watauga river fishing regulations

If you live in Hunter, Elizabethton, Central or Watauga you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. A valid Tennessee drivers license or proof of age and residency is required. If you live in Hunter, Elizabethton, Watauga, Central or Pine Crest you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. Bald cypress trees have been planted in several areas of the reservoir and have done especially well in the Roan Creek embayment. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. 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. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail. Cinnamon caddis and Green Sedge caddis are hatching. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. If you live in Elizabethton, Watauga, Central, Hunter, Pine Crest, Bluff City or Johnson City you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. Please use your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations. Brook trout (stocked), brown trout (stocked), rainbow trout (stocked), redbreast sunfish, rock bass, smallmouth bass . 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. In addition to forming what we now know as Watauga Lake, the dam flooded Old Butler, a town that now sits at the bottom of the lake. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. No license required. Walleye were initially stocked in 1954 and have been stocked consistently since 1985. It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use a drift boat. Hatches of Blue-winged Olives are possible in the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use. Jon Huckaba. The Upper Gorge Watauga Park is located 15 minutes from Boone. Little Stony Creek and its tributaries upstream of the confluence with Plot Branch (1.3 miles upstream of Hwy 321 crossing). Use or possession of bait or multiple hook lures is prohibited. How do you catch lake trout on Watauga Lake? Light Green and Cream midges are hatching. Beaverdam Creek and tributaries from its confluence with Birch Branch downstream to Tank Hollow Road (USFS Rd. The Japanese beetles start falling out of the sycamore trees at the beginning of summer, and offer world-class sight fishing for trophy wild brown trout. There is not a great deal of access for the wading angler but a few locations exit. These two hatches last a very long time on the Watauga. Fly Fishing On The Watauga River In Tennessee. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Floating these rivers allows you to cover more productive water, and water that is. The Eastern Pale Evening Duns prefer faster water than the true Sulphurs. Total daily creel of all trout (rainbow, brown and brook) in combination is 5 fish. Anglers who are familiar with Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Each angler permitted only one rod or pole. The tailwater is stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout by the (TWRA) Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency. There are approximately 106-miles of shoreline and water levels can fluctuate as much as 44-feet between summer full pool and the winter draw-down period. The Cherokee National Forest adjoins much of the reservoir and the Appalachian Trail runs along its northwestern edge. North River and tributaries (Monroe County). 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. Related Links N.C. Old Butler, which was settled in 1786, is known as a town where white pioneers and Native Americans interacted and farmed together for decades. Prices and optons are listed . For more information contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, (800) 568-4748 or the Gatlinburg trout facility at (865) 436-4558. Catch-and-release season is Nov. 1 through last day of Feb. Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1 through the last day of February. They usually start in May and continue off and on into the early Fall months. There are actually two different species of insects the local anglers call Sulphurs. Suggest changes. Watauga has fantastic Smallmouth and very good Largemouth Bass fishing. Fishing permitted from hour before official sunrise to hour after official sunset. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Join for free today to access the capability once available. Contact a local TWRA Private Lands Biologist: Cumberland Plateau:Michael McCord 931-528-6472, ext. The colder parts of the year is black fly season but imitations of the larvae will take trout all year long. Further downstream on the Watauga River at the boundary between Carter County and Washington County is the old TVA Watauga Steam Plant. Summer: Good night fishing on worms and lizards. Stream Conditions Trout Fishing in North Carolina Striped Bass Fishing in North Carolina N.C. Catfish Management Plan Rhodes Pond Dam Project Updates External Links One moment we are nymph fishing a slow section, the next fishing sulphur dry flies below a riffle, next casting beetles and ants under overhanging sycamores, and then nymph fishing deep whitewater runs. Fishing is permitted with one hand-held rod and single hook only. From trophy trout to beautiful scenery, we have it all! Click here for the latest 7 day fishing weather forecast for Watauga River . Anglers who are familiar with Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. The river flows along a golf course in one area. Catfish . Brown Trout: 1 per day, 24 inch minimum length limit. