Tennessee
Elk River above Fayetteville
Current River Rating
Poor · 29
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Do Not Go
Avoid This Period
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
This is an informational evaluation period, not a recommended fishing window. These seasonal suggestions should not be interpreted as a recommendation to enter
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Blocking Factors
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 280 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.49 ft
- Water Temperature
- 78.4 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03582000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
78°F
Feels like
89°F
Wind
2 mph W
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 7 AM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 91°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 98°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 7 PM
Overcast
Temp 93°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 83°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 99°F / Low 75°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 99°F / Low 72°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 87°F / Low 68°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 90°F / Low 73°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 29 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Elk River above Fayetteville, Tennessee. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Elk River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Elk River above Fayetteville is the TWRA Tims Ford Dam trout tailwater. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 03582000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from deferred Elk near Pelham 03578000 and Elk at Prospect 03584600. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA Tims Ford / Elk River rainbow trout. USGS 03582000. Not Pelham 03578000 or Prospect 03584600.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA Tims Ford tailwater brown trout.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Tims Ford Dam tailwater on the Elk River in Lincoln County, a TWRA trout reach distinct from the Pelham and Prospect Elk identities.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by TWRA Tims Ford / Elk River tailwater access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 03582000.
Stocking information
TWRA stocks the Tims Ford tailwater. Confirm current official notices. Stocking is fishery context, not a condition rating.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Official sources
TWRA trout-tailwater rules change. Distinct from Elk near Pelham 03578000 and Elk at Prospect 03584600. Confirm current TWRA trout regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Lincoln, Tennessee
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Lincoln
Management Category
Inland trout tailwater
Regulation Scope
Elk River above Fayetteville
Regulation Summary
Elk River above Fayetteville: TWRA inland trout-tailwater rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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