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Fishing Harpeth River: what the data says
Smallmouth float through the Narrows outside Nashville. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Harpeth River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 19.3) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Largemouth Bass fishing at Harpeth River
Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for fall largemouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Channel Catfish fishing at Harpeth River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Longnose Gar fishing at Harpeth River
In spring, longnose gar run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 1 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6), a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for longnose gar in fall. Best bite is midday and the evening. A rope lure or a small white spinner covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Lake Ogallala Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 35.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 37.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 42.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 44.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Harpeth River?
Harpeth River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Harpeth River?
Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, longnose gar on Harpeth River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Harpeth River?
Riffle & run (mile 19.3) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Harpeth River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Marrowbone Lake · Whippoorwill Lake · Duck River · J. Percy Priest Lake · Old Hickory Lake · Buffalo River
See how Harpeth River stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Tennessee · best smallmouth bass lakes in Tennessee · best channel catfish lakes in Tennessee · best longnose gar lakes in Tennessee
Browse all Tennessee fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.