Watauga River

Boat Ramps: 14
Access Points: 27
Species: 16

The Watauga River originates on the western slope of North Carolina's Grandfather Mountain, starting as a small stream before developing into a significant waterway along its 78.5-mile journey through North Carolina and Tennessee. This remarkable river is renowned for its exceptional fly fishing opportunities in both states, offering diverse fishing environments from free-flowing mountain streams to tailwaters. As the Watauga crosses into Tennessee, it enters 6,425-acre Watauga Lake before flowing through Watauga Dam and into Wilbur Lake. The tailwater section below Wilbur Dam provides what many consider the finest fishing on the entire river. The Watauga continues for 16 miles before eventually reaching Boone Lake, where it converges with the South Holston River.

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Watauga 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

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Ohrid Trout

Salmo letnica

Redbreast Sunfish

Lepomis auritus

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Watauga 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 Watauga 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.

Tennessee licenses and regulations

Tennessee 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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Tennessee Fishing License

No Fishing License Needed If: You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident). A type 022 supplemental license is required for anglers targeting trout. State-wide creel limit 7 trout.

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Tennessee 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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Tennessee Stream Access Laws

On any river or stream that’s capable of floating a craft, the public has rights to passage, hunting and fishing. The question of streambed use on designated non-navigable rivers, however, is less clear, and probably not legal.

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Take Watauga 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 Watauga River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Watauga River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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