transferred to a heavy striper rod equipped with 30- to 40-pound-test monofilament line with just a hook tied to the end. Popular hook choices are the Gamakatsu Circle hook in size 10/0 or an Owner Octopus hook in size 8/0.

The skipjack is free-lined back into the current and allowed to make its own course behind the boat. Anglers are then kept busy, tending to lines, sorting the free lines and catching fresh bait by hook. When a hookup is made, there is no question about the bite -- it takes a big striper to eat baits this big, and when a 30-pound striper decides to kill and eat a 12- to 16-inch herring, he hammers it. Because of the popularity and small size of the Gallatin Discharge, boater and angler courtesy are at a premium. Early morning and late in the day are the best times with the least crowds. Weekends, not surprisingly, see the highest angler traffic.

Access to the Gallatin Steam Plant is directly across the lake from the discharge at the Cherokee Boat Dock and Resort, or under the Hwy. 109 bridge at the Martha Gallatin Recreation Area.

Fishing pressure on Old Hickory is probably highest of the three lakes featured in this article. One factor having a bearing on the fishing on Old Hickory is the dam restructuring taking place on Lake Cumberland's Wolf Creek Dam. Cumberland levels have been dropped to 80 feet in order to rework the dam to meet new earthquake tolerance standards. Because of the decreased level in Cumberland, water discharges to downstream reservoirs Cordell Hull and Old Hickory have been reduced.

Typically, low water conditions are a bonus to anglers in the short run, especially in the winter months when fish and bait have less lake to move around in. Confined bass and bait tend to lead to an increase in fishing success. Long-range effects of low water conditions, however, are generally not as beneficial and can even be detrimental through the hot summer months when cool water refuge is reduced.

It's not the summer yet, though, so cast off the winter doldrums and grab a bucket of shiners on the way to the lake and get set for some midwinter hot striper action on lakes Percy Priest, Tim's Ford and Old Hickory.