Skip to main content

Appalachians

Watauga River

Fishable52.5 CFSIntermediate

Live Conditions

Watauga RiverNear Sugar Grove

Fishable
52.5CFS
Discharge
1.51ft
Gauge Height
Water Temp
Updated 1 hr agoView on USGS ↗

24-Hr Pressure

25.46 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

53°FClear sky
Wind 14 mph25.46 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

64° / 36°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

63° / 47°

Wed

🌧️

Rain

66° / 51°

0.36"

Thu

🌧️

Rain

55° / 39°

0.09"

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?

One call. Specific to today's exact conditions on the Watauga River.

9

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Watauga River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Watauga River · May · Late Spring

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

Sulphurs (size 16-18) at peak. Yellow Sally (size 14-16). March Brown (size 12). Light Cahill late month. Best dry-fly month — wild trout active.

Yellow Sally

River Map

Loading map…
USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Watauga River

The upper Watauga near Banner Elk and Boone offers classic Southern Appalachian trout fishing with wild and stocked rainbow and brown trout. Higher elevation keeps water temperatures cool all season — excellent summer fishing when lowland streams blow out.

Quill GordonHendricksonSulphurYellow SallyLight CahillBlue-Winged OliveMidge

Regulations

Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout water sections. Check NCWRC for current regulations and stocking schedule.