Watauga Lake, aka Lake Watauga, is 16.2 miles long and covers 6,430 acres (10.05 square miles). During the catch-and-release season, only artificial lures are permitted and the use or possession of bait is prohibited. Salmon eggs, mealworms and locally available baits can also be very successful and often are similar to food sources in the environment. 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. One-day sport fishing licenses are exempt from the Ocean Enhancement Validation requirement. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Our professional guides assist you as you. Trout eat the Black Fly larvae, pupae and the adults. 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. We are now in the recreation flow schedule for the summer. West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch except those sections set aside as Childrens Streams. It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use a drift boat. It is about 60 miles long and begins the confluence of the Shanty Spring Branch and the Green Ridge Branch on Grandfather Mountain in Watauga County, North Carolina. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. Watauga is Cherokee and it simply means: beautiful river. 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. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. All orders are shipped freein theU. This river is best targeted on a Full Day Float with the option to get out and wade during low water flows. In addition to its various water types, the Watauga River is a blue ribbon trout factory boasting around 6000 fish per mile, made up by 85 percent wild brown trout and the other 15 percent by stocked and wild rainbow trout. Amenities. One single-hook artificial lure separated from a legal lure by a length of line (for example: a dropper fly) is also permitted. The Watauga can be waded when they are not generating power and fished from a small boat anytime. Options For Selecting Flies:1. Eisenhower Park Lake also is stocked with catfish, usually in early spring. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. The following species may be: . Anyone interested in fishing Watauga River or waters within the wider area around Johnson City should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Watauga River Fishing Report. Summer:Summertime is marginal, the water can become too warm.Fall:Fall is a beautiful time to fish this stream and a good time to catch one of its large brown trout. . He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Leconte Creek from Painters Branch upstream to Park Boundary. Good news, the wind speed is currently at 0 mph is considered in the optimal range for fishing as the ripples caused by the wind on the water's surface will help hide the line an lure on Watauga River. Anyone . Please ensure to adhere to the fishing regulations for the state. or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at [email protected]. 30 daily limit is 2 trout. Access points for the reservoir can be found on TWRAs website. While fishing or when afield, possession of more than the daily creel limit shall be prohibited, regardless of whether the trout are fresh, stored in an ice chest, in a vehicle, or otherwise preserved. That is just the start. Prices and optons are listed . 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. The Upper Gorge Watauga Park is located 15 minutes from Boone. Light Green and Cream midges are hatching. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. 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. If you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River Fishing License 24/7. Summer: Smallmouth move to deeper water. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. West Prong Little Pigeon River from North Park Lane Bridge (Herbert Holt Park) downstream to Gatlinburg By-pass Bridge. 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. A tribal word for beautiful river, Watauga County is named after the Indian tribe and river of the same name. They make excellent gifts. It is known for its caddis, but also has great BWO and Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane flies, and terrestrials. An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or permits. Appropriate licenses from TN or NC are valid. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. How do you catch lake trout on Watauga Lake? Region 4 Office:423-587-7037 not accessible to wade fishing. The best largemouth densities are in Roan, Doe, and Cobb Creeks and the upper Elk and Watauga Rivers. 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. 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. Contact our guides to have your questions answered. March 1 through Sept. 30: 7 trout creel limit, only 2 may be brown trout. Click here for the latest 7 day fishing weather forecast for Watauga River. Closed to all fishing Nov. 1Jan. Rainbow Trout: 5 per day, 1420 inch PLR, only one fish over 20 inches may be harvested. Information about locations and types of structures for fish habitats can be found on TWRAs website. Fishing: Yes, observe TWRA regulations and be aware of Wilbur Dam release schedule Camping: No Directions From Johnson City, take Route 400 (Watauga Road) toward the Watauga River. Prices and optons are listed including non resident fishing . This beautiful river is home to more than 6,000 trout per mile. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The reservoir was formed by the impounding of the Watauga River in 1948. 1-800-594-4726. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Its popularly known for housing rainbow trout and trophy trout. Here's your fishing report for today the 24th of February for Watauga River. Fishing permitted year-round, except on Thursday, from one half-hour before official sunrise to one half-hour after official sunset. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. Summer: Good night fishing on worms and lizards. We encourage waders to check flows, as this river is not wade-friendly when Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is generating. This river is best targeted on a Full Day Float with the option to get out and wade during low water flows. 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 Watauga River offers great fishing all year. One single-hook artificial lure separated from a legal lure by a length of line (for example, a dropper fly) is also permitted. Walleye were initially stocked in 1954 and have been stocked consistently since 1985. They do have slightly different behavior patterns. 36.2824, -81.8652 Beaverdam Creek. Toll-Free:1-800-332-0900 The tailwater is stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout by the (TWRA) Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency. Fishing permitted year-round, except on Thursday, from one half-hour before official sunrise to one half-hour after official sunset. $29.42. Come with us for some trout fishing. About Chetola Lake Chetola Lake is near Boone. Cinnamon caddis and Green Sedge caddis are hatching. 28 2017-2018 Fishing Guide TROUT REGULATIONS Delayed Harvest Areas In the areas listed below, the harvest or possession of trout is prohibited during the catch -and-release . 10 miles from Watauga River. Prices and optons are . Prices and optons are listed including non resident fishing licenses. Fishing maps, detailed area road maps and exhaustive fishing information for lakes across the state are provided in this handy eBook. 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. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Spotted (Kentucky) bass make up a large percentage of the black bass found in several areas of the reservoir. Lake Trout - Summer: Troll spoons in 90 to 120 feet of water. Imitations of the larvae, pupae and adults will catch trout throughout the season. Tellico-Citico Permit required March 1 through Aug. 15. Help Us Save Tennessees Premier Smallmouth Fisheries! Anglers who are familiar with Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Brook Trout: 5 per day, 1420 inch PLR, only one fish over 20 inches may be harvested. From Aug. 16 through the last day of February fishing is allowed every day and Tellico-Citico Permit is not required. 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." This is especially true in the trophy section of the stream. California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations regarding fish limits apply. There is not a great deal of access for the wading angler but a few locations exit. For fly fishers, be aware that it may be difficult to cast your line due to all the forestry. Special fishing regulations apply and a Post Fishing Permit is required in addition to a valid Tennessee fishing license and trout stamp. Its by no means a great destination stream, but one well worth fishing if you are in the area. 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. Anglers who are familiar with Watauga River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. View fishing report . Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail. Other than the Sulphurs, there are some very good Blue-winged Olive hatches that take place. 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. Small flies tipped with minnows, grubs, small crankbaits, and spinners are recommended. All levels of trout fishing experience welcomed. As an angler, some waters are more fun to fish than others. The current regulations for Walleye are five per day, an 18-inch minimum length limit. Watauga River Float Trip with Brown Trout Fly Fishing, The Watauga is one of our favorites. 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. Standard river walleye fishing tactics (grubs, flies, and minnows) should work. Hours open hour before official sunrise to hour after official sunset. This section begins at Wilber dam and terminates into Boone Lake approximately 17 miles downstream. During the spring, the flooded willows in the creeks and in the backs of coves can be very productive. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. The shoreline is farmland, wooded, and mountainous. After it comes out of Wilbur dam it flows and winds for 22 miles of blue ribbon trout fishing water. Trout less than 14 inches may not be in possession. He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. Its an incredibly ample space to learn and explore different fly fishing techniques. There is no better tailwater to explore all you want than the Watauga River. 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