Fishing is decent for Largemouth, Spotted and Smallmouth Bass and is best known for the latter. The lake is stocked annually with Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass which can be caught year-round using various techniques.  Striped Bass commonly exceed 15 lbs and hybrids are typically about 7 pounds. Numerous local and professional tournaments are conducted on the lake. 

Fishing in the Elk River coldwater tailwaters below the dam during non-generation periods is very productive for Rainbow and Brown Trout.