Southern Appalachians
North Carolina's mountain-stream hatch chart (published by the Wildlife Resources Commission), spawning in the Smokies and Shenandoah, and the delayed-harvest seasons. Each row is charted only for the months its source gives; where a source names an insect but gives no months, it is not charted. Conditions vary by water and year: use this to plan, then ask a local shop.
- 27sourced rows
- 9sources
- 4states
Month by month
- Hatch
- Fish run
- Season or closure
| Event, where, source | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidgesHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Blue-winged oliveHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: yes | March: yes | April: no | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Early black stoneflyHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: yes | March: yes | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Blue QuillHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Quill GordonHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Black caddisHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Giant stoneflyHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| HendricksonHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| March brownHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Mottled brown caddisHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Green sedge (caddis)Hatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: yes | June: yes | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Light CahillHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| SulphurHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Dun Variant (mayfly)Hatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Terrestrials (inchworms, ants, beetles, crickets)Hatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Yellow stonefly (Yellow Sally)Hatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: yes | July: yes | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Golden stoneflyHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart)[1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: yes | August: yes | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Fish spawning period (do not move rocks)Fish run · Great Smoky Mountains National Park streams[2] National Park Service | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Brook trout spawnFish run · Virginia (statewide)[3] Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: yes | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Brook trout spawnFish run · Shenandoah National Park streams, Virginia[4] National Park Service | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: no |
| Fishing open year-roundSeason or closure · Great Smoky Mountains National Park open waters[2] National Park Service | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Hatchery Supported waters closed seasonSeason or closure · North Carolina Hatchery Supported trout waters[5] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Delayed Harvest catch-and-release periodSeason or closure · North Carolina Delayed Harvest trout waters[5] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Delayed Harvest catch-and-release periodSeason or closure · Virginia Delayed Harvest waters[6] Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Designated Stocked Trout Waters stocking periodSeason or closure · Virginia Designated Stocked Trout Waters[7] Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Minimize wading (brook trout eggs in gravel)Season or closure · Shenandoah National Park streams, Virginia[8] National Park Service | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Delayed Harvest catch-and-release periodSeason or closure · Georgia Delayed Harvest streams (Chattahoochee, Toccoa, Amicalola, Smith Creek, Chattooga sections)[9] Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division | January: yes | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: yes | December: yes |
- Midges all yearHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Blue-winged olive February to March, May, October to DecemberHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Early black stonefly February to March, October to DecemberHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Blue Quill March to AprilHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Quill Gordon March to AprilHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Black caddis April to MayHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Giant stonefly April to MayHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Hendrickson AprilHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- March brown April to MayHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Mottled brown caddis April to JuneHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Green sedge (caddis) May to JuneHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Light Cahill May to SeptemberHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Sulphur May to JulyHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Dun Variant (mayfly) June to SeptemberHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Terrestrials (inchworms, ants, beetles, crickets) June to SeptemberHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Yellow stonefly (Yellow Sally) June to JulyHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Golden stonefly July to AugustHatch · North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) · [1] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Fish spawning period (do not move rocks) April to AugustFish run · Great Smoky Mountains National Park streams · [2] National Park Service
- Brook trout spawn September to DecemberFish run · Virginia (statewide) · [3] Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Brook trout spawn October to NovemberFish run · Shenandoah National Park streams, Virginia · [4] National Park Service
- Fishing open year-round all yearSeason or closure · Great Smoky Mountains National Park open waters · [2] National Park Service
- Hatchery Supported waters closed season March to AprilSeason or closure · North Carolina Hatchery Supported trout waters · [5] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Delayed Harvest catch-and-release period October to JuneSeason or closure · North Carolina Delayed Harvest trout waters · [5] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Delayed Harvest catch-and-release period October to MaySeason or closure · Virginia Delayed Harvest waters · [6] Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Designated Stocked Trout Waters stocking period October to MaySeason or closure · Virginia Designated Stocked Trout Waters · [7] Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Minimize wading (brook trout eggs in gravel) October to MarchSeason or closure · Shenandoah National Park streams, Virginia · [8] National Park Service
- Delayed Harvest catch-and-release period November to MaySeason or closure · Georgia Delayed Harvest streams (Chattahoochee, Toccoa, Amicalola, Smith Creek, Chattooga sections) · [9] Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
What each source says
The source's own words behind every row, so you can see exactly where the months come from.
