Serious trout fishing for serious fishermen.

Georgia's Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia! According to Georgia Outdoor News, the Toccoa River is one of the region's rivers that hold the characteristics required for anglers to find big trout. Serious trout fishermen know that there is serious trout fishing in Fannin County not only in the Toccoa, but in Rock Creek, Cooper Creek and Noontootla Creek. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources publishes a comprehensive trout fishing guide to Georgia, available at the Welcome Center. Below are some suggestions for simple access to great trout fishing in Fannin County, but the best bet is to use a local Fishing Guide to plan your fishing trip.

Access points to fishing in the area can be found on these handy printable maps and guides:
The WIld Toccoa River & Lake Blue RidgeUpper Toccoa River, Lake Blue Ridge to the Ocoee River

TOCCOA RIVER: (State Hwys. 2, 5 and 60E) The Toccoa is stocked above Blue Ridge Dam about every other week during trout season. Most of it is on private land, but much of the section along Rt. 60, near the town of Margaret, flows through National Forest. The river below the dam is very broad in most areas, making it a good choice for fly fishermen. Trout are also stocked regularly in this section. A popular way to fish this area is to float-fish from the dam downstream approximately 15 miles to McCaysville. Use caution. Water levels can rise suddenly. Check dates and times for water releases from Blue Ridge dam at 800-238-2264

SHALLOWFORD BRIDGE/Above the Dam - Aska Road, Blue Ridge Old steel one-lane bridge over the Toccoa River. Fish under the bridge or along the dirt road to the right following the river on the Benton MacKaye Trail. This is a Delayed Harvest Area, stocked in early November for catch and release only through mid-May.

TAMMEN PARK/Below the Dam, Appalachian Highway - Blue Ridge A very popular place to fly fish for trout in the tailwaters of the Toccoa River below the Lake Blue Ridge Dam. Call in advance for water-release information 1-800-238-2264. This park also has ball fields, playground equipment and picnic areas.

HORSESHOE BEND PARK/Below the Dam - River Road off of Highway 60, McCaysville. Beautiful park with good trout fishing on the Toccoa River. From Blue Ridge take Highway 5 into McCaysville. Turn right onto Highway 60 then drive a short distance and turn right on River Road. The park has a playground, picnic pavilions and restrooms.

ROCK CREEK: Forest Service Rd. 69 off State Rte. 60, Between Morganton and Dahlonega. The Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery is located on Rock Creek. This creek and other nearby streams are stocked with trout from the federal hatchery, which is open year round. Rock Creek also supports good populations of wild trout, including native brook trout in some of the high elevation tributaries. This area is highly used.

COOPER'S CREEK: Hwy. 60 South between Morganton and Dahlonega.
This area offers camping, hiking and trout fishing. Fishing in Cooper Creek and Mulky Creek for stocked and wild trout is popular. From Blue Ridge, take Highway 76 east to Morganton; turn right on Hwy. 60 south toward Dahlonega for 16 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 4 for 6 miles.

NOONTOOTLA CREEK: Forest Service Rd. 58, southeast of Blue Ridge in the Blue Ridge Wildlife Mgmt. Area. The creek and its tributaries are managed to imitate a natural stream with an unharvested trout population, to provide a unique experience that emphasizes catching wild trout for fun, rather than harvest. If you're lucky and catch a very rare trophy trout that is 16 inches or longer, you may keep it. All smaller trout must be released immediately. Artificial lures only.

JACKS & CONASAUGA RIVERS: Forest Service Roads 22, 64 and 73 off State Rte. 2 west of Blue Ridge. Inside the Cohutta Wilderness there are 45 miles of fishing opportunities on the Jacks (March - Ocober) and Conasauga Rivers (open year round). The Jacks is not stocked, but it contains reproducing trout populations. If you want real wilderness, this is the place. The Forest Service has a detailed map of the wilderness. It is wise to have this map if you plan a fishing or hiking trip to this wild area.

For more information on lake levels and releases, please see www.tva.gov
Toccoa River & Lake Blue Ridge Self-Guided ExperienceUpper Toccoa River & Ocoee River Self-Guided Experience