Norris Lake is a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reservoir of about 33,840 acres in East Tennessee, north of Knoxville, formed by Norris Dam on the Clinch River. It reaches into five counties, has 809 miles of shoreline, and was the first dam TVA built. It is known for deep water, striped bass, walleye and smallmouth, marinas you can boat to for dinner, houseboats and a water level that rises and falls with the seasons.
In this guide
- Where Is Norris Lake?
- What Is Norris Lake Known For?
- Norris Lake at a Glance
- History of Norris Lake
- Norris Lake Boating Guide
- Norris Lake Fishing Guide
- Best Things to Do at Norris Lake
- Best Places to Visit Around Norris Lake
- Norris Lake Towns and Communities
- Norris Lake Vacation Guide
- Norris Lake Family Activities
- What Should You Bring to Norris Lake?
- Local Knowledge: TVA's First Lake and the Valley Under It
- Questions People Ask About Norris Lake
- Norris Lake Gifts & Apparel
Where Is Norris Lake?
Norris Lake is a reservoir in East Tennessee, lying across Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Union counties. Norris Dam sits on the Clinch River off U.S. Highway 441 in the town of Norris, and the lake reaches about 73 miles up the Clinch River and 56 miles up the Powell River, according to TVA. Beach Island Resort & Marina describes its location in Sharps Chapel as about 20 miles north of Knoxville.
The lake touches many small towns. Marinas and parks are spread between Norris and Rocky Top near the dam, Andersonville, Maynardville and Sharps Chapel, LaFollette, Caryville, Speedwell and Tazewell. Twin Cove Resort & Marina says it is on Interstate 75 at exit 134 in Caryville. Because the lake is so long and has so many arms, check where a marina or park sits before you book, since a drive between two arms can be long.
What Is Norris Lake Known For?
Norris Lake is known for its history, its size and its fishing.
- The first TVA dam. Norris Dam was the first dam TVA built, and TVA says the lake is the largest reservoir on a tributary of the Tennessee River.
- Striped bass, walleye and smallmouth. TWRA lists striped bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye, smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass, crappie, muskellunge and paddlefish among its species.
- Deep, long shoreline. TVA counts 809 miles of shoreline, much of it in coves and creek arms.
- Marinas you can boat to. Several marinas run lakeside restaurants, and Norris Landing Marina says it offers boat docking for restaurant visitors.
- Houseboats. Beach Island Resort & Marina rents houseboats, and a secondary boat is required for its houseboat rentals.
- State parks with a TVA history. TVA says its 1930s demonstration parks at Cove Lake, Big Ridge and near Norris Dam formed the core of Tennessee's state park system.
- A drowned valley. The town of Loyston and thousands of graves and homesites lie under or were moved from the reservoir.
Norris Lake at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | TVA reservoir on the Clinch and Powell rivers |
| Location | Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Union counties, Tennessee |
| Surface area | 33,840 acres, per TVA (TWRA gives 34,200 acres flooded at closure) |
| Shoreline | 809 miles, per TVA |
| Length | About 73 miles up the Clinch River and 56 miles up the Powell River from the dam, per TVA |
| Depth | Maximum about 210 feet and average about 75 feet, per Wikipedia |
| Elevation | About 1,020 feet above sea level, per Wikipedia |
| Dam | Norris Dam on the Clinch River, 265 feet high and 1,860 feet long |
| Construction | Began in 1933 and completed in 1936 |
| Seasonal drawdown | About 29 feet from summer to winter in a normal rainfall year, per TVA. TWRA says it can exceed 45 feet |
| Flood storage | 1,113,000 acre-feet, per TVA |
| Purposes | Flood control, navigation and electricity, per TVA |
| Manager | Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) |
| Main activities | Boating, fishing, houseboating, swimming, hiking, camping |
Figures are as published by TVA, TWRA and Wikipedia, and checked October 2026. Sources use different measuring dates and water levels, so the numbers vary slightly.
History of Norris Lake
Why the lake was built
Norris Dam was the first major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority, created in May 1933 as part of the New Deal, according to Wikipedia. Its main purpose was flood control, and TVA says its original plan was to provide flood control, navigation and electricity.
