It’s a fishing day

South Holston River fishing conditions · Tennessee

Now until 6 pmRainbow trout

The bite peaks at 78.

Log a trip here
Right now: 78 for rainbow trout, worth the trip · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 784 pm
  2. 78
  3. 68
  4. 687 pm
  5. 58
  6. 58
  7. 5810 pm
  8. 58
  9. 58Sun
  10. 581 am
  11. 58
  12. 58
  13. 584 am
  14. 58
  15. 58
  16. 587 am
  17. 58
  18. 58
  19. 5810 am
  20. 58
  21. 68
  22. 681 pm
  23. 68
  24. 68
  25. 684 pm
  26. 68
  27. 68
  28. 687 pm
  29. 68
  30. 68
  31. 6810 pm
  32. 68
  33. 68Mon
  34. 681 am
  35. 68
  36. 68
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Rainbow trout range 45–68°

Wind
5 mph

From the northwest

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:26 pm

Sky
Sunny

No rain expected

Air
57°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Tennessee regulations for these waters.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

78Worth the tripNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

7 a day

Release 16–22".

Open. Keep fish within the limits. All trout from 16 to 22" must be released; 7 a day with only 1 over 22". Two spawning areas close to all fishing Nov 1–Jan 31.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Holston, South Holston Dam to Boone Dam

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

78Worth the tripNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

7 a day

Release 16–22".

Open. Keep fish within the limits. All trout from 16 to 22" must be released; 7 a day with only 1 over 22". Two spawning areas close to all fishing Nov 1–Jan 31.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Holston, South Holston Dam to Boone Dam

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.08 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:26 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:58 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:50 pm–4:50 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:20 pm–12:20 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:10 am–7:10 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

Tennessee TWRA report, Oct 11

Names brown trout, rainbow trout, which people fish for here. It covers the whole state, so it may not describe these waters.

Read it at Tennessee TWRA

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A celebrated northeast-Tennessee tailwater below South Holston Dam, renowned for its prolific sulphur hatch and dense wild brown trout. Cold, even flows and limestone richness make it one of the premier dry-fly rivers in the Southeast.

TN: all trout from 16 to 22" must be released; 7 a day with only 1 over 22". Two spawning areas close to all fishing Nov 1–Jan 31. Wade during low generation — check the TVA release schedule.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Watauga River16 mi · TennesseeBest now until 6 pm
78Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at South Holston River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at South Holston River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at South Holston River?

South Holston River is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at South Holston River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at South Holston River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does South Holston River have?

South Holston River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. TN: all trout from 16 to 22" must be released; 7 a day with only 1 over 22". Two spawning areas close to all fishing Nov 1–Jan 31. Wade during low generation — check the TVA release schedule.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at South Holston River?

state agency regulations apply at South Holston River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is South Holston River tidal water?

No. South Holston River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.