The North Georgia mountains hold some of the best freshwater fishing in the Southeast. Cold, high-elevation streams fed by national forest headwaters. Reservoirs stocked with walleye and bass. Wildlife Management Areas with miles of fishable water and almost no crowds. And a federal fish hatchery sitting in the middle of all of it that stocks many of these streams directly.
Coopers Creek is one of the closest and most productive trout streams to the Toccoa Currents cabins. It runs through the Chattahoochee National Forest in Fannin and Union counties and is stocked regularly by Georgia DNR. The creek has good holding water throughout, with a mix of riffles, pools, and pocket water that holds both rainbow and brown trout.
The Coopers Creek Recreation Area provides Forest Service camping along the creek if you want to fish multiple days without driving back. The surrounding Coopers Creek WMA adds additional access points and miles of fishable water. See the WMA section below for details.
Standard Georgia fishing license and trout license required
Forest Service camping available along the creek
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery
Hatchery
The Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is a federal facility operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service near Suches. It is the source of many of the rainbow trout stocked into North Georgia streams including the Toccoa River, Coopers Creek, and others across the region.
The hatchery is open to visitors and worth a stop if you are curious about where the fish come from. Raceway tanks hold thousands of trout at various stages of growth. There is no charge to visit, and the grounds are dog-friendly. The hatchery also hosts two popular public fishing events each year: Military Fishing Day and Seniors Fishing Day, both held on the hatchery property.
Free to visit and tour the grounds
Dog-friendly
Annual Military Fishing Day and Seniors Fishing Day events
Source of stocked trout for the Toccoa River, Coopers Creek, and surrounding waters
Deep Hole Recreation Area
Trout Stream
Deep Hole is a U.S. Forest Service recreation area on Coopers Creek in Fannin County. It is named for a deep swimming hole on the creek, but it is also a solid fishing spot. The pool holds trout and the surrounding creek water fishes well above and below the recreation area.
Deep Hole is popular in summer for swimming, which means the fishing is best early in the morning before the crowds arrive. It has a small parking area and is easy to access. Deep Hole Recreation Area is part of the same creek system as Coopers Creek, so a fishing license and trout license are both required.
Species: Rainbow trout
Best fishing early morning before swimmers arrive
Easy Forest Service access with parking
Fish the creek above and below the swimming hole for better results
Sandy Bottom Recreation Area
Toccoa River Access
Sandy Bottom is a Forest Service recreation area on the Toccoa River downstream from the cabins. It has a sandy beach along the river, good bank fishing access, and a more open stretch of water than the upper Toccoa near Suches. It is stocked by Georgia DNR and fishes well for rainbow trout, particularly shortly after stocking events.
The Sandy Bottom Recreation Area also serves as a put-in and take-out point for the Toccoa River canoe trail. If you are combining a fishing trip with a float, this is a key access point.
Species: Rainbow trout
Sandy beach with bank fishing access
Canoe trail access point
More open water than the upper river near Suches
Your North Georgia mountain getaway is waiting. Bring your dog. Pack your rod. Leave your stress.
Noontootla Creek is one of Georgia's premier trophy trout streams and one of the least-talked-about fisheries in the state. It flows through private and public land in Fannin County and holds wild brown trout that grow large because of minimal fishing pressure and strict regulations.
Most of Noontootla is designated as a trophy catch-and-release stream. Artificial lures and flies only on regulated sections. No bait fishing. The fish are not stocked — these are wild fish that have survived and grown in cold, clear water for years. Experienced fly anglers who are willing to work harder for fewer but bigger fish should put Noontootla on their list.
Species: Wild brown trout
Trophy catch-and-release regulations on most sections
Artificial lures and flies only on regulated stretches
Less pressure than the Toccoa River — larger fish as a result
Verify current regulations at Georgia DNR before your visit
Lake Blue Ridge
Reservoir
Lake Blue Ridge is a 3,290-acre TVA reservoir in Fannin County, about 24 miles from the cabins. It is best known among anglers for walleye, which thrive in its cold, deep water and are the standout catch on the lake. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bream are also present.