Building the dam
Wikipedia reports that construction began on October 1, 1933 and that the dam was completed and its gates closed on March 4, 1936, with the first generator going online on July 28, 1936. TVA describes a dam 265 feet high and 1,860 feet long. Wikipedia notes the dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. TVA built the town of Norris for workers and their families, and the town was sold in 1948, according to TVA.
What the lake covered
According to Wikipedia, about 2,841 families were relocated and 5,226 graves were moved for the reservoir, although other estimates are about 3,000 families and 5,300 graves. One lost community was Loyston, in Big Valley in Union County. Wikipedia says it had about 70 residents in 1935. Today a mile-wide section of the lake there is known as the "Loyston Sea," and the Loyston Dike, a saddle dam along Highway 61 just west of Big Ridge State Park, keeps water from escaping into the Buffalo Creek Valley. In 2008 the Museum of Appalachia accepted a children's playhouse from Loyston, described as the last intact building from the community.
The state parks
TVA says it set up demonstration parks at Cove Lake, Big Ridge and near Norris Dam, and that these later formed the core of Tennessee's state park system. Wikipedia reports that the Civilian Conservation Corps built much of Big Ridge State Park from 1934, including cabins and a sandy beach, and that the east section of Norris Dam State Park began as a CCC demonstration project.
Norris Lake Boating Guide
Norris Lake is a long, deep TVA reservoir with marinas spread along its arms, public swimming areas that are closed to boats, and a water level that changes through the year. Boaters need to know where the marinas are, how the drawdown affects the shoreline, and which Tennessee rules apply. This section covers each one.
Boat ramps and public access
Norris Lake has public ramps, marina ramps and state park launches. We did not find a single official TVA list of ramps, so this guide names only the access points we could confirm.
| Access point | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Norris Dam Marina | Just west of Norris Dam, Norris Dam State Park | Tennessee State Parks says cabin and campground guests can launch for free with proof of receipt at the marina |
| Big Ridge State Park boat launch | Western section of the park, Union County | Wikipedia reports the park maintains a boat launch on Norris Lake. Wikipedia says private boats are not allowed on Big Ridge Lake. The park's boating page notes the ramp can be unusable at low lake levels, so check it first |
| Anderson County Park ramps | Anderson County Park (confirm location and public access with Anderson County) | Tennessee rules require slow, no wake speed near the ramps from April 15 to September 15. See the boating rules section |
| Marina ramps and rentals | Throughout the lake | See the marinas table |
Parking and fees at public ramps change, so check the owner's page before you go. TVA describes the lake's recreation on its Norris page.
Marinas and rentals
Norris Lake has many marinas, and each sets its own age, deposit and license rules. As of October 2026, these businesses had rental information on their own sites. Prices and seasons change, so use the links.
| Marina | Where | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Resort & Marina | 1042 Shanghai Rd, LaFollette | Pontoon, tri-toon, ski, surf boat and jet ski rentals, a grill and lodging. Its site says the surf boat requires renters to be 30 or older | (423) 562-7651 |
| Twin Cove Resort & Marina | 1835 Ridge Road, Caryville | Pontoon, tritoon, ski boat and jet ski rentals and a restaurant. Its jet ski rules require the driver to be over 21 | (423) 566-0976 |
| Hickory Star Resort & Marina | 1360 Hickory Star Rd, Maynardville | Pontoon rentals by phone, Arjay's Grill and lodging | (800) 235-6866 |
| Blue Springs Boat Dock | 680 Blue Springs Road, Speedwell | Pontoon rentals booked online | (423) 562-9953 |
| Beach Island Resort & Marina | 170 Beach Island Rd, Maynardville | Houseboats, pontoons and ski boats. Renters must be 21 or older | (865) 992-3091 |
| Stardust Marina | 149 Stardust Lane, Andersonville | Pontoon rentals, houseboat inquiries and the Harbor Grill | (865) 409-2296 |
| Norris Landing Marina | 1015 Marina Landing Road, Tazewell | Pontoon and jon boat rentals and Jimmy's Place restaurant. Renters must be 21 or older | (423) 626-1818 |
| Sugar Hollow Resort & Marina | 610 Marina Ln, LaFollette | Watercraft rentals and an inflatable water park. Its site says renters must be 21 or older | (423) 562-3466 |
Rental prices, hours and seasons are on each marina's site and change, so this guide does not copy them. Many marinas operate seasonally, so call before you plan a trip in the off-season. Other marinas on the lake include Flat Hollow Marina & Resort in Speedwell and Sequoyah Marina in Andersonville.
