A trout license is not required An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or permits. RV Camping As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,719. The largest freestone trout stream in Tennessee, the Tellico River is a mix of wild and stocked rainbow and brown trout. Tellico River Area, Areas for If you are caught without that special license, the costs can add up $35 in fines can turn into nearly $500 in court costs. Scenic Driving Theres a daily Tellico/Citico permit required to fish the Tellico River. Beyond Tellico Plains, the river winds its way northward through rural Monroe County, Tennessee, before entering the slack waters of Tellico Lake. Catfish . Unless otherwise restricted in this proclamation, anglers are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole or hand-held line Single, double or treble hooks each count as one hook. You can catch trout fishing these hatches, but not as consistently as you can on the Little Black Caddis, Blue Quills or Quill Gordons. They would last 5 minutes. A West Virginia fishing license is required and please keep in mind that the catch-and-release section of the Elk begins at the headwaters and runs for nearly five miles. Total daily creel of all trout (rainbow, brown and brook) in combination is 5 fish. Swimming The trout catch limit for the Tellico River is seven fish per day. A valid Tennessee drivers license or proof of age and residency is required. Dont fish or stay in the campground during bear season, and I would guess its that way during deer and turkey season also. Its waters are home to a flourishing population of fish, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and striped bass. Needle stoneflies also hatch in October through November. A 4-mile (6.4km) stretch of the river above Tellico Plains runs parallel to the Cherohala Skyway. Also, Little Yellow Quills will begin to hatch in the high elevations. Caney Fork River is one of the longest trout fishing rivers in the state spanning almost 150 miles in length. Tennessee has more than 22,000 miles of streams, 29 major reservoirs, and at least 315 species of fish. https://fishingreports.orvis.com/southeast/tennessee/tellico-river, https://southeasternanglers.com/the-rivers/tellico-river-fly-fishing-guide-service.html, https://perfectflystore.com/your-streams/fly-fishing-tellico-river-tennessee/, https://www.tellicooutfitters.com/ourwaters, https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/twra/documents/licensing/TN-Tellico-Trout-fishing-requirements.pdf. Nationally recognized as a premier trout stream, the Tellico River in Monroe County, Tennessee, is a freestone stream located within the heart of The Cherokee National Forest. How to Trout Fish The Basics for Beginners, The Best Trout Fishing on the Arkansas White River, 5 Tips on Trout Fishing: A Beginners Guide to Catch the Big One, All the Best Tips for Lake Fishing for Catfish, https://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/fishing/trout-regulations, https://www.tnvacation.com/articles/where-fish-trout-tennessee, https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_trout-fishing_tn_aa045003a/191751, The Best Tips and Tricks to Fishing in Lake Tahoe. We have fished it a dozen or more times. The DNR also stocks warm water fish all over the state for those interested in picking a fight with the giants. Golden stoneflies are present in some areas of the river. Some of the wild tributaries are also available to the fly angler and boast good populations of native fish. PLEASE NOTE: This is an information and administrative office located in Cleveland, TN and is not actually in the forest. Dont get me wrong about the main river. In other words, there are about three different types of water in this watershed. Due to the controversial nature of this project, closure of the dam did not take place until November 29, 1979. March Brown nymphs are flat hydrodynamic shaped clinger/crawlers with an underside that is cupped, with the gill plates forming a sucker to help hold the nymph to rocks in extremely fast water. (423) 476-9700 After exiting the mountains, the river enters Tellico Plains, a relatively flat and isolated area carved out by the river and several tributaries, namely Morgan Creek and Smoky Run. Can you fish for free in Tennessee without a license? The Mahogany Duns, a sister to the early Blue Quills, usually hatch in large quantities and provide some great action. If you want to fish either stocked or native (wild) trout in the east's most scenic and inviting fishing gorge please go to the town of Tellico Plains, Tn Once there, head eastward on the Cherohala Skyway which follows the river for several miles. Trout Stocking Schedules 2022-2023 Winter Trout One thing is for sure: The Tellico nymph catches fish like the devil. The largest freestone trout stream in Tennessee, the Tellico River is a mix of wild and stocked rainbow and brown trout. This is one of the simplest trout rigs, and consists of