John Ross - “Trout Unlimited’s Guide to America’s 100 Best Trout Streams”

“All I can tell you about the Toccoa is that it’s well worth fishing.”

Hunter Barnes - “Duck-eating, Monster Brown Trout Caught In Toccoa”

“I saw the fish eat a baby duck once,” he said. “It was like a stick of dynamite hit the water.”

All About the Toccoa Tailwater

The Toccoa River tailwater begins below TVA Blue Ridge Dam, and is fed by the 3,290-acre Lake Blue Ridge. This nutrient-rich and oxygen-heavy water helps the Toccoa support a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout. The Toccoa ends its northbound journey at the Tennessee state line in McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN. From there, the river changes its name to the Ocoee and starts to form amazing whitewater rafting.

While most of the Toccoa tailwater is on private property, there are several public access areas for boaters, waders and shore fishers to enjoy the river and catch some trout. Click on the public access areas to find out more about the river in each spot:

  • River Mile: 0-0.25
    Access Type: Wade/walk

    From Blue Ridge, TVA’s Blue Ridge dam is located approximately 3 miles from the intersections of highway 5 and highway 515. Heading north, take a right on N. River Road immediately after crossing the Toccoa to access this great spot for wading.

    Water will rise immediately when TVA Dam is generating, exit the river when sirens sound.

  • River Mile: 0-0.25

    Access Type: Ramp & Wade

    Tammen Park is a fantastic public access point on section one of the Toccoa tailwater. Not only is there a great ramp (which will be your sendoff point for float trip on section one), there are also regular stockings.

  • River Mile: 7.2 (give or take)

    Access Type: Ramp (some wade)

    The ramp at Curtis Switch Road is another good access point for the Toccoa River. Signaling the end of Section One and the beginning of Section Two, this is where the personality of the river starts to change. There are several wade access points and a ramp into gentle current.

  • River Mile: 7.2 (give or take)

    Access Type: Ramp & ample wading

    Ron Henry Horeshoe Bend Park (known as “Horseshoe Bend” to many locals) is a riverside park with 1/4 mile of Toccoa access and plenty of the creature comforts and facilities weary fishers need. Expect to always see a lot of folks fishing, grilling, strolling an enjoying this beautiful gem. No commercial rafting/boating is allowed in the park, this also means that your Section Two trip is almost at an end.

  • River Mile: 14.3

    Access Type: Ramp & Dock

    McCaysville City Park marks the end of Section two and is near the TN/GA state line. From the ramp at McCaysville you are just a single city block to shopping, dining, sight seeing and live music that McCaysville and her sister city of Copperhill, TN has to offer. During the summer, waters will be slightly warmer, making Section Two a great run for Trout in the AM, bass in the PM