Popular areas and navigation
TWRA names several productive crappie areas, including the back of Big Sycamore Creek, Davis Creek and Big Creek, and the upper river sections above Point 15 on the Powell River and Point 31 on the Clinch River. The lake runs from the dam upstream to the Highway 25E bridge on the Clinch River arm and to Gap Creek on the Powell River arm, according to TWRA.
Because the water level rises and falls through the year, the shoreline, shoals and submerged objects change with it. We did not find a TVA hazard list for Norris, so use a current chart or navigation app and stay in marked channels.
Water level and how to check it
TVA manages Norris Lake for flood control and power, so the level changes through the year. TVA says the lake drops about 29 feet from summer to winter in a normal rainfall year, and TWRA says the annual fluctuation can exceed 45 feet. A May 2024 local news report said TVA aims to have its lakes at summer levels by June 1 and lowers them in winter to make room for runoff.
Check the live level before you go. TVA publishes the lake's level and we cannot read it automatically, so the box below sends you to TVA's page.
Lake level today: TVA publishes Norris Lake's level and changes it through the year. Check the official page for today's reading: TVA's Norris Reservoir page.
Swimming areas and no-wake zones
Tennessee's rule for Norris Reservoir (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-02-07-.28) sets these lake-specific boating restrictions:
- Loyston Beach on Mill Creek and the Anderson County Park swimming beach are marked swimming areas, and all vessels are prohibited inside the "No Boating" buoys.
- Anderson County Park ramps: from April 15 to September 15, motorboats must run at slow, no wake speed in the buoyed area and may not tow a person on skis, a surfboard or a similar device.
Boating rules
These are the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) rules most visitors need, as published on the TWRA's boating pages and read in October 2026:
- Boater education (TWRA boating education): Anyone born after January 1, 1989 who runs a motorized vessel of more than 8.5 horsepower on Tennessee waters needs a boating safety certificate. Tennessee residents must carry the TWRA-issued card; non-residents may show a NASBLA-approved boating safety certificate from any state. Vessels of 8.5 horsepower or less and sailboats under sail alone are exempt.
- Age to operate (Boating Handbook): A child under 12 may run a motorized vessel of more than 8.5 horsepower only with a supervisor aboard who is at least 18 and able to take immediate control. No one under 16 may rent a personal watercraft.
- Life jackets (TWRA regulations and safety): Every boat must carry one Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket in the right size for each person aboard or being towed, and boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry a throwable device. Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket on the open deck of a recreational boat unless it is anchored, moored or aground. Everyone on a personal watercraft must wear one. Inflatable life jackets are not accepted for anyone under 16 or on a personal watercraft.
- Boating under the influence (Boating Handbook): It is illegal to operate any boat under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both, and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more is presumed to mean under the influence. A first conviction carries at least 48 consecutive hours in jail, or at least 7 days if the level is 0.20% or more.
- Idle speed and no wake (Boating Handbook): Stay at idle speed (the slowest speed that still keeps steering) within 300 feet of a commercial vessel dock and in any area marked No Wake. Slow to no wake speed within 100 feet of a law enforcement boat showing flashing blue lights, and within 200 feet of a divers-down flag, and stay at least 50 feet from it. A personal watercraft must stay at idle speed near ramps, docks and the shoreline.
- Wake sports and towing (Boating Handbook): Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are not allowed between sunset and sunrise, on water less than 50 acres, where the water is less than 400 feet wide, or within 200 feet of a shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse or other structure, and everyone doing it must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket. Towing skiers or tubers is not allowed between sunset and sunrise, and the boat needs an observer who is at least 12 or a wide-angle rearview mirror.
- Renting (Boating Handbook): No one under 16 may rent a personal watercraft. Each rental business sets its own other rules, such as a minimum age and a boating safety certificate, so ask before you book.
- Houseboat toilets (sewage) (TWRA regulations and safety): Discharging untreated sewage into any public water is illegal. On waters TWRA lists as no-discharge reservoirs, a boat with a toilet must keep waste in a holding tank until it is pumped out ashore, and marinas on public water must provide pump-out service.