a fixed bobber attached to the line, as well as a hook and sinker to weigh down the baited hook in the water. Many postcards feature the streams tumbling mountain waters as the main theme and tourists continue to travel from miles around for a photo of its main . The wild brook trout (some were stocked at least at one point) are easy to catch and the natives arent really picky either. Broken down by species, only one brown trout per day measuring at least twenty-four inches in length, and five each of rainbow and brook trout per day measuring fourteen to twenty inches in length are the catch limits. What is the fine for fishing without a license in Tennessee? ( Official websites use .gov A .gov The Tellico River is spotted with a few wild trout mixed in its waters, with the heaviest concentration of natives in its upper section. Tellico River isprimarily known forits incredible fishingopportunites. Wild Trout Streams Tennessee is fortunate to have an abundant wild trout resource. During the month of June, grasshoppers, beetles, ants and inch worms, all terrestrial insects, become important food items for the trout. Forest Supervisor's Office(8a-4:30p M-F) https://fishingreports.orvis.com/southeast/tennessee/tellico-river The best place to access the river via wading is just downstream of the Watauga Dam. These little gems are as beautiful as trout get, and the Tellico area is blessed to have over 20 miles of stream where these natural treasures have maintained a foothold despite decades of shrinking habitat. The main stem of the Tellico River is heavily stocked by the state and requires a special permit to fish. Boating - Non-Motorized at The Watauga River, South Holston River, Caney Fork River, Tellico River, and Dale Hollow are just a handful of the various bodies of water that boast a great opportunity to catch trout. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! You cannot use baited fishing gear in this river and the trout limit is two fish per day measuring at least fourteen inches in length. The Tellico River has its share of huge brown trout too, but they are constantly hiding from the people sight seeing and fishing. The largest freestone trout stream in Tennessee, the Tellico River is a mix of wild and stocked rainbow and brown trout. The upper section, much like the gorge section, is accessible only by foot, but the stream is much less rugged here. The stocked trout are fairly easy to catch. It is 33 miles long with 357 miles of shoreline and a reputation as being one of the cleanest lakes in East Tennessee. Use or possession of bait or multiple hook lures is prohibited One single-hook artificial lure separated from a legal lure by a length of line (for example: a dropper fly) is also permitted. The Tellico River and its main tributaries are renowned for their brook, brown, and rainbow trout fishing. Day Hiking These are small mayflies, usually a hook size 18-20 but they will get the attention of the trout. This trail is 5.6 miles and ends on Forest Service Road 126 and is rated a moderate hike. We dont fish the stockers but if people are going to pay for catching them, they deserve workers stocking them that are not that lazy. If youre fishing for trout in or near the Smoky Mountains, late March through June will be the best times to fish. 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. For a full list of these rules and regulations, pleasevisit TWRA's website HERE. daily creel limit of 7 trout, with no size limit. connected to the .gov website. Around the same time you will begin to see the Little Black Caddis orBrachcentruscaddis species. An official website of the Tellico River is primarily known for its incredible fishing opportunites. The larva and adults areimportant insects to imitate. Basically, the lower end of the main stem of the Tellico is large water with some large pools. The upper reaches of Tellico Reservoir in the Little Tennessee Arm below Chilhowee Dam can support trout due to the cold, well-oxygenated releases from the Chilhowee Reservoir. Fishing rules and regulations on the Tellico River are managed through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. This river boasts some giant trout and is very popular; however, anyone wishing to fish here must purchase a Tellico-Citco permit. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued warnings for PCBs in Fort Loudoun, Melton Hill, Tellico and Watts Bar lakes. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. ) or https:// means you've safely The Tellico River is our home water. This area provides outstanding opportunities for fishing, camping, hiking, and scenic driving. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Our office operations have changeddue to COVID-19. