Blue Ridge Fishing – Come Visit Georgia’s Trout Fishing Capital
Blue Ridge (Fannin County) is Georgia’s Trout Fishing Capital. The beautiful streams, rivers, and lakes in North Georgia provide ample opportunities for fishing. Whether you’re a beginner fisherman or you have years of experience behind you, it’s a wonderful way to spend some time in the great outdoors and really see more of what North Georgia fishing has to offer. Spend the day fishing in Blue Ridge for a father-son outing, a peaceful day on your own, or a fun afternoon with friends.
You can check out the area waterways on your own, or you can use a local fishing guide for help. Local fishing guides will be able to tell you the most scenic places to fish, the most heavily populated streams, and the best ways to access them. Some local fishing guides include:
Welch’s Guide Service
(706) 455-2323
We have access to over eight different lakes in three different states! Come fish with us!
http://www.northgafishingguide.com/
*For information on lake levels and releases, please see www.tva.gov
Great Resources for Outdoor Activities in Georgia – www.gofishgeorgia.com
Adventure Outreach Ministries
(706) 455-7972
Reel Angling Adventures
866-899-5259
https://reelanglingadventures.com/
On The Fly Excursions
706-633-0306
https://www.ontheflyexc.com/fly-fishing-rivers/
Blue Ridge Fly Fishing & Canoe Guides
(706) 838-5515
All equipment provided & 8 years experience teaching young & old how to fish.
www.blueridgeflyfishingguides.com
Ellijay Fishing
Eric Crowley: 706-669-4973
[email protected]
ellijayfishing.com/
Noontoola Creek Farms
Fly Fishing Reservations call Unicoi Outfitters at (706) 632-1880
Located in Dial, GA offers 2 miles of wadeable water divided into 4 separate sections. Fly fishing and catch and release only.
Reel Angling Adventures
(866) 899-5259 Bob Borgwat
Year – Round Guided Sport fishing in the Appalachian Mountains.
www.reelanglingadventures.com
Sharper Bites
(706) 632-7051
Georgia Wild Trout
469-678-9154
https://www.georgiawildtrout.com/
Upper River Adventures
(800) 206-8024 Gene Rutkowski
Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery
(706) 838-4723
4730 Rock Creek Road, Suches, GA 30572
Operated by the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service, the hatchery raises about a million rainbow trout each year to stock the tailwaters, streams, & lakes of northern Georgia. Stop by for a tour, a picnic, or hike. Bring your own gear, bait, & license and fish on-site! Visitors can tour the hatchery and visitors center, fish Rock Creek, have a picnic or take a hike. Open year round 7:30-4:00 daily.
Toccoa River
The Toccoa is stocked with fish above Blue Ridge Dam about every other week during trout season. Most of it is on private land, but much of the section along Rt. 60, near the town of Margaret, flows through National Forest. The river below the dam is very broad in most areas, making it a good choice for fly fishermen. Trout are also stocked regularly in this section. A popular way to fish this area is to float-fish from the dam downstream approximately 15 miles to McCaysville. Use caution. Water levels can rise suddenly. Check dates and times for water releases from Blue Ridge dam at 800-238-2264
Shallowford Bridge – Above the Dam – Aska Road
Shallowford Bridge is an old steel one-lane bridge over the Toccoa River. Fish under the bridge or along the dirt road to the right following the river on the Benton MacKaye Trail.
Tammen Park – Below the Dam – Appalachian Highway
Tammen Park is a very popular place to fly fish for trout in the Toccoa River below the Lake Blue Ridge Dam. This park also has ball fields, playground equipment, and picnic areas. Call in advance for water-release information (800) 238-2264.
Cooper’s Creek: Hwy. 60 South between Morganton and Dahlonega
This area offers camping, hiking, and trout fishing. Fishing in Cooper Creek and Mulky Creek for stocked and wild trout is popular. From Blue Ridge, take Highway 76 east to Morganton; turn right on Hwy. 60 south toward Dahlonega for 16 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 4 for 6 miles.
Noontootla Creek: Forest Service Rd. 58, southeast of Blue Ridge in the Blue Ridge Wildlife Mgmt. Area.
The creek and its tributaries are managed to imitate a natural stream with an un-harvested trout population, to provide a unique experience that emphasizes catching wild trout for fun, rather than harvest. If you’re lucky and catch a very rare trophy trout that is 16 inches or longer, you may keep it. All smaller trout must be released immediately. Artificial lures only.
Jacks and Consauga Rivers: Forest Service Roads 22, 64 and 73 off State Rte. 2 west of Blue Ridge.
Inside the Cohutta Wilderness there are 45 miles of fishing opportunities on the Jacks (March – October) and Conasauga Rivers (open year round). The Jacks is not stocked, but it contains reproducing trout populations. If you want real wilderness, this is the place. The Forest Service has a detailed map of the wilderness. It is wise to have this map if you plan a fishing or hiking trip to this wild area.
Horseshoe Bend Park – Below the Dam – River Road off of Highway 60, McCaysville
Horseshoe Bend Park is a beautiful park with good trout fishing on the Toccoa River. From Blue Ridge take Highway 5 into McCaysville. Turn right onto Highway 60 then drive a short distance and turn right on River Road. The park has a playground, picnic pavilions, and restrooms.
Rock Creek: Forest Service Rd. 69 off State Rte. 60, Between Morganton and Dahlonega
The Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery is located on Rock Creek. This creek and other nearby streams are stocked with trout from the federal hatchery, which is open year round. Rock Creek also supports good populations of wild trout, including native brook trout in some of the high elevation tributaries. This area is highly used.