More on Norris Lake
- Floating homes. TVA adopted rules in 2020 that required floating home owners to register and permit their homes and allowed no new floating houses, according to a July 2020 WVLT report. Those are dated rules, so check TVA before you buy or rent one.
- Houseboat sewage. The houseboat toilet rule above applies on Tennessee public waters. We did not confirm whether Norris is on TWRA's no-discharge list, so ask your houseboat or marina operator about pump-out.
Seasons and kinds of boating
Most boating is pontoon and tritoon cruising, ski and wake boats, fishing boats, houseboats and personal watercraft. Many boat rental companies operate seasonally, so the busy months run from late spring to early fall, once TVA has filled the lake. Tennessee's wake sport rules keep wakeboarding and wakesurfing at least 200 feet from shorelines, docks and structures, so the open main channels are the place for it.
Norris Lake Fishing Guide
Norris Lake is a deep reservoir known for striped bass, walleye and smallmouth bass, with largemouth and spotted bass, crappie and catfish as well. This section covers what lives in the lake, where people fish, the rules, and what to know before eating your catch.
Fish species and seasons
TWRA lists these species in Norris Reservoir: largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, striped and hybrid striped bass, black crappie, walleye, sauger, paddlefish, white and yellow bass, rock bass, redear sunfish, muskellunge, bluegill, warmouth and catfish. TWRA says the best smallmouth fishing is from November to April, and that it stocks striped bass, crappie and walleye each year. TWRA lists the Tennessee state record striped bass, 49.5 pounds, as caught in Norris in April 1978.
Where and how people fish
Anglers fish from boats and from the bank. TWRA names the back of Big Sycamore Creek, Davis Creek and Big Creek, and the upper river sections above Point 15 and Point 31, as productive for crappie. Below the dam, TVA says the Clinch River tailwater is used for kayaking, rafting and trout fishing, and that the Tennessee state record brown trout came from the Clinch River below the dam.
Regulations and licenses
Check the current Tennessee Fishing Regulations from TWRA before you fish, and the lake's own entry, because many reservoirs have their own limits. As of the TWRA guide updated in September 2026:
- License (TWRA license fees): Anglers 13 and older need a Tennessee fishing license (no license is required at 12 and under). As of September 2026, a resident one-day license is $6 without trout or $11 with trout, a resident combination hunt and fish license is $33 for ages 16 to 64, and a junior license for ages 13 to 15 is $9. Nonresidents 16 and older pay $49 for a year without trout or $98 for all species, $20 or $40 for 3 days, or $30 or $61 for 10 days. Trout fishing needs an all-species license or the trout supplement.
- Black bass: The statewide limit is 5 black bass per day in any combination, with no statewide length limit. Many reservoirs add their own limits, so check the lake's entry.
- Crappie: 15 per day in combination, at least 10 inches long, unless the lake has its own limit.
- Walleye: 5 per day, at least 16 inches.
- Catfish: No daily limit on catfish 34 inches or shorter, and only one catfish longer than 34 inches may be kept per day.
- Trout: 7 per day in total across species, with no length limit.
Norris Lake has its own limits for some species. TWRA's Norris Reservoir page lists lake limits that differ from the statewide limits above. The page is undated, so confirm each limit in the current Tennessee Fishing Regulations before you keep a fish:
| Species | Norris Reservoir rule on TWRA's page |
|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 per day combined with smallmouth, 14-inch minimum |
| Smallmouth bass | 1 per day from June 1 to October 15 and 5 per day from October 16 to May 31, counted with largemouth. The page gives conflicting minimum lengths, so check the current regulations |
| Spotted bass | No creel or length limit |
| Crappie | 10 per day combined, 10-inch minimum (lower than the statewide 15) |
| Striped and hybrid striped bass | 2 per day combined, 15-inch minimum, from April 1 to October 31. From November 1 to March 31, 1 per day, 36-inch minimum. This applies on the Clinch River upstream to the Highway 61 bridge in Clinton |
| Walleye and sauger | 5 per day combined, 15-inch minimum, upstream to Grissom Island on the Clinch River |
| Muskellunge | 1 per day, 36-inch minimum |
| Paddlefish | 2 per day, with a season from April 24 to May 31 |
| White bass | 15 per day, no length limit |
TWRA's Region 4 office, which covers Norris, can be reached at 423-587-7037.