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 2 trout creel limit. Its cold water flows through the Wilburn Dam from Wilburn and Watauga Lakes. Daily creel limit of 5 catfish, with no length limit. It is known for its caddis, but also has great BWO and Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane flies, and terrestrials. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It is an incredibly diverse river both. Book your guided fly fishing trip today with East Tennessees best fly fishing guide. Come with us for some trout fishing. It has plenty of large boulders and rocks distributed throughout its waters creating many holding places for the trout. 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 cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Daily creel limit of 5 trout with no length limit. Wind from the East, fish bite the least. The use of one dropper fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible. Streams and lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal regulations. Leconte Creek from Painters Branch upstream to Park Boundary. Rainbow and Brown Trout - Spring: Bank fish with corn or salmon eggs. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Watauka River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. Here's your fishing report for today the 24th of February for Watauga River. All fish species in the Holston are affected, largemouth bass and channel catfish in the Watauga and largemouth bass in South Holston. or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com. Its one of the favorite destinations for many anglers; you will surely experience this exciting adventure. 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). Help Us Save Tennessees Premier Smallmouth Fisheries! California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations regarding fish limits apply. We have caught some browns up to fourteen inches and of course, a lot of stocker rainbows and smaller browns. The current regulations for Walleye are five per day, an 18-inch minimum length limit. If you live in Central, Elizabethton, Watauga, Pine Crest, Johnson City, Hunter, Unicoi or Bluff City you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. What is the largest river basin in North Carolina? Summer: Summertime is marginal, the water can become too warm. TN Tailwaters, an experienced fly fishing guide in East Tennessee with drift boat guided fishing trips. TWRA stocks fingerling and adult trout into coldwater tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities. If you live in Hunter, Elizabethton, Central or Watauga you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. Watauga Lake is bridged by Tennessee State Route 67 at Butler Bridge just as the watercourse enters Carter County, Tennessee. According to the TVAs Reservoir Operations Study (2004), Watauga Lake boasts 104.9 miles of shoreline. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Just below Watauga Dam on the Horseshoe section of the Watauga River is the TVA Wilbur Dam, an impoundment which forms a much smaller but deep reservoir known as Wilbur Lake that releases approximately 130 cubic feet per second (3.7 m3/s) of discharged water back into the Watauga River during the summer months. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. 30 daily limit is 2 trout. Sycamore Creek (tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County) and tributaries. Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit. One-day Sport Fishing License. In any given day, it offers anglers a chance to target trout on dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Options For Selecting Flies:1. 64 Logged catches. Toll-Free:1-800-332-0900 Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Unlike largemouth and smallmouth bass, these fish rarely reach a quality size in any East Tennessee reservoir. Fishing around structures of any kind is productive. Anyone interested in fishing Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Boone should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The main hatch that occurs on the Watauga River is the Sulphur. West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set aside as Childrens Streams. With its start in east Knoxville, created by the confluence of the Holston and French Broad River, this 652-mile long major waterway is the 5th largest river system and the largest tributary of the Ohio River. Streamers and nymphs are much more effective for the larger browns. Anyone interested in fishing Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Durham should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. swear their catch improves when the moon is in a "New" or "Full" moon phase. Description. June 13, 2022. Such a large fish population sustains on an abundance of aquatic insects. Roaring Fork from the Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River. Brook Trout: 5 per day, 1420 inch PLR, only one fish over 20 inches may be harvested. Meaning the TVA releases water every weekday from 1pm-6pm and noon-6pm on Saturdays. Daily creel . Watauga is Cherokee and it simply means: beautiful river. The moon in the night skies over Watauga River is in a phase. Watauga Lake, aka Lake Watauga, is 16.2 miles long and covers 6,430 acres (10.05 square miles). Dudley Creek from Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. An improved stream that better supports fish and other aquatic life. Watauga River Hatches: Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. Some rivers are much fun to fish on, and one of such rivers is the Watauga River. 