- Midges, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (all year):
JANUARY – MARCH: Midges | Afternoon | 18–24 Gray and Olive Midge, Griffith`s Gnat, Renegade; APRIL: Midges | Afternoon; MAY: Midges | Afternoon; JUNE: Midges | Afternoon; JULY: Midges | Afternoon; AUGUST: Midges | Afternoon; SEPTEMBER: Midges | Afternoon; OCTOBER – DECEMBER: Midges | Afternoon
[1] - Blue-winged olive, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (February to March, May, October to December):
JANUARY – MARCH: Blue Winged Olive | February – March, Early Afternoons, Warm Days | 18 Blue Winged Olive, Adams; MAY: Blue Winged Olive | Mid-May, Early Afternoon | 20–22 Blue Winged Olive, Adams; OCTOBER – DECEMBER: Blue Winged Olive | Afternoon | 18–24 Blue Winged Olive, Adams
[1] - Early black stonefly, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (February to March, October to December):
JANUARY – MARCH: Early Black Stone Fly | February – March, All Day | 18 Black Stone Fly Adult, Black Elk Hair Caddis; OCTOBER – DECEMBER: Early Black Stone Fly | All Day | 18 Black Adult Stone Fly, Black Elk Hair Caddis
[1] - Blue Quill, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (March to April):
JANUARY – MARCH: Blue Quill | Late March, Morning to Early Afternoon | 18 Blue Quill, Adams; APRIL: Blue Quill | Early April, Mornings to Early Afternoons | 16–18 Blue Quill, Adams
[1] - Quill Gordon, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (March to April):
JANUARY – MARCH: Quill Gordon | Late March Early Afternoon | 12–14 Quill Gordon, Adams; APRIL: Quill Gordon | Early April, Early Afternoons | 12–14 Quill Gordon, Adams
[1] - Black caddis, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (April to May):
APRIL: Black Caddis | Mid-April, Mid-Mornings | 14–16 Dark Elk Hair Caddis, Dark Thunderhead; MAY: Black Caddis | Early May, All Day | 14–16 Dark Elk Hair Caddis, Dark Thunderhead
[1] - Giant stonefly, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (April to May):
APRIL: Giant Stone Fly | Mid-April, Early Morning | 4–8 Stimulator; MAY: Giant Stone Fly | Early May, Early Morning | 4–8 Stimulator
[1] - Hendrickson, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (April):
APRIL: Hendrickson | All Day | 14 Hendrickson, Red Quill
[1] - March brown, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (April to May):
APRIL: March Brown | Mid-April, All Day, Sporadically | 12 March Brown, Adams; MAY: March Brown | All Day, Sporadically | 12 March Brown, Adams
[1] - Mottled brown caddis, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (April to June):
APRIL: Mottled Brown Caddis | All Day, Sporadically; MAY: Mottled Brown Caddis | All Day, Sporadically; JUNE: Mottled Brown Caddis | All Day, Sporadically | 12–16 Elk Hair Caddis, Thunderhead, Irresistible Adams
[1] - Green sedge (caddis), North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (May to June):
MAY: Green Sedge | All Day, Sporadically; JUNE: Green Sedge | All Day, Sporadically | 14–16 Green Rock Worm, Light Elk Hair Caddis, Green Humpy
[1] - Light Cahill, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (May to September):
MAY: Light Cahill | Afternoon to Evening | 14–18 Light Cahill; JUNE: Light Cahill | Late Afternoon and Evening, Sporadically; JULY: Light Cahill | Late Afternoon and Evening, Sporadically; AUGUST: Light Cahill | Late Afternoon and Evening, Sporadically; SEPTEMBER: Light Cahill | Usually at Dusk
[1] - Sulphur, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (May to July):
MAY: Sulphurs | Early May, Late Afternoon and Evening | 14–18 Sulphurs, Yellow Humpy, Yellow Hammer; JUNE: Sulphurs | Late Afternoon and Evening; JULY: Sulphurs | Late Afternoon and Evening
[1] - Dun Variant (mayfly), North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (June to September):
JUNE: Dun Variant | All Day, Sporadically | 12 Adams; JULY: Dun Variant | All Day, Sporadically; AUGUST: Dun Variant | All Day, Sporadically; SEPTEMBER: Dun Variant | All Day, Sporadically
[1] - Terrestrials (inchworms, ants, beetles, crickets), North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (June to September):
