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Cherokee Lake, Tennessee, USA

Also known as:  Cherokee Reservoir

Cherokee Lake: Artists stop at Clinch Mountain Overlook to paint it, and photographers to photograph it, and every year millions of people come from all over to enjoy its beautiful waters. Cherokee Lake is a fantastic place to boat, fish, and enjoy. With Pigeon Forge, Tennessee nearby, there is sure to be something to please everyone. Cherokee Lake is named for the Cherokee Indians that used the…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Cherokee Lake! Article topics include:

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    • All About Cherokee Lake, TN

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Tennessee - East Tennessee -

    Cherokee Lake: Artists stop at Clinch Mountain Overlook to paint it, and photographers to photograph it, and every year millions of people come from all over to enjoy its beautiful waters. Cherokee Lake is a fantastic place to boat, fish, and enjoy. With Pigeon Forge, Tennessee nearby, there is sure to be something to please everyone.

    Cherokee Lake is named for the Cherokee Indians that used the Great Indian Warpath. Followed by Daniel Boone, the Warpath crossed the basin now filled by the reservoir. The reservoir was formed in 1941 with the completion of the Cherokee Dam on the Holston River. The dam, located 52 miles upstream from the convergence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers that make up the Tennessee River, was created to make hydroelectric power for World War II and also for flood control. Cherokee Lake is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority which runs several recreation facilities around the lake including a swimming beach, boat launch, and campground. The TVA also regulates the water levels which vary around 27 feet a year.

    Beginning and experienced anglers will find plenty of fish in Cherokee Lake, including black bass and sauger. The lake is stocked with walleye, crappie and very good striped bass. The TVA adds oxygen to Cherokee Lake to help support the fish populations. Fishing tournaments are held on the lake each year. Several full-service marinas provide services to boating enthusiasts and anglers, including boat rentals and bait service. Cherokee Lake is large enough for good sailing with many coves and islands to explore.

    On the shores of Cherokee Lake, Panther Creek State Park provides over 1,400 acres of forest, trails and wildlife. The park has camping and hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, and visitors may see white-tailed deer, eagles or owls. About 45 minutes south of Cherokee Lake, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the country’s most visited park, rounds out the outdoor adventures.

    Clinch Mountain was immortalized by the Carter Family in their 1928 song “My Clinch Mountain Home.” The area is also home to bluegrass musician Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Looking down at the view from the Clinch Mountain Overlook, it’s easy to see why songs were written and paintings painted of this beautiful area and lake.

    Things to Do at Cherokee Lake

    These are some activities in the Cherokee Lake, TN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • National Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Cherokee Lake?

    Cherokee Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Crappie
    • Perch
    • Sauger
    • Striped Bass
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Cherokee Lake

    If you’re considering a Cherokee Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Cherokee Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Cherokee Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Cherokee Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Tennessee Valley Authority

    Surface Area: 28,780 acres

    Shoreline Length: 393 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,073 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,020 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,075 feet

    Average Depth: 50 feet

    Maximum Depth: 150 feet

    Water Volume: 1,460,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1941

    Water Residence Time: 160 days

    Drainage Area: 3,428 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Cherokee Lake Map
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