Appalachians
Chatooga River (Wild & Scenic Headwaters)
Live Conditions
Chatooga River (Wild & Scenic Headwaters) — Chattooga River at Burrells Ford, near Pine Mtn, GA
7-Day Flow
→ Stable
24-Hr Pressure
27.9 inHg · → High/stable
Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory
Water temperature is at or above 65°F. At these temperatures trout are physiologically stressed and have a higher post-release mortality rate. Consider waiting for cooler conditions — early morning or evening — or choosing a tailwater with regulated temperatures.
Local Weather
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
☁️Overcast
84° / 67°
Tomorrow
☁️Overcast
89° / 70°
Wed
☁️Overcast
92° / 73°
Thu
☁️Overcast
94° / 72°
Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
2
Time of Day
Using: 44.2 CFS · 68.5°F · BWOs returning
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Chatooga River (Wild & Scenic Headwaters) conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
Chatooga River (Wild & Scenic Headwaters) · September · Early Fall
⚪ No tracked hatches in active range at 68.5°F — browse the calendar below for seasonal activity
Select month
BWOs returning (size 18-20). Tricos tapering. Terrestrials hanging on. Cool nights bring active wild fish back to the surface.
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
About Chatooga River (Wild & Scenic Headwaters)
One of the Southeast's crown jewel trout fisheries — federally designated Wild & Scenic, no motorized vehicles on the river, with wild rainbows and browns in some of the most scenic water in Georgia. The Burrells Ford area provides the best public access to headwaters fishing. A Delayed Harvest section (catch-and-release, single-hook artificial only Nov 1 – May 14) runs from the GA Hwy 28 bridge upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek. Outside the DH reach, standard 8-fish regulations apply year-round.
Regulations
Georgia fishing license + trout stamp required (resident $15 + $25 = $40/year). Year-round trout season. Delayed Harvest section from GA Hwy 28 bridge upstream to mouth of Reed Creek: catch-and-release, single-hook artificial lures only, Nov 1 – May 14. Outside the DH reach: standard 8-fish daily creel, no minimum size. 2026–27 regulation cycle. Verify at georgiawildlife.com.
Learn More
Guides to help you fish Chatooga River (Wild & Scenic Headwaters) with more confidence.
Georgia Trout Fishing Regulations Guide
Georgia fishing license (~$15/year resident) plus required trout license (~$25/year resident), Georgia DNR's now year-round trout season (no closed…
Trout Species of Georgia
North Georgia's Blue Ridge mountains hold all three classic Eastern trout species: wild Rainbow Trout in the headwaters of the Chattahoochee,…
How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)
That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…