Bigfoot outfitter adventure

Fishing near Bigfoot Outfitters

Fishing trout, bass, crappie, walleye, and muskie on the Ocoee River, Hiwassee River, Toccoa River, and Parksville Lake for all year-round

Your Complete Guide to Southeastern Tennessee’s Best Waters

Tucked into the mountains of Polk County in southeastern Tennessee, Bigfoot Outfitters sits at the center of one of the most diverse and productive fishing regions in the entire Southeast. Within just a few miles of our property you have direct access to four distinct fisheries — the Ocoee River, Parksville Lake, the world-renowned Hiwassee River, and the Toccoa River along the Georgia border — each offering its own unique mix of species, scenery, and technique. Whether you’re chasing rainbow trout on a dry fly, working a crankbait for largemouth bass, or targeting a trophy muskie, this corner of East Tennessee has something to put a bend in your rod every month of the year.

What Makes Fishing So Great Near Bigfoot?

The rivers and lakes of the Ocoee River corridor in Polk County are fed by the southern end of the Cherokee National Forest, creating cold, clean tailwaters and clear highland reservoirs that are perfect habitat for both warmwater and coldwater fish. Add in the region’s mild four-season climate — winters that rarely push anglers off the water and summers that don’t cook the streams — and you have a fishery that genuinely holds up 365 days a year.

The area offers something rare in modern fishing: genuine variety within a small geographic footprint. A single trip to Bigfoot Outfitters can let you wade a rock-bottomed trout stream in the morning, drift a tailwater for rising browns in the afternoon, and toss a topwater lure for bass as the sun goes down — all without driving more than 30 minutes.

The Bigfoot Outfitters Advantage: Private River Access

What truly sets a Bigfoot Outfitters stay apart is our exclusive private access to the Ocoee River directly on our property. For anglers, this is a significant perk that’s hard to overstate:

No fighting for a spot at crowded public access points
No long commute to the water — the river is steps from your cabin door
Fish at your own pace, on your own schedule, without the crowds
A peaceful, uncrowded experience even during peak season

Light to medium tackle performs well for most Ocoee species. Bring polarized sunglasses to cut the river’s glare and spot fish holding in the current. Early mornings and evenings are prime times, especially in summer. The Ocoee’s clear water also makes it rewarding fly fishing water for anyone willing to give it a try.

Ocoee River Fishing — Including Exclusive Private Access at Bigfoot Outfitters

The Ocoee River is nationally famous as a whitewater destination, but it’s also a legitimate and underappreciated fishery. Because most visitors come for the rafting, the fishing pressure stays low — and for anglers who know when and where to go, the rewards can be outstanding.

Fish Species in the Ocoee River

The Ocoee supports a healthy mix of warmwater and coldwater species depending on the section and time of year:

Smallmouth Bass — The Ocoee’s rocky structure and strong current create ideal smallmouth habitat. These fish fight hard in moving water and are a particular highlight on the Lower Ocoee.
Rainbow Trout — Stocked in the Ocoee tailwater sections, rainbow trout provide excellent angling especially in cooler months.
Catfish — Channel and flathead catfish are abundant throughout the river system.
Sunfish & Rock Bass — Abundant year-round and great fun on light tackle, making the Ocoee perfect for kids and beginners.

Fishing the Lower, Middle, and Upper Ocoee

Lower Ocoee (below Ocoee Dam #1): This is the most accessible stretch for fishing. There is a boat ramp with free parking below the dam. Tailwater fishing here produces trout, bass, catfish, and perch. work well, or simply fish from the banks. Because rafting traffic is lighter here, anglers can spread out comfortably.

Middle and Upper Ocoee: These sections are shared with commercial whitewater rafting operations, but when the TVA water releases are off, both sections open up as excellent wade-fishing water. Fishing during non-release periods gives you virtually undisturbed access to quality smallmouth bass and trout water. Check TVA’s water release schedule before your trip.

Parksville Lake (Lake Ocoee) — Warmwater Fishing for Bass, Crappie, Walleye, Muskie & More

Created when TVA’s predecessor dammed the Ocoee River with Ocoee Dam #1 in 1911, Parksville Reservoir — locals call it Lake Ocoee — sits just minutes from Bigfoot Outfitters. With 1,930 surface acres in Polk County, it’s a full-featured warmwater fishery that has quietly become one of Tennessee’s most intriguing lakes, partly due to the remarkable variety of species now present. Boat and kayak rentals are available on the lake and the boat ramp fee is $3 per vehicle per day.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass have historically dominated Parksville but now share the spotlight with invasive Alabama bass. The upper end of the reservoir is most productive for largemouth. In spring (March–May), when water temperatures hit 68–72°F, focus on visible shallow cover — rocks, stumps, laydowns, and aquatic grass beds — with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and soft plastics. Summer shifts fish deeper to points and offshore structure; try topwater lures at dawn and dusk. Fall fishing heats up again in creek arms as bass chase baitfish.