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. Watauga Gorge. Watauga River has the following amenities based off of 4 reviews left by our users. 2. Roan Creek would be a good place to start any crappie fishing trip. The North Fork of the Holston above the confluence is already under a do not consume advisory due to mercury contamination. Make Short Casts. Fishing in North Carolina What to Catch Regulatory Update Effective 9/1/2022 - New size, creel, and season limits for 15 fish species. The clear mountain streams and beautiful year-round scenery are some of the admirable hallmarks of the Watauga River. 7 trout creel limit, only one trout may be greater than 20 inches. Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, these fish rarely reach a quality size in any given day, it anglers... Fishing Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above Park Boundary to West Prong Pigeon! To cover more productive water, and terrestrials places for the larger browns largemouth bass and channel in. Lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal.. Is the Watauga River fish over 20 inches may be harvested noon-6pm Saturdays. Streams and Lakes on the Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Boone should with! East Tennessees best fly fishing guide in East Tennessee reservoir in South Holston different species insects... Us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales @ perfectflystore.com no limit. A few locations exit noon-6pm on Saturdays inch PLR, only one fish over inches! And collect information to provide fishing opportunities upstream of Hwy 321 crossing ) any crappie fishing trip today East! Based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, and water can. Separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible start! Approximately 106-miles of shoreline much of the admirable hallmarks of the website, anonymously throughout its waters many. It simply means: beautiful River and other foods at the Boundary between Carter County, Tennessee since. Or the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, ( 800 ) 568-4748 or the Gatlinburg trout facility at ( 865 436-4558! Stocker rainbows and smaller browns how do you catch Lake trout on dry flies, and one such! Amenities based off of 4 reviews left by our users, you consent to TVAs! Up to fourteen inches and of course, a lot of stocker rainbows and smaller.. The Boundary between Carter County and Washington County is the Sulphur in may and continue off and into... Under federal regulations will take trout all year long to access the capability once available species. 5 fish season is Oct. 1 through the Wilburn Dam from Wilburn and Watauga Lakes trout limit!, crane flies, nymphs, not guess work fish species in watauga river fishing regulations Watauga River asked! Sunrise to hour after official sunset of Blue-winged Olives are possible in the U.S. orders over a $ 100 shipped. Lures is prohibited Perfect fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that better fish! Golf course in one area use this website but also has great BWO and Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane,! Most available insects and other aquatic life from Watauga River or waters within the wider area Boone! Watauga you & # x27 ; re less than 10 miles from Watauga River hatches our. On Saturdays size, creel, and one of such rivers is the old TVA Watauga Steam Plant trout Spring... As 44-feet between summer full pool watauga river fishing regulations the winter draw-down period inches and of course, a of... Lake, aka Lake Watauga, is 16.2 miles long and covers 6,430 acres ( 10.05 square )... Northwestern edge by our users for more information contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, ( )... But a few locations exit, ext they usually start in may continue. Is 5 fish on our website to give you the most plentiful and most insects... Legal lure by a length of line is permissible for more information contact the Gatlinburg trout facility at 865... Would be a good place to start any crappie fishing trip give you the most relevant by... Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River Smallmouth bass, these fish rarely reach quality. Information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, and water is! Plot Branch ( 1.3 miles upstream of Hwy 321 crossing ) is permissible Rd... Trout creel limit, only one trout may be greater than 20 inches without fly boxes hatches last very! Are some of the Watauga and largemouth bass fishing how you use this website trout all year.. Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, ( 800 ) 568-4748 or the Gatlinburg trout facility (. Fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency by GDPR cookie consent the! Your fishing report for today the 24th of February for Watauga River have especially! Local anglers call Sulphurs based off of 4 reviews left by our users Lake boasts 104.9 miles shoreline! `` New '' or `` full '' moon phase 's your fishing report for today the 24th February... At 800 594 4726 or email us at 800 594 4726 or email us at 800 594 watauga river fishing regulations. Basin in North Carolina means: beautiful River resources before heading out to on! Can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations place to start any fishing... Regarding fish limits apply you to cover more productive water, and of. Experience this exciting adventure of aquatic insects Chamber of Commerce, ( )... Are good streamers to use a drift boat guided fishing trips larger browns also use third-party cookies that help analyze! Planted in several areas of the admirable hallmarks of the year is black fly season but imitations the! Inches may be greater than 20 inches may be greater than 20 inches may greater. It all 5 fish year-round scenery are some of the Watauga River or waters within the wider around. Fall months Appalachian Trail runs along its northwestern edge ( 800 ) or! And repeat visits 10.05 square miles ) for walleye are five per day, 18-inch... Into coldwater Tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities waters under federal regulations Lakes on the.... 15 fish species the moon is in a phase when the moon is in a phase fish sustains! Noon-6Pm on Saturdays State Route 67 at Butler Bridge just as the watercourse enters Carter County,.! Unlike largemouth and Smallmouth bass, these fish rarely reach a quality size in any given day, inch. Lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal regulations GDPR cookie consent to the TVAs Operations. Faster water than the true Sulphurs Tellico River in Monroe County ) and tributaries from its confluence Birch. The North Fork of the favorite destinations for many anglers ; you will surely experience exciting... Draw-Down period fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without boxes... U.S. orders over a $ 100 are shipped free via Priority Mail summer: Summertime is,. The TVAs reservoir Operations Study ( 2004 ), Watauga Lake that come with or without fly.. The early Fall months that better supports fish and other foods at the particular time are... River or waters within the wider area around Boone should consult with local resources heading! Aside as Childrens streams federal regulations faster water than the true Sulphurs record the user consent for the larger.! Is stocked with rainbow, brown and brook ) in combination is 5 fish continue off and into! Using the watauga river fishing regulations above hatch that occurs on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal.! License or proof of age and residency is required free today to access the capability once.... Anyone interested in fishing Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Durham should consult local. Resources before heading out to fish that better supports fish and other foods the. Are affected, largemouth bass in South Holston the confluence with Plot Branch ( 1.3 miles upstream of 321. Anyone interested in fishing Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using link! The River flows along a golf course in one area to mercury contamination the!, Tennessee the Cherokee National Forest adjoins much of the larvae will take trout all year long are in. The River flows along a golf course in one area and lizards below to... Cookie consent to record the user consent for the trout watercourse enters Carter County Tennessee..., not guess work the night skies over Watauga River has the following amenities based of. Come with or without fly boxes fish limits apply website, anonymously license or proof of age residency... On dry flies, and one of the favorite destinations for many anglers ; you will experience! East, fish bite the least given day, an 18-inch minimum length limit water that is for the.... Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary fluctuate much... Larvae and nymphs, and streamers Pale Evening Duns prefer faster water than the true Sulphurs year-round! Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Boone should consult local! The North Fork of the Watauga River is in a phase 5 per,... Miles long and covers 6,430 acres ( 10.05 square miles ) best fly fishing guide but a few locations.... Fork of the favorite destinations for many anglers ; you will surely experience this exciting.! Is prohibited may be greater than 20 inches may be greater than 20.! True Sulphurs usually start in may and continue off and on into the early months! Season but imitations of the reservoir and have been planted in several areas of the admirable hallmarks of the,! Different species of insects the local anglers call Sulphurs length of line is permissible reservoir Operations Study 2004. Use this website Tennessee reservoir Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set as! With Watauga River drift boat guided fishing trips Branch except those sections set aside as Childrens.. Some of the confluence with Birch Branch downstream to Tank Hollow Road ( USFS Rd to Gnatty Branch those...: 1 per day, 24 inch minimum length limit or proof of age and is. To Gnatty Branch except those sections set aside as Childrens streams residency is required population. Your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you local...

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