Ultimate Percy Priest Lake Guide: Fishing, Camping, Beaches, Boating & More (2026)

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Everything You Need to Know About Percy Priest Lake Near Nashville, Tennessee

Twenty minutes after leaving downtown Nashville, you can be launching a kayak, catching stripers, grilling burgers at Seven Points, or floating in a quiet cove watching an eagle hunt breakfast.

That’s why Percy Priest Lake stays packed every summer.

Whether you’re trying to find the best fishing spots, camping areas, swimming beaches, kayak launches, marinas, hiking trails, or simply figure out where to take the family this weekend, this guide puts everything in one place.

Quick Facts About Percy Priest Lake

Official Name	J. Percy Priest Lake
Location	Nashville, Tennessee
Surface Area	14,200 Acres
Shoreline	213 Miles
River	Stones River
Summer Pool	490 Feet
Completed	1967
Managed By	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Chart of Percy Priest Lake Specifications

Things To Do At Percy Priest Lake

Most visitors fall into one of six categories:

Fishing
Camping
Swimming
Boating
Kayaking
Hanging out with family and friends

The nice thing about Percy Priest is you don’t have to pick just one.

Fishing Percy Priest Lake

Percy Priest is known throughout Tennessee for striped bass fishing, but that’s only part of the story.

Fish Species Found In Percy Priest Lake

Striped Bass
Hybrid Bass
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Crappie
Catfish
Bluegill
Walleye

Best Structure To Fish

Submerged roadbeds
Brush piles
Creek channels
Standing timber
Main lake ledges
Rocky points

Recommended Fishing Gear

Fish Finder

[Amazon Striper Rod]

[Amazon Spinning Reel]

[Amazon Tackle Bag]

[Amazon Landing Net]

Best Fishing Areas On Percy Priest Lake

Seven Points

Great bank fishing and easy boat access.

Fate Sanders

Excellent for stripers and hybrids.

Long Hunter

Popular for crappie and bass.

Dam Area

Can be phenomenal when water is moving.

Camping At Percy Priest Lake

Seven Points Campground

The busiest campground on the lake.

Anderson Road Campground

A little quieter and close to Nashville.

Poole Knobs Campground

Usually the best choice if you want fewer crowds.

Recommended Camping Gear

[Amazon Family Camping Tent]

[Amazon Sleeping Bag]

[Amazon Camp Stove]

[Amazon Camp Chairs]

[Amazon Portable Power Station]

[Amazon Cooler]

Swimming At Percy Priest Lake

When someone asks where to swim at Percy Priest, these are usually the first places mentioned.

Anderson Road Beach
Seven Points Beach
Smith Springs
Long Hunter State Park

Best Beaches At Percy Priest Lake

Anderson Road Beach

Probably the most popular swimming beach on the lake.

Seven Points Beach

Good combination of beach access and nearby facilities.

Smith Springs

Popular with locals.

Safety Gear For Swimmers

[Amazon Adult Life Jacket]

[Amazon Children’s Life Jacket]

[Amazon Throwable Flotation Device]

[Amazon Marine First Aid Kit]

Kayaking Percy Priest Lake

If your goal is quiet water and fewer crowds, kayaking might be the best way to enjoy the lake.

Best Kayak Launches

Bryant Grove
Couchville Lake
Seven Points
Long Hunter
Fate Sanders

Recommended Kayak Gear

[Amazon Fishing Kayak]

[Amazon Kayak Paddle]

[Amazon Dry Bag]

[Amazon Kayak Cart]

[Amazon Kayak Anchor]

Boat Rentals On Percy Priest Lake

Don’t own a boat? No problem.

Available Rentals

Pontoons
Fishing Boats
Jet Skis
Paddleboards
Kayaks

Popular Marinas

Elm Hill Marina

Nashville Shores Marina

Fate Sanders Marina

Percy Priest Lake Water Levels

The number you’ll hear most often is 490 feet.

That’s summer pool.

The Corps lowers the lake seasonally, so don’t be surprised if familiar shorelines look different during winter.

Wildlife Around Percy Priest Lake

Bald Eagles
Osprey
Great Blue Herons
White-Tailed Deer
Beavers
River Otters
Wild Turkey

Family Activities At Percy Priest Lake

Rent a pontoon
Spend the day at Anderson Road Beach
Picnic at Seven Points
Paddle around Long Hunter
Watch sunset near Elm Hill
Camp at Poole Knobs
Fish at dawn

Frequently Asked Questions About Percy Priest Lake

How Deep Is Percy Priest Lake?

Link to your existing depth article here.

Can You Swim In Percy Priest Lake?

Yes, several designated beaches and swimming areas are available.

What Fish Are In Percy Priest Lake?

Stripers, hybrids, bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and walleye.

Why Are There So Few Lakefront Homes?

Most shoreline is controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.