North Fork Holston River
North Fork Holston River
- Boat Ramps
- 2
- Access Points
- 6
- Species
- 22
The North Fork Holston River flows more than 100 miles from its origin in the southeast corner of Bland County, Virginia, before crossing into Tennessee near the community of Yuma. This waterway is renowned for its exceptional smallmouth bass fishery and diverse fish populations. The river begins in West Virginia, passes through Virginia, and eventually joins with the South Fork to form the Holston River. With its rich history dating back to prehistoric times, the North Fork Holston offers anglers a combination of scenic beauty and rewarding fishing opportunities. While primarily known for trophy smallmouth bass fishing, the river supports numerous other game fish species, making it a versatile destination for anglers of all preferences.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at North Fork Holston 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
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Redbreast Sunfish
Lepomis auritus
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on North Fork Holston 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 North Fork Holston 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.
Virginia licenses and regulations
Virginia 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.
Virginia Stream Access Laws
Virginia uses a strict navigable in fact test, where waterways must be capable of commercial trade and travel in their natural condition and public access is limited where navigable waters border private land. The state law isn’t fully developed and is arguably stricter than the federal title test. While state law is confusing and hasn’t been friendly to public access in the past, a 2015 court case opened up 14 rivers to public use that were previously off limits.
Virginia Fishing License
A Virginia fishing license is required for residents and non-residents, age 16 and over.
Virginia 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.
Take North Fork Holston River with you
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Use the map without signal
Download the map around North Fork Holston River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish North Fork Holston River and check the forecast before you go.
N F HOLSTON RIVER NEAR GATE CITY, VA
All Flow Stations
Fishing near North Fork Holston River
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