{{short description|Lake in Tennessee, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Nickajack Lake | image = USACE Nickajack Lock and Dam.jpg | caption = Nickajack Lock and Dam | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Marion / Hamilton counties, Tennessee | coords = {{coord|35|00|15|N|085|37|10|W|region:US-TN_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title}} | type = reservoir | inflow = Tennessee River | outflow = Tennessee River | catchment = | basin_countries = United States | length = | width = | area = | depth = | max-depth = {{convert|145|ft|abbr=on}} | volume = | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|633.5|ft|abbr=on}} | islands = | cities = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = Tennessee#USA | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Nickajack Lake in Tennessee, USA. | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = | reference = }}
'''Nickajack Lake''' is the reservoir created by Nickajack Dam as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The lake stretches from Nickajack Dam to Chickamauga Dam, passing through the city of Chattanooga. The Tennessee River Gorge, commonly referred to as the "Grand Canyon of Tennessee", is also part of Nickajack Lake.
Full pool for Nickajack Lake is approximately {{convert|633.5|ft}} above sea level, and remains consistent during the course of the year, unlike nearby Chickamauga Lake.
The world record for freshwater drum was caught from Nickajack Lake in 1972 by Benny Hull, and weighed in at {{convert|54|lb|8|oz}}.
A lake sturgeon was caught in Nickajack Lake in 2011. This was the first sighting of one in the lake since they left the area in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/biologists-attempt-catch-lake-sturgeon-effort-docu|title = Biologists attempt to catch lake sturgeon in effort to document health, movements|date = June 27, 2011|access-date = September 30, 2015|website = knoxnews.com|publisher = Knoxville News Sentinel|last = Simmons|first = Morgan}}</ref>
==See also== *Nickajack *Dams and reservoirs of the Tennessee River
==References== {{Reflist}} *{{cite web | url={{Gnis3|1295741}} | title=Nickajack Lake | work=Geographic Names Information System | publisher=United States Geological Survey | access-date=2006-05-02 }} *{{cite web | url=http://www.tva.com/river/lakeinfo/op_guides/nickajack.htm | title=Nickajack Lake Operating Guide | work=TVA's official site | publisher=TVA | access-date=2006-08-16}}
{{Lakes of Tennessee}} {{Chattanooga, Tennessee landmarks}}
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Category:Bodies of water of Hamilton County, Tennessee Category:Bodies of water of Marion County, Tennessee Category:Tennessee River Category:Reservoirs in Tennessee Category:Tennessee Valley Authority Category:Tourist attractions in Chattanooga, Tennessee Category:Geography of Chattanooga, Tennessee Category:Tourist attractions in Hamilton County, Tennessee Category:Tourist attractions in Marion County, Tennessee