Chasing Trout on the Nottely
By The Southern Woods
Tucked in the rolling hills of North Georgia, winding quietly through Union County and down into Lake Nottely, flows one of the South’s most underrated trout waters: the Nottely River. Unlike its more famous cousins—the Toccoa, the Chattahoochee, or even the Chattooga—the Nottely doesn’t attract much fanfare. But for the angler who craves solitude, wild beauty, and the thrill of hooking into a feisty rainbow or brown trout, this river is a true backwoods treasure.
The Lay of the Land
The Nottely River starts in the Chattahoochee National Forest and meanders its way south through the Appalachian foothills. Before it reaches Lake Nottely, the river remains cool, clean, and trout-friendly, especially in its upper stretches near the town of Blairsville.
While it doesn’t have the sheer volume of trout as some heavily-stocked waters, it makes up for it with scenic, and a sense of stillness that’s hard to find on more pressured rivers.
Types of Trout You’ll Find
The Georgia DNR stocks portions of the Nottely with:
Rainbow Trout (stocked and holdovers)
Brown Trout (less common, but present)
Brook Trout (very rare, mostly in small tributaries higher in the mountains)
But don't be fooled, some of the holdover rainbows can grow big, strong, and smart. Hooking into one is more than a lucky cast; it’s a reward for patience and precision.
When to Go
Spring (March–May):
This is prime time. Water temps are perfect, insect hatches are steady, and stocked trout are active. Fish the morning after a stocking for easy action, or wait a week and target the ones that have settled into a natural rhythm.
Summer (June–August):
Early mornings and shaded stretches are your best bet. The upper Nottely stays cool enough to hold trout, but pressure and heat can make things slow mid-day.
Fall (September–November):
Gorgeous foliage, cooler temps, and less traffic. A great time for fly anglers to throw dry-dropper rigs and streamers.
Winter (December–February):
The hardcore season. Fish slow, deep, and deliberately. You may not get many bites, but the ones you get are hard-earned.
How to Fish It
Fly Fishing:
Best Flies: Elk hair caddis, parachute Adams, pheasant tails, and woolly buggers.
Use 4–5 weight rods with a light leader (5x or 6x) and focus on seams, undercut banks, and slow-moving pools.
Drift small nymphs through pocket water in the upper reaches.
Spin Fishing:
Ultralight gear with 2–6 lb test is ideal.
Try Rooster Tail spinners in gold, green, or black.
A small trout magnet or inline spoon under a float can work wonders in slower pools.
Bait Fishing:
Live worms or corn can work well in stocked sections. Just be mindful of local regulations and don’t be surprised if you catch more creek chubbs if anything.
Where to Access the River
Meeks Park (Blairsville): Easily accessible, well-stocked, and beginner-friendly.
USFS Road Pull-Offs: Several forest roads provide access points to more secluded, wild-feeling stretches north of Blairsville.
Nottely Dam Tailwaters: Below the dam offers cooler water and a mix of species, though trout can be scarce in summer.
Tip: The farther you go from the road, the better the fishing tends to be.
Why It’s Special
The Nottely isn’t just about the fish, it’s about the feel. There’s a peace to this river. The way it slides over mossy rocks. The way the mountain laurel leans in overhead. The way you can spend half a day casting in silence, broken only by the occasional splash of a rising trout.
It’s Southern Appalachian trout fishing at its most intimate, quiet, personal, and rooted deep in the hills.
If you're looking for a new river to fall in love with, consider giving the Nottely a cast. It may not be the biggest, the baddest, or the most famous, but it just might be your favorite.
