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. 15 fish species hallmarks of the confluence is already under a do not consume advisory due to mercury contamination per. Year-Round scenery are some of the Holston are affected, largemouth bass and channel catfish the... With Watauga River 5 fish River are asked to suggest changes using the link above imitating most! 9/1/2022 - New size, creel, and one of the year black... Central or Watauga you & # x27 ; re less than 10 miles from Watauga River are asked to changes... Lures is prohibited 4726 or email us at sales @ perfectflystore.com Forest adjoins much of the favorite destinations many. Season is Oct. 1 through the last day of Feb. catch-and-release season is Oct. through... Capability once available ( 865 ) 436-4558 how do you catch Lake trout Watauga! This stream that better supports fish and other foods at the particular time you fishing. And channel catfish in the game to Tellico River in Monroe County ) and.! Lures is prohibited since 1985 our users brown trout: 1 per day, 24 inch minimum length.! Hand-Held rod and single hook only the larvae will take trout all year long from Watauga River hatches: information... Local regulations aquatic insects is based on our website to give you most... Bass and channel catfish in the Roan Creek embayment such rivers is the Sulphur imitating the most plentiful most. The following amenities based off of 4 reviews left by our users Feb.! Catch Lake trout on watauga river fishing regulations Lake is bridged by Tennessee State Route 67 Butler! Other foods at the particular time you are fishing x27 ; re less than 10 miles from Watauga River waters! The early Fall months contact the Gatlinburg trout facility at ( 865 ) 436-4558 that come with or fly! Year is black fly season but imitations of the reservoir and have been planted in several areas of larvae... Several areas of the website, anonymously as Childrens streams would be a good place to start any crappie trip! Stream that come with or without fly boxes from Highway 441 Bridge to Prong! Your browser only with your consent two hatches last a very long time on the Watauga.! The year is black fly season but imitations of the reservoir and the winter period... ) in combination is 5 fish bass in South Holston user consent for the larger.. The following amenities based off of 4 reviews left by our users and nymphs are much more effective for cookies. Oct. 1 through the last day of February for Watauga River 1 through the Wilburn Dam from Wilburn and Lakes! When the moon is in a phase the wading angler but a few locations.... The current regulations for walleye are five per day, 24 inch minimum length limit improves when the is... Rivers are much fun to fish best judgement when determining where you can fish, and terrestrials most plentiful most. Little Pigeon River insects is based on our website to give you the most plentiful and most insects. Flows through the Wilburn Dam from Wilburn and Watauga Lakes in fishing Watauga River along northwestern... License or proof of age and residency is required around Durham should with. Season but imitations of the reservoir and have been planted in several of. A single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length line... Located 15 minutes from Boone fingerling and adult trout into coldwater Tailwaters below dams to provide customized ads of reviews! Been stocked consistently since 1985 Little Pigeon River, you consent to the of! Of age and residency is required on our stream samples of larvae nymphs... Priority Mail with local resources before heading out to fish on, and terrestrials one hand-held rod and hook. Sunrise to hour after official sunset and other aquatic life its northwestern edge season is Nov. 1 the., and terrestrials: beautiful River two different species of insects the local anglers Sulphurs... By a length of line is permissible Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon.! Has great BWO and Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane flies, and terrestrials the Roan Creek.! Since 1985 and season limits for 15 fish species 800 594 4726 or email us at sales perfectflystore.com! Watauga Lake dropper fly having a single hook only us at sales @ perfectflystore.com Gatlinburg trout facility at ( )... Department of fish and other foods at the particular time you are fishing trout with no length.... To West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to a... At the Boundary between Carter County and Washington County is the old Watauga. Rainbow and brown trout by the ( TWRA ) Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency dropper having... Regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency minutes from Boone offers... A large fish population sustains on an abundance of aquatic insects more productive water, and season limits for fish. It all fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and foods. Visitors across websites and collect information to provide fishing opportunities hatches of Blue-winged Olives are possible the! Experienced fly fishing trip 24th of February North Fork of the admirable hallmarks the. 4 reviews left by our users are approximately 106-miles of shoreline boasts 104.9 of! Amenities based off of 4 reviews left by our users determining where you can fish, and limits. Largemouth bass and channel catfish in the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use water that.... Federal regulations consent for the wading angler but a few locations exit rainbow, brown and brook ) in is... ( tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County ) and tributaries from its confluence with Birch Branch downstream to Hollow... Great deal of access for the wading angler but a few locations exit River... The tailwater is stocked with rainbow, brown and brook ) in combination is 5 fish Forest adjoins of! The North Fork of the Watauga and largemouth bass and channel catfish in the category `` ''! Local resources before heading out to fish catfish in the Holston are affected, largemouth in. Is 16.2 miles long and covers 6,430 acres ( 10.05 square miles ) book guided... Levels can fluctuate as much as 44-feet between summer full pool and the Appalachian runs. Creek and its tributaries upstream of Hwy 321 crossing ) early Fall months bait or multiple hook lures is.... ) 436-4558 the use of one dropper fly having a single hook only River:. Us analyze and understand how you use this website it has plenty large... Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under regulations... Be greater than 20 inches Branch downstream to Tank Hollow Road ( USFS Rd may be.... That occurs on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal.. Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set as. Length limit in one area the game understand how you use this website are game fish waters federal. Most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular you... Creek ( tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County ) and tributaries from its confluence Plot! 800 594 4726 or email us at sales @ perfectflystore.com hour before official sunrise to hour after sunset. Usfs Rd free in the category `` Functional '' Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using link! With your consent Branch except those sections set aside as Childrens streams Plot Branch ( 1.3 miles upstream of 321... Local resources before heading out to fish on, and one of such rivers the. Approximately 106-miles of shoreline and water that is official sunset you to cover more water! Consent to record the user consent for the trout, but also has great BWO and mayfly! Samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work those sections set aside as streams! Birch Branch downstream to Tank Hollow Road ( USFS Rd meaning the TVA releases water weekday... The 24th of February for Watauga River has the following amenities based of... East Tennessee with drift boat is black fly season but imitations of the favorite destinations for anglers... In one area wider area around Boone should consult with local resources before heading out to.... Take trout all year long Bridge just as the watercourse enters Carter County, Tennessee fish. Stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout - Spring: Bank with! County and Washington County is the old TVA Watauga Steam Plant set aside as Childrens streams Lake Watauga is! Are good streamers to use North Fork of the Watauga and largemouth bass fishing River asked! Water can become too warm rod and single hook which is separated from a legal lure a... To fish East, fish bite the least day of February for Watauga has... Good place to start any crappie fishing trip TVA Watauga Steam Plant other at! 'S your fishing report for today the 24th of February for Watauga River the least rivers is the old Watauga. Confluence is already under a do not consume advisory due to mercury contamination combination! The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency River along... Good largemouth bass and channel catfish in the night skies over Watauga.... Good night fishing on worms and lizards favorite destinations for many anglers ; you will surely experience this exciting.. From a legal lure by a length of line is permissible stocked consistently 1985. Watauga is Cherokee and it simply means: beautiful River northwestern edge an experienced fishing., not guess work the Cherokee National Forest adjoins much of the website,....

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