| Fishing in North Georgia's Blue Ridge | | | | even the occasional 20 inch trout can be |
| Mountains is exciting for beginners and | | | | found. Did you know Georgia has roughly 4,000 |
| experts. With a wide variety of places to | | | | miles of trout streams and over 100,000 trout |
| fish, you will want to know about the area | | | | anglers? The WRD and US Fish & Wildlife |
| and what it has to offer before you take off | | | | Service are busy stocking Georgia streams |
| for a day of fishing. Before you cast off | | | | with trout from late March through August. |
| you'll need to ensure you have a Georgia | | | | Fishing season typically starts at the end of |
| fishing license. You can apply for a fishing | | | | March and runs until the end of October. |
| license at various locations and even online. | | | | Delayed Harvest Streams (beginners): Are you |
| Once you have your fishing license, its time | | | | new to fishing? Georgia offers a variety of |
| to decide where to fish. Lake Blue Ridge | | | | delayed harvest streams. These streams are |
| Fishing: A fishing trip would not be complete | | | | ideal for beginners and offer less |
| in North Georgia without visiting Lake Blue | | | | experienced anglers the ability to get good |
| Ridge. The lake is actually a 3,290 acre | | | | experience in an ideal environment. Fannin |
| reservoir on the Toccoa River. The reservoir, | | | | County and White County both offer delayed |
| located near Blue Ridge, GA, is operated by | | | | harvest streams. In Fannin County the delayed |
| the Tennessee Valley Authority. Lake Blue | | | | harvest stream is located along the Toccoa |
| Ridge fishing is exciting because of the | | | | River, near Blue Ridge, GA. White County's |
| diversity of fish you can catch. Those on the | | | | delayed stream is located two counties over |
| lake are likely to encounter bluegill, | | | | on Smith Creek. Blue Ridge Mountain North |
| largemouth bass, white bass, yellow perch and | | | | Georgia Fishing Vacations: North Georgia is a |
| walleye. Catching walleye is best spring to | | | | great destination for a fishing vacation. |
| fall at night because of the clear water. | | | | Those that fish enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountain |
| Another reason the lake is popular is the | | | | North Georgia region because of the diversity |
| ease of navigation. The lake can be easily | | | | of fishing settings. Located about 90 minutes |
| navigated by small boat, canoe, tube or you | | | | from Atlanta, the region is a great |
| can wade in several places. Check with the | | | | destination for adventure-seeking |
| Tennessee Valley Authority for water release | | | | vacationers. An industry for tourism has |
| times and safety information. Georgia Trout | | | | grown around the beauty of the mountains and |
| Fishing: If you're a fly fishing enthusiast, | | | | quality of fishing. The next time you are |
| then consider the lower Toccoa River to be a | | | | considering North Georgia cabin rentals, |
| dream come true. The Wildlife Resource | | | | consider a fishing trip on this region's |
| Division stocks the lower Toccoas River | | | | rivers, lakes and streams. |
| annually with adult and fingerling rainbow | | | | |
| trout, and brown trout. The lower Toccoa | | | | Keith Kurtis is an avid adventurer with an |
| River game fish is 75% trout, with an average | | | | interest in Blue Ridge Mountain North |
| size of about 9 inches. The Toccoa River | | | | Georgia, North Georgia Cabins and Blue Ridge |
| supports natural reproduction, so it's not | | | | Mountain cabin rentals. |
| unlikely to catch a 12 inch to 16 inch trout, | | | | |