JUNE: Terrestrials/Attractors | All Summer | Inchworms, Black Ants, Beetles, Crickets, Royal Wulff, Royal Coachman; JULY: Terrestrials/Attractors | All Summer; AUGUST: Terrestrials/Attractors | All Summer; SEPTEMBER: Terrestrials/Attractors | All Summer
[1] - Yellow stonefly (Yellow Sally), North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (June to July):
JUNE: Yellow Stone Fly | Late Afternoons | 14–16 Yellow Sallie, Stimulator, Yellow Palmer, Tellico Nymph; JULY: Yellow Stone Fly | Late Afternoons
[1] - Golden stonefly, North Carolina mountain trout streams (statewide chart) (July to August):
JULY: Golden Stone Fly | Early Morning and at Dusk | 6–12 Stimulator; AUGUST: Golden Stone Fly | Early Morning and at Dusk
[1] - Fish spawning period (do not move rocks), Great Smoky Mountains National Park streams (April to August):
Many fish species that live in the park spawn between April and August.
[2] - Brook trout spawn, Virginia (statewide) (September to December):
In Virginia, Brook Trout can spawn from late September through December.
[3] - Brook trout spawn, Shenandoah National Park streams, Virginia (October to November):
Brook trout spawn in the fall, most typically from early October to mid November within park streams.
[4] - Fishing open year-round, Great Smoky Mountains National Park open waters (all year):
Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.
[2] - Hatchery Supported waters closed season, North Carolina Hatchery Supported trout waters (March to April):
Season is closed from March 1 through the first Friday in April.
[5] - Delayed Harvest catch-and-release period, North Carolina Delayed Harvest trout waters (October to June):
October 1 to one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday in June: No trout may be harvested or possessed.
[5] - Delayed Harvest catch-and-release period, Virginia Delayed Harvest waters (October to May):
From October 1 through May 31 fishing on the following waters is permitted under specific regulations only:
[6] - Designated Stocked Trout Waters stocking period, Virginia Designated Stocked Trout Waters (October to May):
“Designated Stocked Trout Waters” are stocked from October through May with catchable-sized trout.
[7] - Minimize wading (brook trout eggs in gravel), Shenandoah National Park streams, Virginia (October to March):
Minimize wading in streams between October and March when brook trout eggs are present in gravel.
[8] - Delayed Harvest catch-and-release period, Georgia Delayed Harvest streams (Chattahoochee, Toccoa, Amicalola, Smith Creek, Chattooga sections) (November to May):
From November 1 to May 14, these trout streams are catch-and-release only and anglers must also only use single hook, artificial lures.
[9]
Use it on the water
Pick flies with the fly finder, check an insect with the fly identifier, and read the flow and temperature on each water page before you go.
- North Carolina watersWater pages
- Tennessee watersWater pages
- Virginia watersWater pages
- Georgia watersWater pages
Sources
Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.
- North Carolina Hatch Chart (PDF; NCWRC with North Carolina Trout Unlimited) North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Fishing - Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Brook Trout Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Brook Trout - Shenandoah National Park National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Trout Fishing in North Carolina North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Delayed Harvest Waters Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Trout Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Shenandoah National Park Fishing Regulations (PDF) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
- Stream Into Action: Delayed Harvest Streams Open Nov. 1 Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, read Oct 24, 2026.
Other regions
- Northern Rockies8 rows
- Pacific Northwest10 rows
- California19 rows
- Southwest and Colorado8 rows
- Alaska8 rows
- Driftless19 rows
- Catskills and the Northeast17 rows
- Ozarks3 rows
- Great Lakes10 rows