Cheoah River

Boat Ramps: 3
Access Points: 3
Species: 12

The Cheoah River is a stunning waterway located in Graham County, North Carolina. Originally formed by the construction of Cheoah Dam in 1919, this historic river gained additional fame when it was featured in the 1993 movie The Fugitive where Harrison Ford made his dramatic jump from what is now often called the Fugitive Dam. The river is fed by the tailrace of Fontana Dam, which provides a consistent flow of clear, cold water maintaining stable temperatures year-round, creating ideal conditions for various fish species. The Cheoah offers anglers a relatively uncrowded fishing experience as it winds through pristine, undeveloped shorelines bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and National Forest lands.

North Carolina licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Cheoah River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Steelhead

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Cheoah River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Cheoah River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Recreational permits for Cheoah River

What you need to float or boat Cheoah River, and when to apply.

Cheoah River paddler band

Boater pass · All boaters · Required year-round

Every paddler on a Cheoah release day needs a $5 Forest Service band, one per day, sold near the put-in.

Nantahala National Forest on americanwhitewater.org

Checked Nov 4, 2026 with American Whitewater

North Carolina licenses and regulations

North Carolina Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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North Carolina Fishing License

Youth under age 16 are exempt from the requirements of any fishing license and trout privilege license.

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North Carolina Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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North Carolina Stream Access Laws

If a boater can float the water, it is navigable and can be used for recreation. Navigable waters are in the public trust, including streambeds. If the navigable water is tidal, public use extends to all waters that cover an average high tide.

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Take Cheoah River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Cheoah River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Cheoah River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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