Cherokee Lake Wildlife Tour - East Tennessee
Private Trip
Scenic
Threehour eco wildlife tour exploring Cherokee Lake's natural beautyFamilyfriendly scenic cruise with optional fishing and gear providedWildlife spotting opportunities while learning about local fish species
Picture this: the sun's just starting to peek over the Smoky Mountains, casting that golden morning light across Cherokee Lake's glassy surface. You're sitting comfortably on our boat with a hot cup of coffee, watching the mist roll off the water while a great blue heron takes flight from the shoreline. That's what you get with our 3-hour Cherokee Lake Eco Wildlife Tour – a perfect blend of relaxation, education, and natural beauty that families absolutely love. Starting at 6 AM when the lake is at its most peaceful, this tour gives you front-row seats to some of East Tennessee's most stunning scenery and wildlife. We keep it intimate with just 2 guests included in the base price, though we can accommodate up to 5 people total if you want to bring the whole crew along.
This isn't your typical high-speed boat ride – we're talking about a leisurely cruise designed to showcase Cherokee Lake's natural wonders. The lake stretches for miles with countless coves, creek arms, and pristine shoreline that most people never get to see from this perspective. We'll navigate through some of the quieter sections where wildlife tends to congregate, especially during those early morning hours when animals are most active. You'll learn about the lake's ecosystem, the various fish species that call these waters home, and the history of this beautiful Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir. The pace is relaxed and family-friendly, making it perfect for guests of all ages who want to experience East Tennessee's outdoors without the intensity of a fishing charter. If you're feeling lucky and want to wet a line, we've got gear onboard – just remember to grab your Tennessee fishing license beforehand.
We use a comfortable, stable boat that's perfect for wildlife viewing and photography. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and has spent years learning the best spots for wildlife sightings and scenic views. We'll cruise at a comfortable speed that allows for conversation and optimal viewing opportunities. Binoculars are available if you want a closer look at birds or distant shoreline activity. The tour route varies depending on weather conditions and recent wildlife activity, but we always hit the highlights – secluded coves where deer come to drink, rocky bluffs where eagles nest, and shallow areas where wading birds hunt for fish. The boat is equipped with comfortable seating and shade, plus all the safety equipment required by the Coast Guard. If anyone in your group decides to try their hand at fishing during the tour, we'll explain basic techniques and help you understand what species you might encounter.
Largemouth Bass are the lake's most popular residents, and for good reason. These chunky fighters love the shallow, weedy areas and creek mouths throughout Cherokee Lake. Spring through fall, you'll often see them busting baitfish near the surface, especially during our early morning tours. They're aggressive predators that can grow well over 5 pounds here, and watching them hunt in the shallows is pretty spectacular. Even if you're not fishing, seeing these bass chase schools of shad is like watching nature's own action movie.
White Bass run thick in Cherokee Lake during certain times of year, creating some of the most exciting surface action you'll ever witness. These silver bullets travel in massive schools and when they're feeding, the water looks like it's boiling with activity. They're smaller than their striped bass cousins but make up for it with sheer numbers and aggressive feeding behavior. Spring and fall are prime times to spot their feeding frenzies, and the birds diving on the action make it even more dramatic.
Striped Bass are the lake's apex predators and seeing one of these monsters roll on the surface will get your heart pumping. These fish can exceed 20 pounds in Cherokee Lake and they're built like torpedoes. They prefer deeper, cooler water during summer but move shallow during spring and fall. Spotting a school of stripers herding baitfish is one of those wildlife moments that sticks with you forever. The captain knows their seasonal patterns and can often position us to witness their hunting behavior.
Smallmouth Bass might be smaller than their largemouth relatives, but pound-for-pound they're the hardest fighting fish in the lake. They love rocky areas, points, and deeper structure where they ambush crayfish and small fish. Cherokee Lake's clear water and rocky bottom provide perfect smallmouth habitat. These bronze fighters are most active during cooler months and early morning, making them perfect for our tour schedule. Watching them dart between the rocks is like seeing underwater lightning.
