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Tennessee · Fishing
Butler, Tennessee sits at the edge of Watauga Lake, a deep TVA reservoir tucked into the Cherokee National Forest that gives anglers a legitimate reason to make the drive out to Carter County.
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Butler, Tennessee sits at the edge of Watauga Lake, a deep TVA reservoir tucked into the Cherokee National Forest that gives anglers a legitimate reason to make the drive out to Carter County. The fishing here splits pretty cleanly between lake fishing and river fishing, and both are worth your time depending on what you're after. Watauga Lake runs cold and deep, which keeps it productive for walleye, smallmouth bass, and trout well into summer when shallower lakes in the region have slowed down. Two boat ramps serve the lake near Butler: Sink Mountain Boat Ramp and Little Milligan Boat Launch, both giving you access to open water and the coves along the lake's upper arm. If you'd rather fish moving water, the Watauga Lake Area also includes river fishing options where the Watauga River feeds into and drains from the reservoir. The terrain here is mountain-lake fishing, not flatwater, so expect depth changes, submerged structure from the original valley, and water temperatures that shift noticeably with the seasons. A Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone 13 and older, and TVA manages the lake itself, so it's worth checking current regulations before you go.
Watauga Lake holds walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and trout. The lake's depth and cold water temperatures make it one of the more consistent trout fisheries in the region, particularly in the cooler months and in deeper sections of the lake.
There are two options near Butler: Sink Mountain Boat Ramp and Little Milligan Boat Launch. Both put you on the lake, but check road conditions and ramp accessibility before you go, especially after heavy rain, since the mountain roads leading to them can be rough.
Dennis Cove Campground
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Fort Hamby Park
~1h 12m drive
A worthwhile stop near NC.
Watauga River Tailwater
~11 min drive
Hard
Rat Branch Boat Launch
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Watauga River - Valle Crucis Access
~25 min drive
Easy
Linville River - Linville Falls Access
~45 min drive
Expert
Wilson Creek - Mortimer Recreation Area
~47 min drive
Moderate
Backbone Rock Campground
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TN.
Warrior Creek
~1h 12m drive
A worthwhile stop near NC.
Bandits Roost
~1h 15m drive
A worthwhile stop near NC.
South Holston River Tailwater
~27 min drive
Hard
A boat gives you significantly more access on Watauga Lake, which is a large reservoir with limited shoreline access due to the surrounding national forest terrain. The river fishing areas near the Watauga Lake inlet and outlet are more accessible on foot if you don't have a boat.
Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive windows, particularly for bass and walleye. Trout in the deeper sections of Watauga Lake can be caught throughout the day, especially when surface temperatures rise and fish push deeper in summer.
Yes. Anyone 13 or older needs a valid Tennessee fishing license to fish Watauga Lake or the surrounding river areas. Licenses are available online through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or at local sporting goods retailers.