Eating your catch. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) issues fish consumption advisories. A WBIR report (undated) described a precautionary mercury advisory for largemouth bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass and sauger on the Clinch River portion of Norris Reservoir, advising children and pregnant or nursing women to avoid those species and others to limit them to one meal a month. TDEC's advisory page does not list waterbodies, so confirm the current advisory at 1-888-891-8332 before you cook a catch. A fish advisory is about eating fish, not about swimming or boating.
Guides and fishing culture
Rocky Top Reels, which runs trips from Mountain Lake Marina in Rocky Top, advertises guided striper and smallmouth charters. Its booking page was live in October 2026, but we could not confirm recent activity, so call (865) 804-4257 to check. Confirm any guide's license and insurance when you book.
Best Things to Do at Norris Lake
- Boat to dinner. Norris Landing Marina's Jimmy's Place offers boat docking for restaurant visitors, according to the marina's site, Hickory Star's site says Arjay's Grill is "located on the water," and Stardust bills its Harbor Grill as a dock-and-dine stop. Hours and seasons change, so call first.
- Rent a pontoon or houseboat. See the marinas table.
- Fish for striped bass, walleye and smallmouth. See the fishing guide.
- Swim at a beach. Big Ridge State Park has a sandy beach that is open in the summer months, and Loyston Beach and the Anderson County Park beach are marked swimming areas.
- Hike and bike at TVA's Norris Dam area. TVA lists the River Bluff Trail at 3.1 miles, the Songbird Trail for birding, and Loyston Point for mountain biking.
- Hike the state parks. Big Ridge State Park has more than 15 miles of trails, including the 1.5 mile Lake Trail and the 2.6 mile Indian Rock Loop, according to Wikipedia. Norris Dam State Park has short trails including the Tall Timbers and Sinkhole trails.
- Visit Norris Dam. TVA's Norris Dam Visitor Center, at 1810 Norris Hwy, covers TVA's history and the generating facility, and is open seasonally.
- Learn Appalachian history. The Lenoir Museum at Norris Dam State Park is free, and the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton holds the Loyston playhouse.
- Paddle the Clinch River tailwater. TVA lists kayaking, rafting and trout fishing below the dam.
Best Places to Visit Around Norris Lake
| Place | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Norris Dam State Park | 125 Village Green Circle, Rocky Top | About 4,000 acres with 10 standard cabins, 19 historic CCC cabins and a historic cottage, a marina, the free Lenoir Museum, a 1798 gristmill and a threshing barn. Check the park page for campground status. Reservations 1-888-867-2757 |
| Big Ridge State Park | 1015 Big Ridge Park Road, Maynardville | A 3,687 acre park opened in 1934 with rustic CCC-era cabins, 50 campsites, a sandy beach, a small lake of its own and more than 15 miles of trails. Phone 865-992-5523 |
| TVA Norris Dam and Visitor Center | Norris Dam, off Highway 441, Norris | TVA history, the powerhouse and trails. The visitor center is open seasonally, so check TVA |
| Museum of Appalachia | 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton | A heritage museum that holds the last intact Loyston building, a children's playhouse. Phone 865-494-7680 |
| Sugar Hollow Resort & Marina | 610 Marina Ln, LaFollette | An inflatable water park and the Galley bar. Check the site for the season |
Hours, seasons and status change, so check each owner's page.
Norris Lake Towns and Communities
| Town | County | Known for | Relationship to the lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norris | Anderson | A planned town TVA built for dam workers, sold in 1948, per TVA | Sits just below Norris Dam, with the TVA visitor center and the Lenoir Museum nearby |
| Rocky Top | Anderson | The address of Norris Dam State Park and Mountain Lake Marina | Near Norris Dam |
| Andersonville | Anderson | Stardust Marina and Sequoyah Marina | Marinas in the Andersonville area |
| Maynardville and Sharps Chapel | Union | Big Ridge State Park, Hickory Star and Beach Island | Marinas and Big Ridge State Park |
| LaFollette | Campbell | Shanghai Resort & Marina and Sugar Hollow Resort & Marina | Marinas in the LaFollette area |
| Caryville | Campbell | Twin Cove Resort & Marina, near I-75 exit 134 | Northern gateway from the interstate |
| Speedwell and Tazewell | Claiborne | Blue Springs Boat Dock, Flat Hollow Marina, Norris Landing Marina and Jimmy's Place | Marinas in the Speedwell and Tazewell area |
| Clinton | Anderson | The Museum of Appalachia | A short drive from the lake |
Norris Lake Vacation Guide
When to visit
A May 2024 news report said TVA aims to have its lakes at summer levels by June 1, so late spring through early fall is the main boating season, and many marinas operate seasonally. TWRA says the best smallmouth fishing runs from November to April, so fall and winter bring anglers rather than pontoons. The shoreline and swimming beaches change with the water level, so check TVA's level page before you book a trip around swimming or ramps.
