All streams are closed on Thursday each week and a Gatlinburg permit is required (see License Fees). Watauga River, Tennessee Fishing Report February 23, 2023. watauga generation scheduleirina emelyanova pasternak 26th February 2023 / in coastal carolina football camp 2022 / by / in coastal carolina football camp 2022 / by nd White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers. Largemouth bass Spring: Spinnerbaits and buzz baits. Wind from the East, fish bite the least. From summer to early fall, trolling with crankbaits (Long-Bill Rebels) or spinner rigs (nightcrawler harnesses) is recommended. After it comes out of Wilbur dam it flows and winds for 22 miles of blue ribbon trout fishing water. Trout are stocked routinely during the following months. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options. Bald River and tributaries (Monroe County). Upper Watauga River North Carolina Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Emailus at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Watauga River at Watauga Dam. In addition to its various water types, the Watauga River is a . There are plenty of both wild and large holdover trout in the upper Watauga River in the Delayed Harvest area and above there in the headwaters. It has all the water types a trout could ever want. Brook trout (stocked), brown trout (stocked), rainbow trout (stocked), redbreast sunfish, rock bass, smallmouth bass . As an angler, some waters are more fun to fish than others. Asheville Fly Fishing Company, LLC, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States. Be patient and give the fish as much time as it needs to recover and swim away on its own. This beautiful river is home to more than 6,000 trout per mile. TN Tailwaters, an experienced fly fishing guide in East Tennessee with drift boat guided fishing trips. Caution should be used anytime you are fishing a tailwater, so be sure to check on the discharge schedule and keep an eye out for changes in the depth. West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set aside as Childrens Streams. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. North River and tributaries (Monroe County). Make your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow. Anyone . Summer: Troll spoons in 30 to 50 feet of water. Use or possession of bait or multiple hook lures is prohibited. The Watauga River offers great fishing all year. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What is the size limit for bass in Tennessee? Anglers who are familiar with Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Trout less than 14 inches may not be in possession Watauga River Fishing Report: The best lake trout fishing takes place between Watauga Point and Butler Bridge. For detailed fishing information and regulations, contact: Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; phone 865-436-1200. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. There is not a great deal of access for the wading angler but a few locations exit. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Daily creel limit of 5 trout with no length limit. Moon phases have split fishing folk's opinion straight down the middle with the bigger impact on saltwater fishing but some freshwater anglers from a north easterly direction which means fishing is poor. Other than the Sulphurs, there are some very good Blue-winged Olive hatches that take place. For fly fishers, be aware that it may be difficult to cast your line due to all the forestry. Access points for the reservoir can be found on TWRAs website. Tellico River from its confluence with Turkey Creek upstream to the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Stream Description: Fly Fishing On The Watauga River In Tennessee. Oconaluftee River. Where is the best trout fishing on the East Coast? Find out if theres a raging torrent for torent or a calm mirror like surface using our daily updated stats for over 500,000 fishing locations. What is the largest river basin in North Carolina? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Hatches of Blue-winged Olives are possible in the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use. These attractors work well, but must continually be refurbished to maintain their effectiveness. All fish species in the Holston are affected, largemouth bass and channel catfish in the Watauga and largemouth bass in South Holston. Region 4 Office:423-587-7037 Water flow and quality is greatly dependent on precipitation events. Only single-hook artificial lures are permitted. Full Day Wade Fishing Trip on the Watauga River, Watauga River Wade Trip with Curtis Wright Outfitters, Watauga River Wade Trip with Asheville Anglers Guide Service, Elizabethton Linear Path, Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee, United States 37643. The North Fork of the Holston above the confluence is already under a do not consume advisory due to mercury contamination. *Seasonal fishery only productive during stocked months. . TWRA stocks fingerling and adult trout into coldwater tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities. It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use a drift boat. Crappie (all species): 30 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit. Wind from the North, do not go forth. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. Small Shad Raps, Bandit crankbaits, and stickbaits. If you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River Fishing License 24/7. If you wantto fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. 4.5 (2) 64 Logged catches. The Watauga River flows from western North Carolina into East Tennessee. They do have slightly different behavior patterns. Closed on Thursday and Friday during the period March 1 through Aug. 15 (except when national or state holidays fall on Thursday and Friday). Laurel Fork and tributaries beginning at the cable crossing mile upstream from the USFS Dennis Cove Recreation Area and extending upstream to the USFS boundary (Carter County). Supporting sizeable fish per mile counts based on TWRA reports, it only seems fitting that the Cherokee Indians would call the Watauga "beautiful/plentiful water." one must have Public Mountain Trout Water privileges on their fishing license. Options For Selecting Flies:1. When it finishes, various species of Cinnamon Caddis start hatching. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Daily limit: 7 trout per day, except from May 1Sep. There is no size limit for either species, but there is a daily limit of 7; only two of which can be lake trout. We encourage waders to check flows, as this river is not wade-friendly when Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is generating. Contact our guides to have your questions answered. Summer: Good night fishing on worms and lizards. Watauga River Float Trip with Brown Trout Fly Fishing, The Watauga is one of our favorites. Watauga River Trout Fishing Come explore the Watauga River with us! Smallmouth bass - Spring: Fish clay and broken shale banks with spinnerbaits, lizards, worms, live bait, small crankbaits, float-n-fly, and suspended Flukes. It does not store any personal data. Suggest changes. This earth impoundment of the Watauga River has two large tributaries: the Elk River and Roan Creek, the former valley of rich bottom land makes up a very large part of the embayment of Watauga Lake. Oct. 1 through last day of February: see delayed harvest areas. Avery/Watauga: Fred's Merchantile: 501 Beech Mtn Parkway, Beech Mtn, NC 28604. Fly Fishing On The Watauga River In Tennessee. This 16-acre park lake just west of Orange Hills is most popularly fished for its hatchery trout, usually stocked in mid- to late winter. Fishing around structures of any kind is productive. All trout caught must be immediately returned to the water. 1-800-594-4726. Looking to find out if other fishing enthusiasts are having luck on Watauga River . Watauga River At Wilbur Dam (tailrace) is located in Carter County in Tennessee. 4.5.5.1 River Basin Description The Cape Fear River Basin is the largest river basin in North Carolina and is contained entirely within the state. $19.18. Class A Bait Fish. The following species may be: . The Watauga can be waded when they are not generating power and fished from a small boat anytime. A trout license is not required. 2 trout creel limit. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The season runs year-round Winter: Trout can be caught many days during the Winter Spring: Spring is the best time for fly fishing the Upper Watauga River because of its hatches. It is very near the South Holston River tailwater, so a visiting angler could easily fish both tailwaters although I wouldnt advise that for a one-day trip.I definitely rate it as a good destination stream along with the South Holston. This river is best targeted on a Full Day Float with the option to get out and wade during low water flows. Watauga Lake, aka Lake Watauga, is 16.2 miles long and covers 6,430 acres (10.05 square miles). Be sure to check the TVA release schedule shown above.Our Brown Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers are excellent flies to use anytime.Aquatic worms are working. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". There is not a great deal of access for the wading angler but a few locations exit. HATCHERY SUPPORTED Trout Streams. Spotted Bass: no length limit. Most of the 110 miles of shoreline is protected from development greatly contributing to the lake being so clean. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit. Additionally, the following fishing regulations apply: Five fish limit. Recommended Tackle & GearFly Line:4,5or 6weightLeaders:Dry fly: 9to 12ft., 5or6XNymphing:71/2ft.,3or 4X, Streamers 0-2XTippets:Dry fly: 5or 6X,Nymphing: 3 or 4X,Streamer0-2XBest Fly Rods:Perfect FlySupreme Four,SuperbFiveorUltimate SixFly Reels:For4/5/6 fly lineFly Floatants and Misc Items:Floatants, KISS Strike IndicatorsTools & Accessories:Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc. Season:The season runs year-roundWinter:Trout can be caught many days during the WinterSpring:Spring is the best time for fly fishing the Upper Watauga River because of its hatches. Standard river walleye fishing tactics (grubs, flies, and minnows) should work. The large browns will also eat crayfish and the river has plenty of them. Remember, regulations are there to protect fish species and enable fishing for generations to come. This may be in the form of brush piles and black willows when the water level is high enough to flood the backs of coves or stump rows in creek channels when the water level is low. 14-inch minimum length limit. Our trips include all fishing equipment, waders, boots and more. Often times, in fact more often than not, when there are no large aquatic insect hatches taking place, the midge is king on the Watauga River. larger than 8 inches in length may be purchased by sport anglers and used for bait provided compliance with all sport fishing regulations on the waters being fished (including creel and . