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Georgia · Fishing
Blue Ridge, Georgia sits at the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest and gives anglers two very different fishing experiences within a short drive of each other.
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Blue Ridge, Georgia sits at the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest and gives anglers two very different fishing experiences within a short drive of each other. The Toccoa River below Blue Ridge Dam runs cold year-round, which keeps rainbow trout and brown trout in the system even through summer when most Georgia rivers warm out. That tailwater section is a fly fishing destination that draws waders from Atlanta and beyond, and it fishes at a moderate difficulty level — you'll want some experience reading current and presenting a drift, but it's not technical enough to scare off a motivated beginner. Up the road, Lake Blue Ridge sits at 1,687 feet and offers a completely different setup: a reservoir fishery where largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and crappie are all in play, and where spinning gear and baitcasting rigs are the norm. The Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is also located in the area and plays a role in keeping the local trout fishery stocked. Whether you're rigging up a 5-weight for the Toccoa or launching a jon boat on the lake, Blue Ridge has enough variety to fill a long weekend without repeating yourself.
The Toccoa tailwater below Blue Ridge Dam holds rainbow trout and brown trout. The dam releases cold water that keeps the river fishable for trout throughout the year, which is unusual for north Georgia.
The Toccoa below the dam is listed as a fly fishing section, so check current Georgia DNR regulations before fishing it with spinning gear, as some tailwater sections carry gear restrictions. If you're a spin angler, Lake Blue Ridge is the easier call — it's open to conventional tackle and holds bass, walleye, and crappie.
Morganton Point
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near GA.
Thunder Rock Campground
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Doll Mountain Day Use Area Shelter
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near GA.
Parksville Lake Rv Campground
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Toccoa River - Below Blue Ridge Dam
~8 min drive
Moderate
Lake Blue Ridge
~10 min drive
Easy
Cohutta Wilderness - Jacks River
~37 min drive
Hard
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
~37 min drive
A worthwhile stop near GA.
Blue Ridge Ranger District
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near GA.
Bolding Mill
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near GA.
Quinn Springs Pavilion
~56 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Ocoee River Whitewater Section
~33 min drive
Moderate
Lake Blue Ridge holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and crappie. It's rated easy difficulty, so it's a solid option if you're bringing kids or newer anglers along. The reservoir sits at 1,687 feet elevation, and boat ramp access is available.
The hatchery is a federal facility located in the Blue Ridge area and contributes to trout stocking in the region's streams and rivers. For current stocking schedules and which waters are being stocked, check the Georgia DNR Fishing Reports or contact the hatchery directly — stocking timing shifts by season.
Spring and fall are generally the most productive seasons across both the Toccoa River and Lake Blue Ridge. On the Toccoa tailwater, the cold dam releases make summer fishing viable for trout when it would otherwise be too warm. On the lake, bass fishing picks up in spring as water temperatures rise and fish move shallow to spawn.
