The Chattooga River is a freestone river in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina, listed as Catch and release by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations).
1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 7 guides nearby are listed here.
The Chattooga River at Bull Pen Bridge, North Carolina headwaters. Photo: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chattooga River is a freestone river in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina.
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Chattooga River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Chattooga River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Chattooga River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Devils Fork CreekThe lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Devils Fork Creek.
South Carolina · about 8 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Hoods CreekThe Toccoa River just north of (downstream of) Blue Ridge Dam, Georgia. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Hoods Creek.
Georgia · about 8 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Chauga RiverThe Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park, Greenville County, South Carolina. Photo: John Foxe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Chauga River.
South Carolina · about 12 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Coleman RiverThe Chattahoochee River at Cochran Shoals, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Coleman River.
Georgia · about 15 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Cheohee CreekThe Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cheohee Creek.
South Carolina · about 16 mi
Designated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Soque RiverThe Nantahala River and a footbridge in the Nantahala Gorge. Photo: Nader Moussa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Soque River.
Georgia · about 18 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
On the Trout waters with a Nov. 1 - May 14 catch-and-release season (single-hook artificial lures only) list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations), read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
On the Delayed Harvest trout reaches (SCDNR South Carolina Trout Fishing guide) list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
On the Trout waters with a Nov. 1 - May 14 catch-and-release season (single-hook artificial lures only) list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations), read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
Quoted word for word from the agency page on the date shown. Many quotes name the reach they cover and apply only to that part of the water. Rules change; the linked page is the authority.
“From November 1 to May 14, these trout streams are catch-and-release only and anglers must also only use single hook, artificial lures.”
Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division · read 2026-10-14
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
5 guides name it on their website
Cashiers, NC · 23 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Chattooga & Tuckasegee
Names this water
Franklin, NC · 25 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Chattooga & French Broad
Names this water
Bryson City, NC · 44 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Hazel & Tuckasegee
Names this water
Cumming, GA · 61 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Chattahoochee & Chattooga
Names this water
Cleveland, GA · 30 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Toccoa & Tuckasegee
Nearby
No shop nearby yet.
What 5 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 5 nearby guide websites
None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.
No hub within 40 miles
A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.
7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Chattooga River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, GA. Water type is our own classification.
Warning: Rising fast: be careful, conditions are changing
No water temperature here.
At CHATTOOGA RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, GA (USGS 02177000) Provisional USGS data
USGS 02177000 · NWS CYNG1
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 6:30 PM EDT to Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST; ranging 162 to 1,190 ft³/s; latest 1,020 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST | 1,020 | 2.31 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 1,020 | 2.31 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST | 1,030 | 2.32 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST | 1,040 | 2.33 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 1,070 | 2.36 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST | 1,090 | 2.38 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST | 1,130 | 2.41 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 1,160 | 2.44 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST | 1,180 | 2.45 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST | 1,180 | 2.45 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 1,180 | 2.45 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST | 1,180 | 2.45 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST | 1,190 | 2.46 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 860 | 2.16 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST | 727 | 2.02 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST | 624 | 1.9 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 567 | 1.83 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST | 436 | 1.65 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 353 | 1.52 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 323 | 1.47 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST | 312 | 1.45 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST | 290 | 1.41 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 210 | 1.25 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST | 203 | 1.23 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST | 193 | 1.2 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 186 | 1.18 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST | 179 | 1.16 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST | 175 | 1.15 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 172 | 1.14 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 172 | 1.14 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST | 172 | 1.14 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 172 | 1.14 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST | 169 | 1.13 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 165 | 1.12 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 165 | 1.12 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
| Oct 29, 6:30 PM EDT | 162 | 1.11 |
Normal for Nov 5: 228–565 ft³/s (middle half of 87 years of record). Now: 1,020 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 1,020 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 87 years of record: 10th 163, 25th 228, median 308, 75th 565, 90th 852 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 106 ft³/s, highest 1,620 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 428.5%, from 193 to 1,020 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 2.31 ft stage, 1,100 ft³/s at Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST (NWS gauge CYNG1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines South Carolina DNR uses are 62°F and 70°F.
This gauge is on our page for Chattooga River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 429%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 87 years of record. Expect higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 5:23 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Devils Fork CreekThe lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Devils Fork Creek.
South Carolina · about 8 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Hoods CreekThe Toccoa River just north of (downstream of) Blue Ridge Dam, Georgia. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Hoods Creek.
Georgia · about 8 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Chauga RiverThe Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park, Greenville County, South Carolina. Photo: John Foxe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Chauga River.
South Carolina · about 12 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Coleman RiverThe Chattahoochee River at Cochran Shoals, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Coleman River.
Georgia · about 15 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Cheohee CreekThe Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cheohee Creek.
South Carolina · about 16 mi
Designated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Soque RiverThe Nantahala River and a footbridge in the Nantahala Gorge. Photo: Nader Moussa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Soque River.
Mountain Rest, South Carolina
River cabins · 10 mi
