Tennessee Fishing

Fishing Regulations
Fishing Brochures
Best Time To Fish
Specific Fishing Sites
Lake Facilities And Conditions
Fish Attractors
Boats
Maps
When and Where
*TVA Lakes, +Corps of Engineer Lakes

News Releases

Upcoming Events

Provided by:
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
TWRA has pledged to preserve, protect, and enhance. As an Agency we will continue to work with our sportsmen to ensure a future for wildlife.

Fly Fishing

 East of Johnson City, the beautiful mountain streams of East Tennessee offer some of the best fly fishing east of the Mississippi River.

Fish for Large Lake Trout and Small Mouth Bass in Beautiful Lake Watauga. Rainbow Trout are abundant in the streams of the Cherokee National Forest. If Red-Eye Bass is what you prefer, Doe River is the place to go!

Watauga Lake

With its cool, clear water reflecting the surrounding mountains, Watauga Lake is one of the most beautiful in the entire TVA system. The word "Watauga" is a Native American term meaning beautiful waters. The lake is located in Carter and Johnson counties in upper East Tennessee. Nearby communities include Mountain City, Butler, Hampton, and Elizabethton. Thirteen species of game fish including rainbow and brown trout, walleye, and smallmouth and largemouth bass inhabit the waters of the lake.

Directions

Interstate 81 to Exit 69 to Highway 37 at end of ramp turn right onto Highway 394 go approximately 4 miles turn right on 19E/11E toward Johnson City. Stay on 19E South approximately 2 miles. Turn left follow signs to Elizabethton. Left on to Highway 91. Approximately 2 miles turn right on Blue Springs Road. Stay straight through the first fork. Turn right and cross one lane bridge. Follow signs to the dam.

Watauga Lake
Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Valley Authority
Holston Watershed Team
Suite 218, 4105 Fort Henry Drive
Kingsport, TN 37663
Phone: 423-882-5263
Email:tvainfo@tva.gov

South Holston Lake

S outh Holston Lake was named for the river that bears the name of Steven Holston, an early settler of the Tennessee Valley. Situated on the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains, the deep, clear waters of the 7,580-acre lake extend from northeastern Tennessee into Virginia. About 60 percent of the shoreline is bordered by the Cherokee National Forest, which further enhances the recreation appeal of the area.

Directions

Interstate 81 to Exit 69, right at bottom of ramp, go through light on 37 South. 
Approximately 4 miles to 11E - 394/390 junction. Go straight through light. 
Approximately 7.5 miles to 394/11E junction, to 421 junction, right on 421 South at light. Go approximately 2 miles turn right on Emmit TVA Road to Holston View Dam Road.

South Holston Lake
Tennessee Valley Authority
Holston Watershed Team
Suite 218
4105 Fort Henry Drive
Kingsport, TN 37663
Phone: 423-882-5263
Email:tvainfo@tva.gov

Fort Patrick Henry Lake

Named for the four-time governor of Virginia, Fort Patrick Henry Dam impounds the South Fork of the Holston River. This small lake, which is 10 miles long and covers 872 acres, is located just east of Kingsport, Tennessee and is easily accessible from Interstate 81. Favorite game fish are rainbow trout, bluegill, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and crappie.

Directions

Take exit 59 on I-81 and go north on Highway 36 approximately 2 miles. Cross the Holston River and the exit to the lake is on the right.

Fort Patrick Henry Lake
Tennessee Valley Authority
Holston Watershed Team
Suite 218
4105 Fort Henry Drive
Kingsport, TN 37663
Phone: 423-882-5263
Email:tvainfo@tva.gov

Warrior's Path State Park

Year-round lake fishing can be enjoyed at Warrior's Path.  A valid Tennessee fishing license is required.  Catches generally include crappie, bream, bass, trout and catfish.

PO Box 5026
Hemlock Road
Kingsport, TN  37663
423-239-8531
fax: 423-239-4982

New River & Watauga River
Fly fish for small mouth bass, red-eye bass, catfish, and in some areas rather large muskies along with three varieties of trout on the New River which winds through Alleghany, Ashe, & Watauga Counties and also in the Watauga River.

Other High Country Streams
Streams and lakes known for their good fishing are Wilson Creek, Elk River (between Banner Elk and Elk Park on Hwy. 194), Howard's Creek (off Hwy. 194 north of Boone), Boone's Fork (off Watauga River above Hound Ears), the Globe section of the Johns River Gorge (eight miles south of Blowing Rock off US 321 on Globe Rd.), Anthony Creek, Johns River and Big Horse Creek (upstream from Lower SR 1361 bridge to the VA state line).

Moses Cone Park - Bass Lake & Trout Lake
Bass and blue gill with Trout Lake designated as native trout waters.

Grandfather Trout Farm
Trout fishing for the whole family in a stocked pond.  A fishing license is not required for the trout farm and the charge is based upon the amount of fish caught.   The trout pond season generally runs from the first Saturday in April through about mid November.  Located on Hwy. 105, across from the entrance to town of Seven Devils, Banner Elk, NC. 828-963-5098

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
A beautiful mountain reservoir, where a number of species of fish are caught, i.e., bass, perch, crappie, and bream. There are numerous boat launching areas and fishing piers. There are also several swimming sights and an area for canoe launching. For more information contact the Resource Manager, P.O. Box 182, Wilkesboro, NC 28697   336-921-3750 or 336-921-3390.

Streams and lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal regulation.   They are stocked annually and offer excellent fishing.  Most mountain streams in the area are stocked with trout and also have native trout. 

Fishing Guides

Appalachian Angler Fly Shop & Guide Service
Fly fishing guide service and full service fly shop.  Located in Boone, NC.
828-963-5050

Journey's Edge Guide

Upstream Guide Service

State fishing licenses or short - term permits are required for all fisherman 16 years old and up; state trout stamps are not required on Parkway waters.  The Parkway fishing season, which runs in conjunction with the state's season, is from the first Saturday in April through the last of February (the month of March is used for stocking).

For further licensing information and regulations contact:
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27604-1188 or
General Information - 919-662-4381
Inland Fisheries Division- 919-733-3633
Enforcement Division- 919-733-7191