StrikeTracks

Tennessee

Watauga River below Wilbur Dam

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Location Snapshot

Watauga River below Wilbur Dam is a cold northeastern Tennessee tailwater flowing from Wilbur Reservoir toward the Holston system. Rainbow and brown trout define the fishery, with long runs, riffles, and deeper channels giving the river a distinctly regulated tailwater character.

Current River Rating

Unavailable

Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.

Low confidence

Should I Go?

Not Enough Data

Timing Outlook

No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.

Why

  • This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.

Cautions

  • Water temperature is unavailable.

Current Readings

Flow
Not available
Gage Height
Not available
Water Temperature
Not available
Latest current reading
Not available

Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 03484000 · 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

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Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.

Changing Conditions Advisory

Short-term rainfall and flow-change signals

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Weather Near Gauge

Current Weather

Clear

Temperature

46°F

Feels like

37°F

Wind

8 mph E

Wind gust

10 mph

Current precipitation

0.00 in

Updated

Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 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

  • Tue 6 AM

    Clear

    Temp 46°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 8 mph

  • Tue 10 AM

    Clear

    Temp 57°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 2 mph

  • Tue 2 PM

    Clear

    Temp 73°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 2 mph

  • Tue 6 PM

    Clear

    Temp 70°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 6 mph

  • Tue 10 PM

    Clear

    Temp 57°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 6 mph

  • Wed 2 AM

    Clear

    Temp 54°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 8 mph

Four-Day Forecast

  • Tue, Oct 20

    Clear

    High 74°F / Low 45°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 11 mph

  • Wed, Oct 21

    Clear

    High 72°F / Low 51°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 13 mph

  • Thu, Oct 22

    Clear

    High 70°F / Low 44°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 6 mph

  • Fri, Oct 23

    Clear

    High 72°F / Low 45°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 7 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

The Watauga below Wilbur Dam is the tailwater that runs about 16 miles from the dam through Carter and Washington counties into Boone Reservoir. It is managed for wild brown trout, and rainbow trout are stocked there.

Fishery Profile

Documented species you may encounter at Watauga River.

High confidenceLast verified: Aug 23, 2026

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

Target species

Fishery characteristics

Composition
Mixed wild and stocked
Great Lakes tributary
No
Flow regime
Tailwater

Best seasons

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

Common techniques

  • Dry flies
  • Fly fishing
  • Nymphing
  • Spinning
  • Streamers

Stocking information

  • Rainbow Trout

    Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

    Stocked

  • Brown Trout

    Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

    Stocked

Official sources

Hatch Match

No destination-specific hatch data is currently available.

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

Carter, Tennessee

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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

Carter

Management Category

Inland trout tailwater

Regulation Scope

Watauga River below Wilbur Dam.

Regulation Summary

Watauga River below Wilbur Dam: TWRA inland trout-tailwater rules. Confirm current official regulations.

Target Species

rainbow-trout, brown-trout

Access, Parking, and Regulations

Verified access notes and official resources for Watauga River below Wilbur Dam. This is StrikeTracks guidance — always confirm with official sources.

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