Tennessee
Hiwassee River above Reliance
Current River Rating
Fair · 54
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Flow observation is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Timing Evidence
Cloud cover is favorable for daytime trout fishing.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- 66.2 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03556590 · 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
75°F
Feels like
82°F
Wind
3 mph W
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 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 4 AM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 91°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 97°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 89°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 82°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 97°F / Low 73°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Partly cloudy
High 97°F / Low 75°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 70°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 89°F / Low 69°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 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
Hiwassee River above Reliance, Tennessee. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Hiwassee 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
Hiwassee River above Reliance is the TWRA Apalachia Dam trout tailwater. StrikeTracks requalifies this existing public identity to Monitoring-Backed from USGS 03556590 (live water temperature). Distinct from Georgia Toccoa near Dial 03558000 and from any Tennessee Ocoee clone. 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 Hiwassee / Apalachia rainbow trout. USGS 03556590. Not Georgia Toccoa 03558000.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
TWRA Hiwassee tailwater brown trout.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Apalachia Dam tailwater on the Hiwassee in Polk County, a Tennessee trout reach distinct from the Georgia Toccoa at Dial.
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 Hiwassee tailwater access above Reliance. Catalog coordinates remain USGS 03556590. Station is not remapped onto Georgia 03558000.
Stocking information
TWRA stocks the Hiwassee 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. Do not remap onto Georgia Toccoa 03558000. 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
Polk, 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
Polk
Management Category
Inland trout tailwater
Regulation Scope
Hiwassee River above Reliance
Regulation Summary
Hiwassee River above Reliance: TWRA inland trout-tailwater rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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