Things to do / Travel Guide
For trout and bass lovers the region unlocks its secrets in the countless streams and the few mighty rivers. From West Virginia's New River to Virginia's Shenandoah River, and North Carolina's Fontana Lake, fishing opportunities abound. Fly fishing is also a draw throughout the region.
All the states involved in the region - West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee - require fishing permits to fish their waters.
On almost any stretch of river or lake in the region, there are outfitters ready to take you out for an afternoon or a whole day of fishing. Depending on where you are headed and the size of your party, you can catch dozens and even hundreds of fish per visit.
Fishing in Eastern West Virginia
The three major rivers in the West Virginia part of the region are the Potomac River, the Greenbrier River, and the New River. All three have tributaries on which you can also fish. It's bass fishing primarily on the Potomac and the Greenbrier, and trout fishing primarily on the New River.
Of these rivers, the Potomac can get quite white at times, and much of it is really in the middle of nowhere, so it's a good idea to find yourself a guide. The Potomac is in fact one of the most fish-filled of the Eastern Seaboard. On the Greenbrier, there are a number of good runs, mostly between Caldwell and Pence Springs. On the New River, you can actually fish for muskellunge, walleye, carp, crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish - aside from the bountiful trout and bass.
In the south of the state, Bluestone River and Bluestone Lake provide ample opportunities for fishing. Fly fishing is popular on the river, and several kinds of bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish are all ripe for the catch on the lake.
Fishing in Western Virginia
The Shenandoah River divides near Front Royal, into the North Fork and the South Fork. Of the two, the South Fork is better for fishing. The best stretch along the South Fork for smallmouth bass fishing is from Bixler's Bridge to Foster's Boat Landing, though all up the river (it flows north) you can catch largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, carp, and trout.
The New River and the Greenbrier River both make entries into western Virginia, and the fishing is said to be good on these too. All these rivers branch off into numerous tributaries, so no matter where you are, you're only a few miles from some water to sink your hook into.
Several lakes within the State Park system are well-stocked, such as those in Douthat, Hungry Mother State Park, and Clayton Lake State Park. At Douthat and Hungry Mother, it's mostly trout fishing; while at Clayton Lake you can catch bass, striped bass, muskie, catfish, and walleye. There's boat rental at all three of these sites.
Fishing in North Carolina's and Tennessee's Mountains
The rivers and streams in these mountains and their foothills are filled with trout, of the brook, rainbow, and brown varieties. You can also find catfish, sunfish, and bass. The major rivers in this area are:
- the New River, whose source is in the Blue Ridge Mountains,
- the French Broad River, which starts on the eastern side of the Smokies and runs into the Holston River near Knoxville (there are dozens of fishable tributaries along this river), and
- the Yadkin River, which flows from the Blue Ridge towards the Atlantic.
Fontana Lake, directly south of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, is a favorite for catching largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, trout, panfish, muskie, and walleye. With 240 miles of shoreline, there are numerous drop-off points; the scenery, panoramic views of the Smokies, is phenomenal.
Tellico Lake, west of the Smokies in Tennessee, was only created some 30 years ago. Since then it's become a prime location for smallmouth bass and brown fish. This is another lake with a huge shoreline, almost like a very wide river. Drop off is best at the Fort Loudon/Tellico Canal Ramp.
Finally, Douglas Lake, also in Tennessee, boasts over 500 miles of shoreline. You can catch bass, sauger, walleye, and crappie in these waters, which are actually a broadening of the French Broad River. The best dropoff points are where the fish attractors are: Near Indian Creek Dock, Henderson Island, Shady Grove Dock, among others.
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