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Located about 25 miles upstream from Nashville TN, Old Hickory Lake offers outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have many activities to choose from including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, and water skiing. Many species of wildlife, including abundant populations of waterfowl and wading birds, make nature study and photography additional exciting pastimes.
The Old Hickory Lock and Dam impounds the lake. It is located on the Cumberland River in Sumner and Davidson Counties, Tennessee. The city of Hendersonville sits on the northern shoreline of the lake. The city of Old Hickory is located on the southern side of Old Hickory Lake, just upstream of the lock and dam. The lake extends 97.3 miles upstream to Cordell Hull Lock and Dam near Carthage, Tennessee.
The reservoir contains 22,500 surface acres at an elevation of 445 feet above sea level. Water level fluctuations are minimal with normal elevation at 442 feet. Public facilities include nine marinas, three campgrounds, and 41 boat access sites. Despite its murky appearance, studies show Old Hickory Lake one of the cleanest in Tennessee.
Old Hickory Lake: Boating
Boating is an enjoyable and popular sport on Old Hickory Lake. Pleasure boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, water skiers, fishing boats and commercial barges all share the waters on Old Hickory Lake.
Eight commercial marinas that provide a wide variety of services for visitors to Old Hickory Lake. Services such as fuel, long and short-term moorage, fishing and boating supplies, restaurants, groceries and restrooms are all available on Old Hickory Lake.
Old Hickory Lake: Fishing
Bank fishing areas with accessible fishing piers exist at Rockland, Sanders Ferry, Shutes Branch, and Bledsoe Creek State Park. These piers can be accessed from parking areas via paved paths. Fish attractors are maintained in close proximity to these structures.
Eighteen fish attractor sites designated with marked buoys are maintained by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Cedar trees are suspended to attract and concentrate fish for anglers. These sites are very popular and productive for bass and crappie fishing. bullet
The most popular fish species are Black Bass (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass), True Bass, Striped Bass (Rockfish), White Bass, Sauger, and Crappie.
Old Hickory Lake: Trails
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides a segment of the Nashville Greenways for public use. Rest stops are provided. This trail has three loops that all return along a railroad bed:
* Woodland Loop: Along this loop is a wildlife viewing blind. Here, behind this wood wall you can watch for wildlife without them being aware of your presence. Along this loop you can see signs of woodchucks, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, meadow mice and other small animals living in this area.
* Willow Swamp Loop: This loop has a boardwalk crossing an area where water drainage is poor. Stop for a time along the boardwalk. You will experience the feel of a swamp caused by high humidity. You will also notice the pungent odor of decaying vegetation, which is characteristic of swamps.
* Wildlife Loop: The Corps of Engineers planted a pine forest along this loop in 1967. The pines have grown large enough to provide protection from the weather. As you leave the pine forest you will approach the pond. Take time on the fishing platform and observe what?s going on around you.
Old Hickory Lake: Camping
Camping is allowed in designated camping areas only. Corps of Engineers designated camping areas on Old Hickory Lake are Cages Bend and Cedar Creek.
Old Hickory Lake: Fee Areas
Old Hickory Lake has several day use fee areas located at Cedar Creek, Laguardo, and Old Hickory Beach. Each area offers great swim beaches, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and launching ramps. The daily cost (2008) is $4/vehicle.
* Rockland: Located in Hendersonville, TN, Rockland offers four reservable shelters, one with kitchen facilities, gazebo, fishing platform, playground, boat launch ramp, sand volleyball, several picnic sites, and restroom facilities. Rockland is the perfect choice for larger gatherings.
* Lock 3: Located in Hendersonville, TN, Lock 3 offers a sand beach, picnic sites, a boat launch ramp, and restroom facilities.
* Shutes Branch: Located in Mt. Juliet, TN, Shutes Branch offers picnic sites, boat launch ramp, fishing platform, and restroom facilities. bullet
* Avondale: Located in Gallatin, TN, Avondale offers a reservable group picnic shelter, picnic sites, boat launch ramp, and restroom facilities.
* Cedar Creek: Located in Mt. Juliet, TN, Cedar Creek offers a reservable group picnic shelter, picnic sites, sand beach, sand volleyball, boat launch ramp, playground, and restroom facilities.
* Lone Branch: Located in Mt. Juliet, TN, Lone Branch offers a reservable group picnic shelter, picnic sites, boat launch ramp, and restroom facilities.
* Nat Caldwell: Located in Hendersonville, TN, Nat Caldwell offers a reservable group picnic shelter, nearby boat launch ramp, and restroom facilities.
* Old Hickory Beach: Located in Old Hickory, TN, Old Hickory Beach offers a reservable group picnic shelter, sand beach, boat launch ramp, playground, and restroom facilities.
* Laguardo: Located in Laguardo, TN, Laguardo offers a reservable group picnic shelter, sand beach, picnic sites, playground, boat launch ramp, and restroom facilities.
Old Hickory Lake: History
Old Hickory Lock and Dam was authorized for construction by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1946. The project was designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Construction started in January 1952, and the dam closed in June 1954. Old Hickory Lake completed the filling process in December 1957. The lock, dam, powerhouse and lake are operated and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Old Hickory Lake is an impoundment on the Cumberland River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Source: US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District
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