The lake has multiple public boat ramps and is accessible year-round. Fall and early spring are the best times for walleye, which move shallow and are more aggressive in lower light. Bass fishing peaks in spring and early summer around structure and shallow coves.
Best walleye: fall and early spring, low light conditions
Standard Georgia fishing license required
Nottely Lake
Reservoir
Nottely Lake is a TVA reservoir in Union County near Blairsville, about 30 miles from the cabins. At 4,180 acres it is larger than Lake Blue Ridge and holds a good variety of species. Largemouth bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, and bream are all present. The lake is less heavily fished than Lake Blue Ridge and offers good bank fishing access at several points around the shore.
Good bank fishing access in addition to boat ramps
Standard Georgia fishing license required
WMA Fishing in North Georgia
Wildlife Management Areas
North Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas contain miles of fishable streams that most anglers never touch. Access is public and the fish pressure is low. A valid Georgia fishing license is required. Some WMAs have additional regulations during hunting seasons, so verify current rules at georgiawildlife.com before your trip.
Coopers Creek WMA. The WMA surrounding Coopers Creek contains multiple tributary streams in addition to the main creek. Less pressure than the main recreation area access points. Good for anglers willing to walk in to find water. Trout throughout.
Blue Ridge WMA. Located in Fannin County, Blue Ridge WMA contains streams draining into the Toccoa River watershed. Primarily rainbow trout water. Remote access points with significantly less pressure than stocked public water nearby.
Chestatee WMA. Chestatee WMA in Lumpkin and White counties contains headwater streams of the Chestatee River. Rainbow and brown trout. The upper Chestatee is cold, clear, and productive for fly anglers working smaller pocket water.
Rich Mountain WMA. Rich Mountain in Gilmer and Fannin counties contains streams draining both sides of the ridge. Less well-known for fishing than the Union County WMAs but worth exploring for anglers looking for solitude.
The Toccoa River is the closest blue ribbon trout stream to the Toccoa Currents cabins and deserves its own full treatment. Both cabins give you direct access — Headwaters sits on the river, Fish Head Lodge has exclusive community access to a quieter stretch. For everything you need to know about fishing the Toccoa, see the Toccoa River trout fishing guide. For how both cabins compare as fishing base camps, see fishing cabins on the Toccoa River.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best trout stream in North Georgia?
The Toccoa River, Coopers Creek, and Noontootla Creek are consistently rated among the best trout waters in North Georgia. Noontootla is a trophy catch-and-release stream for experienced fly anglers. The Toccoa is the most accessible blue ribbon stream and is stocked regularly by Georgia DNR.
Do I need a license to fish in North Georgia?
Yes. You need a valid Georgia fishing license. If you are fishing designated trout waters, you also need a Georgia trout license. Both are available at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com before your trip.
Can I fish in Wildlife Management Areas in North Georgia?
Yes. Most North Georgia WMAs contain fishable streams open to the public. A valid Georgia fishing license is required. Some WMAs have additional regulations during hunting seasons — check Georgia DNR WMA regulations before your trip.
What fish can I catch in Lake Blue Ridge?
Lake Blue Ridge holds largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, and bream. Walleye are the standout catch and what the lake is best known for among serious anglers.
What is Noontootla Creek known for?
Noontootla Creek is one of Georgia's premier trophy trout streams. It is a designated catch-and-release stream with wild brown trout. Fly fishing only on most sections. It sees less pressure than the Toccoa River and is known for larger fish.
Base Camp on the Toccoa River
Headwaters sits directly on the Toccoa River. Fish Head Lodge has exclusive community river access. Dogs welcome at both. Everything on this list is within an hour.
Toccoa Currents curates mountain cabins across North Georgia — from riverfront retreats to ridge-top hideaways near Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Helen, and Ellijay. Two dog-friendly cabins in Suches, Georgia. One sits on the Toccoa River. The other has exclusive river access.
