Watauga River
A cold tailwater below Wilbur Dam near Elizabethton with rainbows, browns and a well known spring caddis hatch.
- 98 miRiver length
- 3Game fish
- 70Access points
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About the Watauga
The Watauga River is a tailwater in Northeast Tennessee. Its trout water starts below Wilbur Dam, just downstream of Watauga Lake, and runs through Elizabethton to Boone Lake. Cold water from the bottom of the lake keeps trout healthy all year.
The river holds stocked rainbows and browns, plus a good number of wild browns. It is known for heavy caddis hatches in spring and steady sulphur hatches into summer. Midges keep fish feeding through the winter.
Flows come from TVA dam releases. With no water running, much of the river is easy to wade, with long riffles and gravel bars. When the dam generates, the river rises fast and is better fished from a drift boat or raft.
Part of the river is managed as a quality zone with its own rules, so check the current TWRA regulations before you keep any fish.
Gages near Watauga River
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Other gages nearby
- Nolichucky River at Embreeville, TN23.7 mi away Not reporting USGS 03465500
- South F Holston River near Damascus, VA26.7 mi away Not reporting USGS 03473000
- Middle F Holston River near Meadowview, VA31.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 03475000
- Big Limestone Creek near Limestone, TN33.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 03466208
- South Toe River near Celo, NC33.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 03463300
- Wilson Creek at Secondary Road 1335 at Adako, NC34.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 02140510
- Yadkin River at Patterson, NC35.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 02111000
- South Fork New River near Jefferson, NC36.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 03161000
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
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Tips for fishing the Watauga
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Check the TVA release schedule
Look up the planned releases for Wilbur Dam before every trip. Wade only when no generation is scheduled, and get out of the river as soon as it starts to rise.
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Be ready for the caddis
Spring caddis hatches can be thick. Bring caddis pupa and Elk Hair Caddis in a few sizes.
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Fish sulphurs in the evening
From late spring into summer, sulphur mayflies often come off later in the day. Light tippet and a careful drift matter in the flat water.
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Float when it runs
With generation on, a drift boat lets you work the banks with streamers or a nymph rig. It is the best way to see a lot of river.
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Know the quality zone rules
One section has special size and tackle rules. Check TWRA regulations so you know where they apply.
Every access point on the Watauga, in your pocket.
- 70 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
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Rivers near the Watauga
Watauga River FAQ
Where is the Watauga River trout water?
From Wilbur Dam below Watauga Lake downstream through Elizabethton to Boone Lake in Northeast Tennessee.
When is the best time to fly fish the Watauga?
Spring is a favorite because of the caddis hatch. Sulphurs keep summer evenings busy, and fall and winter can fish well on low-water days with midges and small nymphs.
Can you wade the Watauga River?
Yes, when the dam is not generating. Always check the TVA schedule first, because the water can rise quickly once releases start.
What flies work on the Watauga?
Caddis pupa and dries in spring, sulphur nymphs and dries in summer, and midges and small nymphs in winter. Streamers are good when the water is up.
What trout live in the Watauga River?
Stocked rainbows and browns, plus wild browns that grow large in the cold tailwater.
Does the Watauga have special regulations?
Yes. Part of the river is a quality zone with its own rules. Check the current TWRA regulations before you fish.
