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Fishing Chattooga River: what the data says
The Wild & Scenic Chattooga on the Georgia-South Carolina line. rainbow, brown and native brook trout in a remote whitewater corridor. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Chattooga River
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 16.7): a current seam around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Brown Trout fishing at Chattooga River
In spring, brown trout run shallow here, mostly 1 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 8 ft. Current seam (mile 16.7) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for summer brown trout. Best bite is after dark and early morning. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 8 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Brook Trout fishing at Chattooga River
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 16.7): a current seam around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 8 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Notable structure
- South Carolina Noname 37026 D-1631 Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Holly Berry Mountain Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 26.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 36.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 39.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Chattooga River?
Chattooga River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Chattooga River?
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout on Chattooga River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Chattooga River?
Current seam (mile 16.7) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Chattooga River?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Lake Rabun · Lake Burton · Lake Hartwell · Lake Chatuge · Lake Nottely · Richard B. Russell Lake
See how Chattooga River stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Georgia
Browse all Georgia fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.