Top places to trout fish around Chattanooga

[bkschiavon]

If you're in the market for some monster trout this spring but don't know where to start looking, here are a few of the best trout fisheries (IMO) around chattanooga within reasonable distance.

5. Telico river- Very accessable, and offers great trout fishing every year and a chance to catch some quality fish if you know what you're doing.

4. Hiawassee- Probably the most well known around Chattanooga. Easy to get to, accessable, and supports a wide variety to fishermen from flys to corn. Success largely depends on water flow so check the flow schedule and be careful!

3. Waters creek- This one is a hidden gem! 99 percent fly fishermen, 100 percent trophy fishermen. Located about 10 miles north of Dahlonega GA you will have to attain a GA license, trout stamp and a WMA permit to fish here. Dot your I's and cross your T's in regards to regulations before making the trip (artificial, single hook, barbless, etc.) If you don't physically see a trout larger than 18 inches you need to go back to Lake Jr. and practice some more.

2. The Clinch- By canoe or boat this is one of the best in the South East for producing lunker trout, wading as I have found is another story. Very clear water and high water flow make this one pretty tough sometimes but the oppertunity to land a monster is there everytime you cast.

and the # 1 spot?

1. Well you didn't think I would tell you All my favorites did ya?

 

[churly]

Your missing one: Caney Fork. You can navigate the whole river in a Jon boat and you dont have to deal with the snakes. browns have to be 18" and the river is full of them, and only getting better. Clinch is awsome as well, just tough to navigate soemtimes like the Hiwasee.

 

[bkschiavon]

The last time I fished Caney Fork I caught way more walleye than anything else, we boated about 10. One was about 5.10...nasty looking critters.

 

[churly]

I've fished there since I was old enough to walk and I have never caught a walleye in there, but I have never fished for them there. I have seen some big ones caught. I fish within 6 miles of the C.H. Dam. I've seen alot of huge browns caught out of there including a 26", 7.5lber thats on my wall. I know there are big browns in most of the aforementioned fisheries, but there are high concentrations of big browns in the Caney due to the 18"/2 fish limit.

 

[fishful thinkin]

I love fishing in Tellico. It is extremely nice there. Plus we like to fish on Saturday and ride four wheelers on Sunday. It's a great place to do both. However, I did fish the Clinch for the first time back toward the end of last summer. I caught a 16.5" rainbow. The biggest trout I've ever caught. I've never caught any trophies in Tellico, but I seldom leave without plenty to eat.

 

[Guest]

We are really lucky to have so many great places to fish for trout around here. Just a few you may have left out- The smokies are the best and only place to catch wild trout around here and if you have never caught a wild one it's like the difference between a smallmouth and a bluegill. they are super strong and refuse to give up like some of the stockers do. And don't forget about the Elk river, it's small but worth the drive. Tellico opens this weekend I think or sometime real soon, just be sure to take your own rock cause it's not exactly a secret spot, if you don't take your own rock the first few days you will not have a place to standemoLaugh