The crisp, swift-flowing waters
of north Georgia’s rivers and creeks offer an abundance of trout
angling opportunities this winter.
Home to some of the southeast’s finest trout streams and three
species of trout - rainbow, brown and brook trout - Georgia claims
nearly 4,000 miles of streams, and more than half lie in the northern
part of the state in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
“Georgia offers trout anglers with various opportunities throughout
the year - including delayed harvest streams, seasonal streams and
year-round streams,” says John Biagi, chief of Fisheries Management
for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources
Division.
Delayed Harvest Streams
The Wildlife Resources Division recommends casting a line at any of the
following five delayed harvest trout streams now through May 14: the
Toccoa River located on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of Lake Blue
Ridge in Fannin County (from 0.4 miles above Shallowford Bridge to 450
feet above the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access); Amicalola Creek on the Dawson
Forest Wildlife Management Area (from Steele Bridge Road downstream to
Georgia Highway 53); Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park; the Chattahoochee
River in Atlanta (Sope Creek, downstream of Johnson Ferry Road,
downstream to the Hwy 41 bridge); and a portion of the Chattooga River
(from Ga. Highway 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek) on U.S. Forest
Service land bordering South Carolina.
Seasonal Trout Streams Open March 27
On the other hand, anglers anxious to tackle seasonal streams can
prepare for opening day, March 27. Some popular seasonal streams include
Cooper Creek in Union County, Wildcat Creek in Rabun County, Dicks Creek
in Lumpkin County and Johns Creek in Floyd County.
Year Round Trout Opportunities
For year-round opportunities, some recommended locations include the
Blue Ridge Tailwater (a stretch of the Toccoa river located downstream
of Blue Ridge Lake in Fannin County); Noontootla Creek Watershed; Dukes
Creek (located on Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area-call for
reservations 706-878-3087); and Chattahoochee River (downstream of
Buford Dam near metro Atlanta).
Some additional notable year-round trout streams include Holly Creek in
Murray County, Tallulah River in Rabun County and Rock Creek in Fannin
County.
Download a free Georgia trout stream map and other trout fishing tips
from the Wildlife Resources Division Web site at www.gofishgeorgia.com
or call (770) 535-5498 for trout fishing information.