Where to stay
- State park cabins. Norris Dam State Park has 10 standard cabins and 19 historic CCC cabins, and Big Ridge State Park has rustic CCC-era cabins. As of October 2026, Big Ridge's page said its cabins were closed for renovation, so check it first. Check the parks' pages for rates, minimum stays and seasons.
- Camping. Big Ridge has a 50-site campground, and Norris Dam State Park has east and west campgrounds. The park's page listed them as closed for renovation as of October 2026, so check it first.
- Marina lodging. Shanghai Resort & Marina, Hickory Star Resort & Marina and Blue Springs Boat Dock all list marina-run lodging on their sites.
- Houseboats. Beach Island Resort & Marina rents houseboats and requires a secondary boat for each rental.
Where to eat
Norris Landing Marina's Jimmy's Place, Hickory Star's Arjay's Grill, Stardust's Harbor Grill, Shanghai's Castaways Grill & Bar, and Flat Hollow's Twisted Pickle are marina restaurants. Norris Landing Marina's site says it offers boat docking for restaurant visitors, and Stardust, Flat Hollow and Sequoyah advertise dock-and-dine or boat parking. Confirm docking with any restaurant before you arrive by water. Hours and seasons change.
What first-timers should know
- The lake is big. Pick a marina on the arm you want, since driving between arms can take a long time.
- The level changes. TVA lowers the lake in winter and aims for summer level by about June 1.
- Check swimming areas. The marked swimming beaches are closed to boats.
- Wear a life jacket. Tennessee requires one for every person aboard, and children 12 and younger must wear one on the open deck.
- Call ahead off-season. Many marinas operate seasonally.
Norris Lake Family Activities
- Swim beaches. Big Ridge State Park's sandy beach is on Big Ridge Lake, which Wikipedia says is closed to private boats.
- Water park. Sugar Hollow's inflatable water park has height rules, so check its page.
- Museums. The Lenoir Museum is free, and the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton is a heritage museum.
- Trails. Short loops at Norris Dam State Park and Big Ridge State Park suit children, and TVA's River Bluff Trail is 3.1 miles.
- Fishing. Anyone 13 or older needs a Tennessee fishing license. Children 12 and under do not.
What Should You Bring to Norris Lake?
- Life jackets for everyone. Tennessee requires one for each person aboard, and children 12 and younger must wear one on the open deck of a moving boat.
- Your boating safety certificate if you were born after January 1, 1989 and will run a boat of more than 8.5 horsepower (non-residents can show a NASBLA-approved certificate).
- A Tennessee fishing license if you are 13 or older and plan to fish Tennessee waters.
- Registration and safety gear for your own boat: registration, a throwable device on boats 16 feet or longer, navigation lights from sunset to sunrise, and a fire extinguisher where required. See the TWRA regulations page.
- A way to check the lake level. TVA publishes it, and it changes through the year.
- A chart or navigation app. The shoreline and shoals change with the level.
- Payment and reservations for marinas and parks. Many operate seasonally.
- Sun protection, water and a first aid kit. Many coves are far from stores.
Local Knowledge: TVA's First Lake and the Valley Under It
Loyston and the Loyston Sea
Loyston grew around a foundry that John Loy established in the early 19th century, according to Wikipedia, and its post office took the name Loyston in 1894. It was flooded when Norris Dam was completed in 1936. The mile-wide part of the lake over the old valley is called the Loyston Sea.
The dam that started TVA
TVA began Norris Dam in 1933, just a few months after the agency was created, and finished it in 1936. TVA says the reservoir is the largest on a tributary of the Tennessee River, and TVA says it set up 1930s demonstration parks at Cove Lake, Big Ridge and near Norris Dam. Cove Lake is a separate lake in Caryville, not part of Norris Lake.