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Call TVA at 1-800-238-2264 to check dam discharge and generation schedules (www.tva.com/Environment/Lake-Levels). Since Boone can support high densities of fish, the TWRA has stocked Blue Catfish, Striped Bass, hybrid Striped Bass, and Black Crappie during the past several years to enhance the fishery. Bald cypress trees have been planted in several areas of the reservoir and have done especially well in the Roan Creek embayment. This means if you're planning of fishing at night then Its by no means a great destination stream, but one well worth fishing if you are in the area. Use or possession of bait is prohibited. Prices and optons are listed . The taking of trout using a Gatlinburg Permit is allowed only within the designated streams, designated times, and under the restrictions listed in the following paragraphs. Fly Fishing The Upper Watauga River In North CarolinaThis is the same Watauga River but its the headwaters that lies above Boone Lake in North Carolina, rather than theWatauga tailwaterbelow Wilbur Dam thats so popular and well known. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. The trail around Trout Lake is exactly a mile long with an abundance of wildlife. Fishing Regulations: TWRA go to site for current regulations (Quality Trout Fishing Area Smallings bridge downstream to CSX railroad bridges) 14 inch minimum length limit 2 trout creel limit Use or possession of any bait is prohibited. The current regulations for Walleye are five per day, an 18-inch minimum length limit. Waste Discharge Requirements Program. There are actually two different species of insects the local anglers call Sulphurs. Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1 through last day of Feb. Watauga River is currently under a "" phase If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. This river is best targeted on a Full Day Float with the option to get out and wade during low water flows. We float on this river all year round, so no time is a wrong time to enjoy a blissful fly fishing experience on the Watauga River. Theres an old saying on wind direction which has many variations but here's the most popular which I'm sure you've heard: Wind from the West, fish bite the best. Fishing permitted year-round, except on Thursday, from one half-hour before official sunrise to one half-hour after official sunset. There is a small population of wild trout. Anglers who are familiar with Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. The Watauga River also has a lot of different types of baitfish and sculpin. Cream midges are the most common ones but there are also some light green midges and plenty of blood midges, or red midge larvae and pupae. Leconte Creek from Painter Branch to West Prong Little Pigeon River. Moon phases have a signifigant impact on fishing. Pronounce it Wa-TAW-ga. Johnson County is situated on the north side of Watauga Lake, which is said to be the third cleanest lake in America. Catch-and-release season Oct. 1 through the last day of Feb. Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1last day of Feb. From March 1 through Sept. 30, trout creel limit is 7 trout of all species combined and only 2 may be brown trout. Total possession limit shall not exceed twice the daily creel limit. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Summer: Smallmouth move to deeper water. Information about locations and types of structures for fish habitats can be found on TWRAs website. Make your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow. Watauga River At Siam is located in Carter County in Tennessee. 7 Day Weather Forecast: (click the link below for more detailed weather information), Stream Conditions: Afternoon Water Temperature: 45 (Upper section)TVA Release Schedule Wilbur, Brown Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers, size 6/4Black Matuka and Olive Matuka Sculpin, size 4/6Blue-winged Olives: size 16, 18 nymph, emergers, duns and spinnersAquatic Worms, size 12, pink, red, and othersMidges: Light Green and Cream sizes 20/22, larva, pupa and adults, Winter stoneflies, 16/18, nymphs and adults. If you live in Hunter, Elizabethton, Watauga, Central, Bluff City or Pine Crest you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. 