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Stocking schedule

Watauga River stocking schedule 2026.

  • Stocking Now
  • River
  • Carter County

The Watauga River is South Holston's sister tailwater — slightly faster water, similar hatch sequence, and weekly TWRA trout stockings year-round.

Official source

For the actual Watauga River stocking dates and volumes this week, view Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's official stocking report.

View Tennessee official report →

Stocking detail

Watauga River stocked species.

  • Rainbow Trout
    WeeklyStandard regulations
    JanJan — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesFebFeb — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMarMar — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAprApr — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMayMay — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJunJun — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJulJul — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAugAug — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesSepSep — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesOctOct — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesNovNov — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesDecDec — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
    Typical volumeYear-round weekly stockings
    RegulationStandard TN regulations.
    Access points
    • Wilbur Dam
    • Siam Bridge
    • Smalling Bridge

Access & amenities

Full public accessNearest town: Elizabethton, TN

Public access along TN Highway 91 corridor; floats from Wilbur Dam to TN/NC line.

boat rampparkingstream accessdrift boat access
USGS gauge 03488000 — live water data →

Get notified when Watauga River is stocked.

Bield Fish reads Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's stocking reports and pushes a notification when Watauga River appears on the schedule. Save your home waters once.

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All Tennessee stocking schedules →Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency report →