Where do we fish?
River and Stream Fishing
Stocked trout streams provide opportunitiess for anglers who catch and release as well as those who wish to harvest trout for consumption. Rainbow trout averaging 8 to 12 inches are stocked in many streams, typically between March and September.
The most popular stocked trout streams include Tellico River, Citico Creek, Paint Creek and Beaverdam Creek. Wild trout, rainbow, brown and native brookies are present in most of the mountain streams above 1000 feet in elevation.
River and Stream Fishing Areas
- Bald Mountains
Most of the area is remote backcountry, including Bald Mountain Ridge Scenic Area and Sampson Mountain Wilderness. Roads are limited, but forty-plus miles of trail access the forest.
The area is known for its diverse populations of wildflowers and a number of waterfalls, including 60-foot fan-shaped Margarette Falls and Sill Branch Falls. Try fishing Nolichucky River, Horse Creek, Dry Creek and Clark Creek. Horse Creek and Old Forge Recreation areas offer picnicking, water play and camping.
- Horse Creek Recreation Area
- Old Forge Recreation Area
- Big Frog Area
This area is known for solitude and backcountry adventure, with Big Frog Wilderness being a destination for backpacking, day-hiking and hunting.
The area offers about 35 miles of backcountry trails, some of which climb to over 4,000 feet. In addition to the backcountry hiking opportunities, the area is also managed as a Black Bear reserve. Try snorkeling at Conasauga River, renowned for remarkable fish viewing. Pitch a tent at Tumbling Creek or Sylco Campgrounds.
- Conasauga River Blue Hole
- Citico Creek Area
This area provides opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. You will find ample opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, camping, and hiking.
With more than 20,000 acres of Wilderness in Citico Creek and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, this area provides ample opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. Catch both native and stocked trout in Citico Creek and its rugged tributaries, and fish for small-mouth bass and catfish in the creek’s lower reaches.
- Citico Creek
- Jake Best Campground
- French Broad River Area
This area’s wooded mountainsides and creek gorges are linked by an extensive road and trail system. Activities include fishing, hiking, horseback riding, creek play and camping.
At Paint Creek, camping, fishing, swimming and picnicking are popular activities. Other water-based opportunities include driving along scenic Brush Creek or exploring warm-water Allen Branch or Paint Creek ponds. Enjoy the scenery from horseback on 35 miles of multi-use trails, also open to mountain bikers and hikers. The Appalachian Scenic Trail lies along the eastern edge of this area.
- French Broad River
- Paint Creek Campground
- Paint Creek Corridor
- Picnicking and many other recreation opportunities are available along scenic Paint Creek Corridor. Forest Road #41 parallels Paint Creek five miles between Paint Creek Campground and the French Broad River. Driving for pleasure is one of the most popular activities along the corridor, though bicycling is becoming increasingly more common. Paint Creek is stocked with trout during the summer months, and fly fishing is another favorite activity. Along the corridor, you’ll also find overlooks to observe Kelly and Dudley Falls, a warm water fishing pond, hiking trails and opportunities for dispersed camping.
- Moses Turn
- Overlook Picnic Area
- Paint Creek Picnic Area
- Hiwassee River Area
Forested hillsides and pastoral river bottoms complement the beauty of Hiwassee River Gorge. Fishing, rafting, canoeing and hiking are popular activities.
The 21-mile John Muir National Recreation Trail , a section of the longer distance Benton MacKaye Trail, meanders along the river. Camp at the nearby state campground at Gee Creek.
Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing available include: Wade, Shore, Motorized boat, Fly; Boat Launch available
- Hiwassee River
- Hiwassee River Gorge
The Hiwassee River is a State Scenic River and offers Class I-III rapids that are suitable for the whole family. Local outfitters rent rafts and tubes and provide shuttle service to the put-in. The first 5.5 miles of the river flow through the Cherokee National Forest and the last half mile is a river valley with farmland and homes.
- Apalachia Powerhouse Launch
- Big Bend
- Childers Creek Trailhead
- Hiwassee River Picnic Area
- Lost Creek Campground
- Holston Mountain Area
Holston Mountain provides a scenic backdrop for South Holston Lake and is a venue for boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing and horseback riding.
A horse trail complex winds for more than 30 miles along both sides of Holston Mountain. Visit the scenic Blue Hole waterfall located off TN Highway 91.
Camp on the lakeshore at Jacob’s Creek and Little Oak Recreation Areas.
- Iron Mountains
Rugged mountain solitude can be experienced throughout this area. Long distance backpacking, trout fishing and the shortest tunnel in the world are a few features you can find here.
The Osborne Farm offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). From there, take a multi-day backpack trip along the A.T. and Iron Mountain Trail. Try your hand at trout fishing in Beaverdam and Laurel Creeks. Camp at Backbone Rock Recreation Area and explore what is known locally as the shortest tunnel in the world.
- Backbone Rock Recreation Area
- Pigeon River Area
Favorite activities in this remote area include whitewater rafting, hiking and camping.
Located between the French Broad and Pigeon Rivers, this area offers pockets of backcountry nestled among the rural communities of Cocke County, TN. This area is home to Catherine Marshalls’s novel Christy and the historic Wasp Community. Hike a section of the Appalachian Trail and other forest trails. Camp at Round Mountain, rated as the number one tent campground in Tennessee. Explore Martha Sundquist State Forest and contact local outfitters to help guide your whitewater adventure.
- Pigeon River
- Tellico River Area
This area provides outstanding opportunities for fishing, camping, hiking, and scenic driving. It is also home to the popular Indian Boundary Recreation Area and the Cherohala Skyway.
Nearly 30,000 acres of remote backcountry surround three rivers and their tributaries, where fishing for brown, rainbow and brook trout is excellent. Cherohala Skyway (TN 165/NC143), a 43-mile National Scenic Byway, winds between Tellico Plains, Tenn. and Robbinsville, N.C. Tellico River Road (FR 210) offers intimate views of the river and 90-foot Bald River Falls.
Spend the night at the historic Donley Cabin and check out CCC structures at Tellico Ranger Station and Dam Creek Picnic Area. Hike across the area on the Benton MacKaye Trail. Camp at sites along Tellico River or in Indian Boundary Recreation Area just off Cherohala Skyway.
- Holly Flats
- McNabb Group Camp
- Tellico River
- Tellico River Corridor
The Tellico River Corridor provides ample opportunities for day use.
- Big Oak Cove Campground
- Birch Branch Campground
- Davis Branch Campground
- Holder Cove Campground
- Rough Ridge Campground
- Unaka Mountains
Backcountry trails, scenic driving and the Nolichucky River provide opportunities for outdoor adventure. High elevation balds along the Unaka Mountain Range offer spectacular views.
Look for Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower located on the crest of Buffalo Mountain. The zone is rich with Civilian Conservation Corps history: view their legacy at Laurels, Rock Creek and Unaka Mountain Road. Enjoy picnicking at Laurels, Limestone Cove, Rock Creek and Chestoa or camp at Rock Creek Recreation Area.
- Chestoa Recreation Area
- Limestone Cove Day Use Area
- Watauga Lake Area
Water recreation is abundant in this area, featuring Watauga Lake; the Doe, Elk and Watauga rivers; several streams and seven waterfalls.
Highly developed recreation areas along Watauga Lake provide facilities for fishing, picnicking, swimming and boat launching. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs through the area's backcountry. Camp on the lakeshore at Cardens Bluff or in the backcountry along Laurel Fork Creek at Dennis Cove.
- Dennis Cove Recreation Area