The Green River is located near Hendersonville, not far from the state line that is shared with South Carolina. The tributary flows from the north side of the Saluda Mountains and offers rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The rainbows and browns are wild and stocked, while the brook trout are stocked.
This medium tailwater stream offers a lot of good access for those who are willing to hike to reach the fishing. The river flows through Lake Summit and the Fishtop Access Area, and through the Green River Game Lands, before ending up near Lake Adger.
Much of the river is managed as wild trout waters, with select sections operating under hatchery-supported operations. The I-26 bridge passes over the Green River Gorge, which is where you’ll find some great fishing if you’re willing to trek the hike to get to the river. The delayed harvest section runs for about three miles from Fishtop Falls to Cove Creek and is where boats can be used for those who don’t want to wade.
Some tributary streams off the river offer a lot of potential for fishing, and many have public access that is fair to good in terms of how easy it is to get to the water. If you want the best views and some of the least-fished waters of this river, you will have to go a bit further in your hikes.
This stream offers tailwater fishing below the lake. You’ll want to check the dam discharge before you go just in case the water levels are fluctuating. The Green River flows through some of the most beautiful lands in the state, so no matter where you settle to cast a line, you’re sure to enjoy the view.
Best Places to Fish the Green River
You can find plenty of access, as mentioned, depending on how far you’re willing to hike. The Green River offers the delayed harvest section near Fishtop Falls, which can be accessed directly from Green River Cove Road, where boat access is also available. From Cove Creek to Brights Creek, you’ll find another hatchery-supported section.
With several miles of hatchery-supported waters and several miles of wild fishing, you’ll find plenty of great stops on the stream. You can find access near the Highway 76 bridge for those who want to explore the area that flows through the canyon.
The 16 miles of trails in the Gorge section will take you to some of the most fast-paced rapids with big whitewater. Known as the Narrows, this section does offer great fishing for those who find it. You’ll also find access at Big Rock, just above Lake Adger.
Trails lead up and down the river, offering various access points. There are some access points on game and parklands, as well, although again there might be a bit of a hike required. All in all, it should be easy for you to find a great place to cast a line so long as you’re willing to do a little walking.
Best Time to Fish the Green River
As is the case with all the state-supported waters, the hatchery sections of the Green River are going to be closed during March. Other than that, fishing is open year-round in other sections. Although waters can fluctuate because of the dam, you’ll generally find the same seasonal considerations in this river as the rest of the state.
As usual, spring is popular because of the hatches and all of the aquatic insects that attract the trout. The waters remain cool but the food is plentiful, so the fish are plentiful. Summer fishing can be good near the lake where the cool water discharge keeps the river from getting too warm.
In the fall, you’ll find plenty of great fly fishing opportunities as the brown trout are out to spawn, the weather is cooling, and the days are growing cloudier and darker by the minute. Speaking of which, the trout in this stream have a fair amount of cover, but you may still want to consider blending in a bit if you don’t fish during a time of day that’s easier to hide.