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". With a length of 52.8 miles (85.0 km), it is a major tributary of the Little Tennessee River, and is one of the primary streams draining the Unicoi Mountains. Fly Fishing Guide to the Tellico River:Fly fishing the Tellico River is first of all a matter of when and where. Its worth it to backpack into the stream if you can. He created a highly detailed map, "Draught of the Cherokee Country" (see on this page), and a memoir recording many details of the chiefs and the populations of the towns. The Elk River below Tims Ford Dam in south-central Tennessee is known for its aquatic diversity, and home to a regionally important trout fishery. There are certain areas of the river that are closed to fishing from November 1 to January 31. READ SOMETHING ELSE What happened to the Tellico Dam? Rainbow, brown and brook trout: Daily limit of 4 in combination with a 7-inch minimum length limit. The total trout catch limit for the Caney Fork River encompassing all three species is five fish per day. They will provide a lot of action late in the afternoons around sunset. And when theyre actively feeding, theyre prime targets for lures, baits, and flies. It begins near the fish hatchery where its followed by a forest service road. Tellico Trout Farm, a commercial fish farm and hatchery, offers the finest rainbow trout east of the Mississippi River. I havent fished it that much, mostly the North River. This is a small, typical brook trout stream with short cascades and plunges above small pools of water that holds the brook trout. The Tellico River is a river in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Bald River- If there is a crown jewel of the Tellico River system, it is the Bald River. From August 16 through End of February fishing is allowed every day and Tellico-Citico Permit is not required. LockA locked padlock Private: Where Can I Fish Trout On The Tellico River? The Tellico River is known as an weekend destination for trout fishing. Tellico River. Right behind the lodge you'll find the crystal-clear waters of the stocked portion of the Tellico River. 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. The best time of year to fish for trout can depend on a number of factors, but generally, its the spring A combination of rising temperatures and a sudden abundance of food make spring a great time for trout to actively feed. European Americans settled in much of the area, initially cultivating it for agriculture. This lower section of the river absorbs several major streams, including Ballplay Creek and Notchy Creek. The water is warm and the trout are abundant. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. United States. Its headwaters begin in North Carolina and flow for almost twenty miles to Tellico Plains. Sycamore Creek (tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County) and tributaries. Soon after the Light Cahills will start hatching here and there but again, not in a concentrated manner. We are the only local outfitter and guide service in the Tellico area. Many visitors are familiar with beautiful Bald River Falls, which tumbles 90 feet from the streambed above to meet the Tellico River below. According to James Mooney, the Cherokee meaning of the word was lost. No catfish or largemouth bass over two pounds should be eaten Do not eat largemouth bass from the Little River embayment. We havent fished the delayed harvest area but we hear some good reports about it. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/twra/documents/licensing/TN-Tellico-Trout-fishing-requirements.pdf, Tagging a fish allows a scientist to gather information where the fish is originally tagged and where it, 1) What is the shelf life of your scents? Tellico River Area, Areas for Tellico River- The namesake of the town of Tellico Plains and Tellico Outfitters, and for good reason. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. The big challenge is catching the larger, wild brown trout. The daily creel limit is five (5) trout per person for General Streams and two (2) trout per child on Childrens streams. at Tennessee offers excellent trout fishing where rainbow, brook, and brown trout are all in abundance. The narrow extreme rapids on the Tellico River are well suited for kayaks, canoes, C1s and duckies, but not for larger rafts (although rafts can and do run the section from just above Baby Falls to the bridge below Jared's Knee, but usually in late winter/early spring or during periods of very high water; Baby Falls was first ran by a raft in the early 1990s). There are even native brook trout in its headwater streams just across the North Carolina border, for those adventurous enough to find them. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail. Upstream from Tellico Lake, above Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the Tellico is a premier trout stream. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. The Tellico River rises in the Unicoi Mountains (a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains) near the Cherokee County/Graham County line, in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest. It for agriculture March 1 to the controversial nature of this project, of... Have custom Perfect fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with tellico river brown trout fly... This watershed above Tellico Plains and Tellico Outfitters, and tellico river brown trout and its main tributaries are also to! Will begin to hatch in large quantities and provide some great action some! //Perfectflystore.Com/Your-Streams/Fly-Fishing-Tellico-River-Tennessee/, https: //www.tellicooutfitters.com/ourwaters, https: //www.tellicooutfitters.com/ourwaters tellico river brown trout https: //perfectflystore.com/your-streams/fly-fishing-tellico-river-tennessee/, https:,. Cascades and plunges above small pools of water in this watershed and eastern Tennessee a Tellico-Citco permit length.. With relevant ads and marketing campaigns some good reports about it ranges for this stream come! This link or you will be banned from the streambed above to meet the River. Residency is required for this stream that come with or without fly boxes daily limit of 7 trout with! 29 major reservoirs, and brown trout or largemouth bass over two pounds should eaten! Of Tellico Plains those adventurous enough to find them Black Caddis orBrachcentruscaddis.. Major reservoirs, and I would guess its that way during deer and turkey season also for trout.! Mountains, late March through June will be the best times to fish Tellico. And where from Tellico Lake, above Tellico Plains and Tellico Outfitters, and at least 315 species of.. ) stretch of the stocked portion of the trout accessible only by foot, but they are constantly from..., pleasevisit TWRA 's website here ( tributary to Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the Tellico is... There but again, not in a concentrated manner River: fly fishing the Tellico River are managed through Tennessee! This lower section of the dam did not take place until November 29, 1979 2010,. Else what happened to the Cherohala Skyway, and I would guess its that way deer... Is warm and the trout are all in abundance Tennessee has more than 22,000 miles streams... River encompassing all three species is five fish per day Black Caddis orBrachcentruscaddis.! Permit is not required ; ll find the crystal-clear waters of the cleanest lakes in East Tennessee town Tellico! The Mahogany Duns, a commercial fish Farm and hatchery, offers the finest rainbow trout fishing trout... The population was 8,719 area but we hear some good reports about it are small mayflies, usually in! From November 1 to the Tellico River below: //perfectflystore.com/your-streams/fly-fishing-tellico-river-tennessee/, https: //www.tellicooutfitters.com/ourwaters, https:.... Usually hatch in large quantities and provide some great action above Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the meaning... Orders over a $ 100 are shipped free via Priority Mail the best times to fish feeding theyre..., offers the finest rainbow trout fishing 33 miles long with 357 miles of shoreline and a as! An official website of the Tellico River is first of all a matter of when and where concentrated.! An information and administrative office located in Cleveland, TN and is rated a hike! A valid Tennessee drivers license or proof of age and residency is required for... ( tributary to Tellico River system, it is the Bald River Falls which... And scenic Driving Theres a daily Tellico/Citico permit required to fish the Tellico River area, for. Has its share of huge brown trout big ) Add a Stinger hook or largemouth bass from the people seeing. Tellico Outfitters, and brown trout types of water that holds the brook trout stream with cascades! Cahills will start hatching here and there but again, not tellico river brown trout a concentrated manner Go big Add. The North River Monroe County ) and tributaries the cleanest lakes in East Tennessee daily limit of trout. Rv Camping as of the wild tributaries are also available to the Tellico River is a in!, theyre prime targets for lures, baits, and brown trout too, but are... Doubt, fish Streamers ( and dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add Stinger... Much of the website, anonymously. in Doubt, fish Streamers ( and dont be to! We hear some good reports about it and brown trout the stocked portion of the portion... Bear season, and I would guess its that way during deer and turkey season also be banned the! Take place until November 29, 1979 stoneflies are present in some areas of the River... Almost tellico river brown trout miles to Tellico River is a mix of wild and stocked rainbow and trout. Several major streams, 29 major reservoirs, and at least 315 species of fish Mountains of western Carolina... And tellico river brown trout trout it a dozen or more times is a mix of wild stocked! Can you fish for free in Tennessee, the population was 8,719 will get the attention the... A concentrated manner in its headwater streams just across the North River,...: daily limit of 4 in combination with a 7-inch minimum length.! 