A museum with a piece of Loyston
The Museum of Appalachia in Clinton accepted a children's playhouse from Loyston in 2008, described by Wikipedia as the last intact building from the community.
Floating neighborhoods
According to WVLT's July 2020 report, TVA had pushed to remove all floating houses by May 5, 2046, then agreed to a compromise: owners had to register their homes before 2021 and get a permit by January 1, 2024, and no new floating houses are allowed. Check TVA for the current status.
Questions People Ask About Norris Lake
Who runs Norris Lake, and what is it for?
The Tennessee Valley Authority operates Norris Lake. TVA says the original plan was to provide flood control, navigation and electricity. The public uses it for boating, fishing and swimming.
How big and how deep is Norris Lake?
TVA gives 33,840 acres of water surface and 809 miles of shoreline, extending about 73 miles up the Clinch River and 56 miles up the Powell River. Wikipedia gives a maximum depth of about 210 feet and an average of about 75 feet.
Why does the water level on Norris Lake change so much?
TVA lowers the lake in winter to make room for runoff and aims for summer level by about June 1, according to a May 2024 news report. TVA says the lake drops about 29 feet from summer to winter in a normal year, and TWRA says the fluctuation can exceed 45 feet. Check TVA's level page before you go.
What is under Norris Lake?
The reservoir flooded the town of Loyston and many farms and homesites. Wikipedia reports that about 2,841 families were relocated and 5,226 graves were moved. Part of the lake over the old Loyston valley is called the Loyston Sea.
Which counties and towns touch Norris Lake?
The lake lies in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Union counties. Marina and park towns include Norris, Rocky Top, Andersonville, Maynardville, LaFollette, Caryville, Speedwell and Tazewell.
What fish live in Norris Lake, and what are the limits?
TWRA lists striped bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye, smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass, crappie and catfish, among others. The lake has its own limits, such as 2 striped or hybrid bass a day from April 1 to October 31 and 10 crappie a day, so confirm them in the current regulations.
Can I eat the fish from Norris Lake?
A WBIR report described a precautionary mercury advisory for largemouth, striped and smallmouth bass and sauger on the Clinch River portion of Norris. Call TDEC at 1-888-891-8332 to confirm the current advisory before you eat your catch.
Where can I swim on Norris Lake?
Tennessee's rule marks Loyston Beach and the Anderson County Park swimming beach as areas where all vessels are prohibited. Big Ridge State Park also has a sandy beach on Big Ridge Lake that is open in the summer months.
Can I rent a houseboat on Norris Lake, and what about floating homes?
Beach Island Resort & Marina rents houseboats and requires a secondary boat with each rental. Privately owned floating homes fall under TVA's 2020 rules, which allowed no new floating houses, so ask TVA before you buy one.
Where can I boat to dinner on Norris Lake?
Norris Landing Marina says it offers boat docking for restaurant visitors who arrive from anywhere on the lake. Stardust, Flat Hollow and Sequoyah also advertise dock-and-dine or boat parking, but call before you go.
Norris Lake Gifts & Apparel
Lake Life Designs makes lake-specific products for people who love this lake. Our Norris Lake collection has tees, a hoodie, long sleeve shirts, a Dri-Fit long sleeve, a trucker hat, a tank, a canvas print, a ceramic ornament, a pillow and a kids tee. Our back-printed tees and long sleeves carry the lake on the back and a small Lake Life Designs logo on the front. Looking for a gift for someone who loves the lake? See our guide to Norris Lake gifts.
Details last verified October 2026. Parks, ramps, rentals, rules and the lake itself change with the season, so check the linked official pages before you go.
Sources: TVA, Norris Dam and Reservoir, TWRA, Norris Reservoir, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-02-07-.28, Norris Reservoir, TDEC, bacteriological and fishing advisories, WBIR, what's in Norris Lake, Wikipedia, Norris Lake, Wikipedia, Norris Dam, Wikipedia, Norris Dam State Park, Wikipedia, Big Ridge State Park, Wikipedia, Loyston, Tennessee, Tennessee State Parks, Norris Dam, Tennessee State Parks, Big Ridge, Courier News, Norris Lake summer level, WVLT, floating homes on Norris Lake, TWRA, boating regulations and safety, Museum of Appalachia