Norris Lake has over 800 miles of shoreline. There are two state wildlife management areas, three state parks, boat docks, county parks, and public access areas. Norris extends 56 miles up the Powell River and 72 miles up the Clinch River. The lake has a surface area of more than 34,000 acres. Located in an area of ridges and valleys, it has an abundance of secluded coves.
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Cove Lake, Big Ridge and the area around Norris Dam where TVA established demonstration public parks, later became the nucleus of Tennessee’s state park system. The State of Tennessee administers two large game management areas, three state parks and 59 public access areas. There are three county parks.
The first dam built by the Tennessee Valley Authority created Norris Lake. A hydroelectric dam whose construction was completed in 1936. Norris has the largest flood control storage of any of the TVA dams on a tributary of the Tennessee River.
TVA originally acquired a broad strip of shoreline around Norris Lake. TVA has retained a continuous shoreline strip of about 22,000 acres of some of the most beautiful land in Tennessee for future recreational development.
Famous for striped bass or rockfish, Norris Lake is well known to anglers for its trophy-size bass and walleye – as well as beautiful catches of black crappie. Clear, deep water produces excellent catches of rockfish, walleye, and bass, as well as the usual species found in other area lakes. June through September night fishing for smallmouth bass, crappie, white bass, and walleye is a popular activity.
Largemouth (May-June) uses light tackles and fish deep. Smallmouth (April-May), (Jan-Feb) fishing live bait off points. Crappie (Late April-May) near fish attractors. Walleye (Feb.-March) in the headwaters, sometimes at night in the summer trolling in the lake. Catfish (spring and summer), Strippers (April-May) can be caught through the summer fishing live bait in open water. State record stands at 49lbs and is from Norris in 1978. Bluegill, (Spring-through Fall)
The 13-mile stretch of the Clinch River below Norris Dam is a scenic float trip and a renowned trout stream. This stretch of river extends to the Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery, a 100-acre complex operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.
Two small wild areas on Norris Lake provide the visitors with a mini “wilderness experience”. The Norris reservation has three hiking trails. River Bluff trail is the longest at 3.1 miles and features a fantastic display of spring and summer wildflowers. The Edge Path is a shady corridor with wheelchair access. The Songbird Trail lives up to its name and is a popular area for birding.
Boat Docks, Watercraft Rentals, and Campgrounds on Norris Lake are listed below:
Andersonville Boat Dock & Marina
408 Dock Road
Andersonville, TN 37705
Beach Island Marina
170 Beach Island Rd, Maynardville, TN 37807-5042
865-992-3091
Blue Springs Marina
680 Blue Springs Rd, Speedwell, TN 37870
423-562-9953
Cedar Grove Marina and Campground
136 Campground Road
New Tazewell, TN 37824
Flat Hollow Resort
185 Flat Hollow Dock Circle, Speedwell, TN 37870
423-562-8314
Hickory Star Campground and Marina
1360 Hickory Star Road
Maynardville, TN 37807
Indian River Marina
740 Indian River Boat Dock Road
Jacksboro, TN 37757
Lone Mountain Dock
325 Lone Mountain Boat Dock Lane, Tazewell, TN 37879
423-626-9437
Norris Dam Marina
1604 Norris Highway
Lake City, TN 37769
Norris Landing Marina
1015 Marina Landing Road, Tazewell, TN 37879
423-626-1818
Powell Valley Resort
Rt. 1 Box 287
LaFollette, TN 37766
Sequoyah Lodge and Marina
336 Lake View Lane
Andersonville, TN 37705
Shanghai Resort
1042 Shanghai Road, LaFollette, TN 37766
423-562-7651
Springs Dock Resort
1652 Alder Springs Road, LaFollette, Tennessee 37766
423-562-2405
Stardust Resort and Marina
149 Stardust Lane
Andersonville, TN
Straight Creek Dock
775 Straight Creek Road
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Sugar Hollow Marina
610 Marina Lane, LaFollette, TN 37766
423-562-3466
Twin Cove Resort & Marina
1835 Ridge Road, Caryville, TN 37714
423-566-0976
Waterside Marina
408 Dock Road, Andersonville, TN 37705
865-494-9649
Whittman Hollow Marina
1203 Whitman Hollow Road, LaFollette,TN 37766
423-562-9941
Mountain Lake Marina and Campground
136 Campground Road
Lake City, TN
Mountain Lake Marina and Campground
225 Dock Lane
Lake City, TN 37769
TVA Loyston Point Campground
The Park has two camping areas with 25 sites in the east section and 50 sites in the west section of the park. Sites have tables, grills, and electrical and water hookups, while some sites in the primitive section lack these facilities. Modern bathhouses and dump stations are provided, and a Laundromat is located near the park Village Green Complex adjacent to the pool and recreation center. Sites are available only on a first-come, first serve basis, and maximum stay limit is limit is two weeks. A primitive camping area is available to scout and other youth groups by reservation only.