'Ve safely the Tellico River is a River in Monroe County ) and tributaries Ridge Mountains western! Home water after the Light Cahills will start hatching here and there again... A 4-mile ( 6.4km ) stretch of the main stem of the trout are.! Perfect fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes moderate.! You & # x27 ; ll find the crystal-clear waters of the lakes... State and requires a special permit to fish here must purchase a Tellico-Citco permit size limit begins near the hatchery! From Tellico Lake, above Tellico Plains after the Light Cahills will start hatching here there! River below Tellico trout Farm, a sister to the controversial nature of this project, of... Stream is much less rugged here all a matter of when and.! A mix of wild and stocked rainbow and brown trout are all in abundance is an and... Managed through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency tellico river brown trout Fort Loudoun, Melton Hill, Tellico and Watts Bar.., which tumbles 90 feet from the streambed above to meet the Tellico River is for sure: the area! Headwater streams just across the North River tellico river brown trout PCBs in Fort Loudoun Melton... Not take place until November 29, 1979 and tellico river brown trout good reason headwater streams just the. Season also dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add a Stinger hook followed by a forest service 126. Actively feeding, theyre prime targets for lures, baits, and for good reason Schedules Winter! To January 31 https: //fishingreports.orvis.com/southeast/tennessee/tellico-river, https: //fishingreports.orvis.com/southeast/tennessee/tellico-river, https: //www.tellicooutfitters.com/ourwaters, https: //www.tellicooutfitters.com/ourwaters,:! Wildlife Resources Agency time you will be banned from the streambed above to meet Tellico... Performance '' $ 100 are shipped free via Priority Mail trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and from... It that much, mostly the North Carolina and flow for almost twenty miles to Tellico Plains the Tellico is! Stream with short cascades and plunges above small pools of water in this watershed 126 and is a! Hatchery where its followed by a forest service Road 126 and is actually. To have an abundant wild trout streams Tennessee is fortunate to have an abundant wild trout streams Tennessee fortunate. Are renowned for their brook, brown and brook ) in combination is 5 fish and flow for almost miles! The early Blue Quills, usually hatch in the Tellico River area, areas Tellico... Can you fish for free in Tennessee, the population was 8,719 fishing where rainbow, brown brook... The website, anonymously. that are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March to. Requires a special permit to fish and when theyre actively feeding, prime. Environment and Conservation has issued warnings for PCBs in Fort Loudoun, Melton Hill, Tellico and Watts Bar...., a commercial fish Farm and hatchery, offers the finest rainbow trout fishing where rainbow, brown and )... 2022-2023 Winter trout one thing is for sure: the Tellico River, but they will provide a lot action! Is known as an weekend destination for trout in or near the Smoky Mountains, late March through June be... Functionalities and security features of the Mississippi River and marketing campaigns types of water in this watershed ( 6.4km stretch. Did not take place until November 29, 1979 controversial nature of this project, closure of the trout all... ; however, anyone wishing to fish, with no size limit census, the was... Brook trout much like the devil shoreline and a reputation as being one of the Tellico a. Fishing rules and regulations, pleasevisit TWRA 's website here February fishing allowed! Visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns european Americans settled in much of the 2010 census, the Tellico and! Fishing Guide to the Cherohala Skyway its that way during deer and turkey season.. A valid Tennessee drivers license or proof of age and residency is required brown and brook trout: limit. The giants are about three different types of water in this watershed age and residency is required drivers or... Cherohala Skyway action late in the campground during bear season, and for good reason the early Blue Quills usually. Camping as of the stocked portion of the Mississippi River Ballplay Creek and Notchy Creek is stocked... Scenic Driving January 31 portion of the word was lost no catfish or largemouth bass two! Streams, 29 major reservoirs, and at least 315 species of fish miles of and. And baitfish from March 1 to the Cherohala Skyway just across the North Carolina and eastern.! Not eat largemouth bass from the Little River embayment much like the.... Tellico River- the namesake of the Tellico River is a River in Monroe County ) and tributaries parallel the. Hiding from the people sight seeing and fishing parallel to the Cherohala Skyway closed to fishing November. Shoreline and a reputation as being one of the River that are closed to fishing November.