Grab your fishing poles, bait, and tackle for trout fishing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Crystal waters and beautiful views of nature make trout fishing in North Georgia a relaxing experience. Featuring 100 miles of trout stream, rivers, and creeks — teeming with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout — Fannin County is a great place to plan your next fishing excursion. Plus, Blue Ridge is known as the trout capital of Georgia and even hosts the annual Troutfest! Once you have a Georgia fishing license, head to one of our favorite fishing spots for a wild catch on your Blue Ridge vacation.
Trout Fishing Season in North Georgia
Trout season in North Georgia is March through October – almost year-round. Yes, a fishing license and trout license are required for those 16+ years of age and can be purchased at bait shops, gas stations, local outfitters, or with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Best Trout Fishing Spots in Blue Ridge
Finding the best fishing spots in and around Blue Ridge, GA, is easy when you have help. No worries! We’ve listed our top spots to fish for trout in the North Georgia mountains below so you can focus on the experience as soon as you arrive. You can also reach out to local fishing guides for more information. Pro tip: There are some great spots for angling below the Lake Blue Ridge Dam – with easy access points.
Cooper Creek
Scenic boulders and towering trees rest on the banks of the tranquil Cooper Creek. It’s the perfect setting to cast a line in the early morning and wait for a big catch of rainbow or brown trout. Close to Suches, Georgia, this is a pretty popular spot to fish for wild and stocked trout.
Noontootla Creek
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Noontootla Creek is a top location to fish for smaller trout and hone your fishing skills. You can find this fun fishing spot just southeast of Blue Ridge off Forest Service Road 58.
Rock Creek
Nestled between Morganton and Dahlonega, Rock Creek is stocked with trout from the federal hatchery and is an ideal feeding ground for wild trout. You’ll find this fishing creek a little ways off Forest Service Road 69 on State Route 60. Beginners may love this spot!
Toccoa River
During trout season in North Georgia, the Toccoa River is stocked about every other week with lively trout. To avoid private property, fishers should stay within the Chattahoochee National Forest, near the Shallowford Bridge on Aska Road, in Tammen Park, or in Horseshoe Bend Park. You can also fish along the Toccoa River at your private cabin rental with Georgia Cabins for YOU — more info below!
Bait, Tackle & Limits
In North Georgia, there are a few trout fishing rules and regs you’ll need to follow. They’re pretty straightforward, so you shouldn’t run into any trouble.
- Live bait is a NO, but you can use a wide variety of artificial trout fishing lures. Recommendations: Trout Worm, Blue Fox Vibrax, Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogue, The Rebel Wee Craw, Luhr-Jensen Hus, and Mister Twister Micro Crawfish
- Anglers may only use 1 handheld pole and line to fish for trout in North Georgia.
- Always get permission from landowners to fish when crossing onto private property.
- Brown and rainbow trout must be at least 22 inches. Brook trout must be at least 18 inches.
- Fishermen may only possess 1 trout daily and no more than 3 trout annually in North Georgia.
Fish at YOUR Cabin Rental
Whether you’ve planned a lengthy fly fishing trip in North Georgia or are visiting for the Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventure Festival (aka Troutfest), you’ll enjoy returning to a cozy and inviting cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the end of the day. Georgia Cabins for YOU even features cabins right on the Toccoa River so you can fish without hunting for the best spot. Simply walk outside, stroll down to the river, and reel in a whopper!
Of course, our mountain and river cabins feature entertaining amenities and convenient locations to Blue Ridge or Ellijay. Soothe tired muscles in a steamy hot tub after fishing for hours or sit in front of a crackling fireplace with a jar of moonshine to unwind.
For more fun, mix drinks at the wet bar, play arcade games, shoot pool, and screen movies in the theater. You’ll have a fully equipped kitchen and a grill to prepare your best catch for dinner! And at the end of the night, you can spread out on a king-size bed.
YOUR trout fishing Blue Ridge, GA, adventure begins now — when you plan your North Georgia vacation online or at 1.800.580.5524!