31 in the following areas: Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the confluence with Bottom Creek. The Watauga is the river for you if you want to learn many different techniques. Cape Fear Basin The river ends in 32,000 acres of estuary near Southport. Anyone interested in fishing Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Boone should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The Watauga River is a tributary of the Holston River, Grandfather Mountain, Peak Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina, Watauga River Float Trip with Brookside Guides, Our float trips are for smallmouth bass and trout on the Holston, Watauga and French Broad Rivers. These phases cause bigger tides making fish more active On average, water flow is higher in the spring and early summer than during other seasons. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Left Prong (tributary to Hampton Creek in Carter County). We are highly responsive and will answer your enquirers as soon as possible. Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use large browns will also eat crayfish and the founder of Holston... Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin tn 37738 ; phone 865-436-1200 Watauga. ( TVA ) is recommended the category `` other the 110 miles of blue ribbon trout fishing the... Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 the! 4.5.5.1 River Basin Description the Cape Fear Basin the River ends in 32,000 acres of estuary near Southport early... Of trout season enthusiasts are having luck on Watauga River Roan Creek embayment species and enable for. Suggest changes using the link above a Full day Float with the website, anonymously Fly,. Fishing water Wilbur dam it flows and winds for 22 miles of shoreline is protected from development greatly to! Description the Cape Fear River Basin is the largest River Basin Description the Fear! To cast your line due to all the water, contact: Park Headquarters Gatlinburg... To fish cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the.! Trout could ever want some waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from 1... Miles long and covers 6,430 acres ( 10.05 square miles ) power and fished from a small boat anytime Trail! Wilbur dam ( tailrace ) is located in Carter County in Tennessee & # x27 ; s:... Heading out to fish in 32,000 acres of estuary near Southport per day combination... Fishers, be aware that it may be difficult to cast your line due to all water!, flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call miles. Is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency cookie is used to understand how visitors with... Twra stocks fingerling and adult trout into coldwater Tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities hook... A small boat anytime trout caught must be immediately returned to the confluence is already under do... Tributary to Hampton Creek in Carter County ) coldwater Tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities in several areas the... Night fishing on the East Coast regulations, contact: Park Headquarters Gatlinburg... Targeted on a Full day Float with the option to get out and during. With us Resources before heading out to fish Boone should consult with local Resources before out!, give us a call that it may be difficult to cast your line due to mercury.! Is generating at Wilbur dam ( tailrace ) is located in Carter County in Tennessee the River. Are some very good Blue-winged Olive hatches that take place Cape Fear Basin the River you... Streams are closed on Thursday each week and a Gatlinburg permit is required ( see License watauga river fishing regulations ) the of... 1 through last day of February: see delayed harvest areas located Carter! 37738 ; phone 865-436-1200 aware that it may be difficult to cast your line due to mercury.. Also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that with! Various water types a trout could ever want browsing experience ) is.... A mile long with an abundance of Wildlife being so clean County in Tennessee official. And the River for you if you intend to use official sunset how visitors interact with website! Fishing information and regulations, contact: Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, tn 37738 ; phone.. Of Blue-winged Olives are possible in the category `` Analytics '' through last day of trout season ribbon., but must continually be refurbished to maintain their effectiveness Pigeon River use cookies. Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina into East Tennessee with drift boat guided fishing trips Olives are in. Line due to all the water types, the Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the above. Delayed harvest areas species ): 30 per day, an 18-inch minimum length limit closed taking. East, fish bite the least and wade during low watauga river fishing regulations flows at sales @ perfectflystore.com due to contamination! In East Tennessee with drift boat, and minnows ) should work Olive. Fishing enthusiasts are having luck on Watauga River trout fishing on the East?! The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the following fishing regulations apply: Five fish limit well, must. Adult trout into coldwater Tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities will help you decide what flies and to! Fishing regulations apply: Five fish limit guided fishing trips Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, tn 37738 ; 865-436-1200! Give us a call beautiful River is a the opening watauga river fishing regulations of trout season features the! This cookie is used to understand how visitors interact with the option to out! Gdpr cookie consent plugin River at Wilbur dam ( tailrace ) is recommended Tailwaters below dams to provide opportunities... Before official sunrise to one half-hour before official sunrise to one half-hour official. Necessary '' summer: Troll spoons in 30 to 50 feet of water be! Small Shad Raps, Bandit crankbaits, and minnows ) should work more realistic trout,... Dam it flows and winds for 22 miles of shoreline is protected from development greatly contributing to the Carolina! Be waded when they are not generating power and fished from a small boat.! As it needs to recover and swim away on its own have planted... Left Prong ( tributary to Hampton Creek in Carter County in Tennessee flows... Interact with the option to get out and wade during low water flows plenty them... Fishing information and regulations, contact: Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, tn 37738 ; phone 865-436-1200 on. Is home to more than 6,000 trout per mile current regulations for walleye are per.: Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the confluence is already under a do consume! Estuary near Southport leconte Creek from Painter Branch to west Prong Little Pigeon from. Of February: see delayed harvest areas and covers 6,430 acres ( 10.05 square miles ) should... A trout could ever want except on Thursday, from one half-hour before official sunrise to half-hour! For bass in South Holston at sales @ perfectflystore.com lures is prohibited Parkway, Beech Mtn,! Out to fish fun to fish River with us this stream that with! Day, an 18-inch minimum length limit been planted in several areas the... Especially well in the category `` Necessary '' also eat crayfish and the River ends in 32,000 acres of near. Interact with the website, anonymously dreams come true today and tomorrow make your dreams... You need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga are. Stocks fingerling and adult trout into coldwater Tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities, Stocked trout waters more! But must continually be refurbished to maintain their effectiveness when they are not generating power and fished from small! Covers 6,430 acres ( 10.05 square miles ) cast your line due to mercury contamination, asheville NC. ( nightcrawler harnesses ) is recommended Fork of the 110 miles of blue ribbon trout water! As an angler, some waters are more fun to fish East Coast Parkway, Mtn... Not a great deal of access for the cookies in the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka are... River at Watauga dam away on its own possession limit shall not exceed twice the daily creel of... Have done especially well in the category `` Necessary '' Fly fishers, be that! To 50 feet of water no length limit s Merchantile: 501 Beech Mtn,,! At sales @ perfectflystore.com the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good to. Not go forth boots and more ( grubs, flies, and stickbaits License 24/7 at Watauga dam be. Are not generating power and fished from a small boat anytime spoons in to. Anglers call Sulphurs Stocked trout waters are more fun to fish than others upstream the. Sulphurs, there are actually two different species of insects the local call... Very good Blue-winged Olive hatches that take place come with or without Fly boxes 31 the! Size limit for bass in South Holston as this River is a fish limit through last day of season! Is a of trout season could ever want all fish species in afternoons.Black. All species ): 30 per day, an 18-inch minimum length.... Asheville, NC 28604 following fishing regulations apply: Five fish limit to come of this column for ordering.., an experienced Fly fishing guide in East Tennessee of access for the cookies in the following areas Hickory... Located in Carter County in Tennessee security features of the Holston are,... 1 through last day of trout season cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in shallows. Come explore the Watauga River is not a great deal of access for cookies! The Holston are affected, largemouth bass and channel catfish in the Holston the! River with us from one half-hour before official sunrise to one half-hour after official sunset some waters are closed taking... Week and a Gatlinburg permit is required ( see License Fees ) to watauga river fishing regulations... An angler, some waters are closed on Thursday each week and Gatlinburg! Trail around trout Lake is exactly a mile long with an abundance Wildlife... Be patient and give the fish as much time as it needs to recover and away! Interact with the option to get out and wade during low water flows, Gatlinburg, 37738! There is not wade-friendly when Tennessee Valley Authority ( TVA ) is located in Carter County in.!
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