Blue Catfish are the gentle giants of Cherokee Lake, sometimes reaching impressive sizes in the deeper channels. While they're not as visible as the other species, the captain knows spots where you might catch glimpses of these whiskered bottom-dwellers. They're more active at night, but during our morning tours, you'll learn about their habits and the important role they play in the lake's ecosystem. These cats can live for decades and grow to enormous sizes, making them a fascinating part of Cherokee Lake's underwater community.
At $400 for up to 2 guests, this top-rated wildlife tour delivers incredible value for a 3-hour adventure on one of East Tennessee's most beautiful lakes. Additional passengers are welcome at $60 each, making it affordable for families or small groups to experience Cherokee Lake together. The early 6 AM start time means you'll beat the crowds and see the lake at its most peaceful, when wildlife activity is at its peak. Make sure to contact the captain in advance to confirm your exact meeting spot and start time – he knows the lake conditions better than anyone and can provide valuable tips for your tour. Don't forget that 20-25% gratuity for your captain, who'll work hard to make sure you have an amazing experience on the water. Whether you're visiting East Tennessee or you're a local looking to see your backyard from a new perspective, this Cherokee Lake tour offers memories that'll last a lifetime.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are our lake giants, often reaching 25-46 inches and weights over 80 pounds. These slate-blue bruisers patrol deep holes and channels, especially near creek mouths and muddy bottoms. They're opportunistic feeders active year-round, but summer nights produce the biggest fish. Guests love the potential for trophy-sized catches and the excellent eating - firm, mild fillets perfect for the dinner table. Their powerful runs will test heavy tackle too. Look for them scavenging below feeding stripers during the day. Local secret: use fresh-cut herring or skipjack on the bottom in 20-40 feet of water. Let it sit still - they're not chasing fast-moving baits. Heavy gloves help with these slimy fighters when landing them.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the lake's top predators, running 12-24 inches and averaging 1-4 pounds. You'll spot their olive-green bodies with dark horizontal stripes near shallow cover - fallen trees, weed beds, and rocky points. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding in warmer water. What makes them special is that oversized mouth and the fight they put up - they'll jump and run hard once hooked. The meat's decent eating from clean water too. Here's a local trick: cast soft plastics right into the thick stuff where most folks won't throw. These fish aren't easily spooked, so don't be afraid to work that bait right through heavy cover where the big ones hide.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouths are pound-for-pound the strongest fighters in the lake, typically running 12-18 inches with bronze-colored bodies and red eyes. They love rocky structure - bluff walls, boulder piles, and gravel points in 10-25 feet of water. Cool weather brings the best fishing in spring and fall when they're active in moderate temperatures. What makes them special is that incredible fight - they'll jump repeatedly and never quit. The firm, mild meat is top-notch eating too. Around Cherokee, focus on the rocky north end where the water stays cooler. Here's my secret: use smaller baits than you think - a 3-inch tube or small jig often outfishes bigger lures. Work it slow along the bottom where they ambush crawfish.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the lake's heavyweight champions, averaging 20-40 pounds with those distinctive dark horizontal stripes. They cruise open water and deep channels, following schools of shad year-round. You'll find them around submerged structures and drop-offs, especially where creeks enter the main lake. Early morning and evening produce the best fishing when they move shallow to feed. Guests love the power these fish pack - they're strong swimmers that make long runs and test your gear. The meat's excellent too, sweet and firm like their saltwater cousins. Pro tip: watch for birds diving on baitfish - that's your sign stripers are feeding below. Get there fast with live bait or large swimbaits and hold on tight.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are scrappy silver fighters that run 10-12 inches, though some reach 18 inches here on Cherokee. Look for them in open water chasing schools of shad - you'll see the surface boiling when they're feeding. They love moving water and hang around points and creek channels. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up tight and feed aggressively. What guests love is the non-stop action - catch one and there's usually a dozen more nearby. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: when you find a school, keep your boat positioned just outside the feeding frenzy and cast small jigs or spoons right into the chaos. White-colored lures work best in our clear water.
Cherokee Lake