EAST FORK OF THE CHATTOOGA

Oconee County

Offering excellent fishing opportunities, the East Fork of the Chattooga

has good-sized pools and a 25-foot average width. The entire length of
the East Fork provides fine habitat for wild brown trout, as well as stocked
rainbow and brook trout in the vicinity of the Walhalla Fish Hatchery. East
Fork runs from the NC-SC state line by the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery
and into the main-stem of the Chattooga. Access is via SC 107 at Sloans
Bridge Recreation Area and the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery off SC 107. A
handicap accessible fishing pier, picnic facility, and restrooms are available
at the Walhalla Hatchery. The East Fork is entirely on USFS property and is
publicly accessible for its entire length. A hiking trail parallels the East Fork
from the hatchery downstream to the main-stem of the Chattooga.
Other Chattooga tributary streams, which provide good backcountry
fishing opportunities for wild trout include: Bad Creek, Indian Camp Creek,
King Creek, Pig Pen Branch, Ira Branch and Swafford Branch. Whetstone
Creek, Fall Creek, Long Creek and Opossum Creek are all tributaries, which
are periodically stocked with small trout to provide fishing opportunities.

CHAUGA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Oconee County

Michael Foster

The Chauga River is a beautiful stream with deep pools. The Chauga
forms in the Mountain Rest Community just south of SC 28. The river
flows south to the vicinity of US Highway 76 and eventually flows into Lake
Hartwell. The section of the Chauga from Land Bridge Road (CH 196) south
to the vicinity of Riley Moore Shoals Access is largely in public ownership
(USFS) and, therefore, is accessible to the public. The Chauga River is
primarily a hatcherysupported trout stream,
although some wild
trout are present.
During stocking
season, numerous
public access areas are
stocked with catchable
trout along the length
of the Chauga. Many
access areas via county
roads and USFS roads
are available along the
length of the Chauga.

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