Tennessee Musky Fishing Report – January 2026

Slow, deliberate winter presentations produced January muskies

Tennessee Musky Fishing Report for January 2026

January is when winter fully settles into Tennessee, and musky behavior reflects that shift clearly. Shorter days and colder water compress activity into narrow but often intense feeding windows. Success during this period is less about covering water and more about precise timing, stable environments, and disciplined presentation. When conditions align, January can produce some of the most deliberate and rewarding musky encounters of the year for anglers willing to fish with intention.

Current Conditions in Tennessee

January conditions across Tennessee musky waters are defined by cold stability rather than extreme fluctuation. Surface water temperatures are generally ranging from the high forties into the low fifties, with daily weather swings causing minor surface variation. Subsurface temperatures, however, remain remarkably consistent in the high forties across systems such as Melton Hill Reservoir and Great Falls.

Weather patterns remain characteristically erratic for Tennessee winters. Rapid shifts between mild and cold days are common, making real-time observation more valuable than forecasts alone. Dam operations continue to play a significant role, particularly on reservoir and tailwater systems, influencing current speed, water levels, and forage positioning. In January, these managed variables often matter more than surface temperature readings when determining where muskies will hold.

January Tennessee musky during narrow winter feeding window

Where Tennessee Muskies Are Positioning

During January, Tennessee muskies rely heavily on depth as a stabilizing factor. Deep water provides the most consistent temperature and energy efficiency, making it the primary holding zone throughout winter. Anglers should focus on steep breaking areas, particularly those adjacent to current seams, channels, or flow transitions.

Depth is always relative to the system. On large reservoirs, muskies may hold along deep breaks and basin edges. In river systems like the Collins River, a “deep” winter holding area may be only five or six feet, especially where current slows and forage can settle. Winter musky positioning revolves around stability first and feeding opportunity second. Areas that offer both—stable water with forage nearby—remain productive even when overall activity is low.

Best Musky Lures for Tennessee Musky Fishing - January 2026

January musky fishing in Tennessee favors controlled, efficient presentations that stay in the strike zone with minimal wasted movement. Two lure styles have stood out consistently.

Menace a perfect lure for January Musky Fishing

The Livingston Lures Menace has been particularly effective for muskies holding deep and remaining selective. Fished in a tube-style presentation, the Menace excels when hopped and popped early in the retrieve, then transitioned into a deliberate pull-pause sequence as it approaches the boat. This change in cadence often triggers neutral fish that will not respond to continuous motion.

Magnus Musky Swimbait Tennessee Musky Fishing January 2026

The Livingston Lures Magnus swimbait, rigged with its heavier weighting, has also produced well when worked along steep breaks and deep cover. Straight retrieves close to structure are effective, but mixing in occasional pulls and directional changes helps force reactions from fish using depth to conserve energy.

Guided Musky Fishing Trips in Tennessee

January is a month where guided musky fishing trips in Tennessee provide significant advantage. Bite windows are often limited to a single primary opportunity each day, leaving little room for experimentation. These trips are best suited for anglers who value timing, efficiency, and disciplined execution over constant casting. Proven winter patterns, controlled presentations, and precise positioning are critical during this period, and experience becomes the deciding factor between contact and empty water.

Book a Tennessee Musky Guide Trip

If you are interested in fishing Tennessee muskies during the winter period, January offers focused opportunity for anglers willing to commit to the conditions.

Contact Captain Steven Paul

Phone: 1-615-440-3237

Website: www.TennesseeMuskyFishing.com