Alabama Bass

Parksville holds what is currently the Tennessee state record Alabama bass — a 7-pound fish caught in 2014. These invasive fish now make up over 60% of the black bass population and are aggressive, hard-fighting, and excellent table fare. There is no creel limit or minimum length limit on Alabama bass at Parksville — in fact, TWRA encourages anglers to harvest them. Target the lower portions of the reservoir with crankbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics along steep rock banks.

Crappie

Parksville’s clear water favors black crappie over white crappie. Spring is prime time when fish move shallow into creeks and coves to spawn. Use small jigs or live minnows and work brush piles, laydowns, and vegetation. Summer crappie go deep — spider rigging or trolling in deep coves works well. Not a high-volume crappie lake compared to Chickamauga, but quality fish are present.

Walleye

TWRA has stocked walleye in Parksville since 2016, and reports of catches are growing. In February through April, walleye congregate in the Ocoee River upstream from the reservoir during spawning season. Trolling down the main river channel with shad-imitating baits is the most effective approach.

Muskie

One of the most exciting developments at Parksville is an emerging muskie fishery. TWRA began stocking muskie in 2017, and fish are growing fast. Target the upper portions of the reservoir and Sylco Creek with large swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and rooster tails. Focus efforts in fall, winter, and spring when cooler water temperatures are in the muskie’s preferred feeding range. Muskie are most commonly caught incidentally by bass anglers, but dedicated muskie anglers are increasingly pursuing them with good results.

Panfish: Bluegill, Redear Sunfish & Yellow Perch

Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) were stocked to build the forage base, and both provide fun panfishing. In spring, look for bedding fish in the backs of creeks and coves using worms, crickets, or small jigs. Yellow perch are also present in good numbers — the upper end around Greasy Creek is especially productive — and will bite worms, minnows, and small jigs year-round.

Hiwassee River — World-Class Trout Fly Fishing in Tennessee’s First State Scenic River

About 20 miles from Bigfoot Outfitters lies the Hiwassee River near Reliance, Tennessee — widely considered one of the finest trout streams in the Southeast and the first river in Tennessee to be designated as a State Scenic River. Flowing from TVA’s Apalachia Powerhouse through a stunning gorge in the Cherokee National Forest, the 21-mile tailwater provides consistently cold, clear water that supports a thriving population of rainbow and brown trout year-round.

Exceptional Dry Fly Fishing Year-Round

The Hiwassee is most famous for its dry fly fishing. The river’s prolific insect hatches drive surface feeding activity virtually every month of the year:

Spring: Early mayflies and large grannom caddis hatches
Late Spring: Blue-winged olives and the beginning of the sulphur hatch
Summer/Fall: Isonychias — big dry flies that keep fish looking up through summer and into late fall
Late Fall: Large October Caddis
Winter: Baetis and white streamer patterns; larger brown trout become more active

The Hiwassee is a drift boat river on the upper sections, and wet wading is popular throughout. Streamers have been producing well in addition to dry fly and dropper rigs. Best fishing hours are generally 10am–5pm, with the best access at the train trestle boat ramp. The top stretch runs from the Powerhouse down to Reliance, with the section below Reliance also productive depending on flows.

Delayed Harvest Regulations

From October through March, the river above Reliance is designated catch-and-release. All trout are protected under delayed harvest regulations during this period.

Check flows from the Apalachia Powerhouse

fishing conditions on the Hiwassee depend heavily on whether TVA is generating power. Orvis posts weekly fishing reports and conditions for the Hiwassee at fishingreports.orvis.com.

Toccoa River — Trout Fishing on the Tennessee-Georgia Border

The Ocoee River doesn’t begin in Tennessee — it starts in Georgia as the Toccoa River, crossing into Polk County at Copperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA where it becomes the Ocoee. This gentle, picturesque river is beloved by fly anglers for its native and stocked trout: rainbow, brook, and brown trout are all present.

A popular free access point is Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville, GA. Drift boat trips and wet wading are both excellent on the Toccoa. The river’s gentle gradient makes it approachable for beginner fly fishers while still offering enough technical water to challenge experienced anglers.

License Note: A Georgia fishing license is required to fish the Toccoa River on the Georgia side of the border.

Fish Species Quick Reference — What You Can Catch Near Bigfoot Outfitters

Here’s a summary of the species available across the region’s four major fisheries:

Rainbow Trout — Ocoee River tailwater, Hiwassee River, Toccoa River (year-round)
Brown Trout — Hiwassee River, Toccoa River (year-round; more active in winter)
Brook Trout — Toccoa River, smaller native streams in Cherokee National Forest
Smallmouth Bass — Ocoee River (year-round, especially Lower Ocoee)
Largemouth Bass — Parksville Lake (best in spring March–May)
Alabama Bass — Parksville Lake (dominant species; no creel/size limit)
Crappie — Parksville Lake (spring spawning run in creeks best)
Walleye — Parksville Lake (stocked; best Feb–April in spawning aggregations)
Muskie — Parksville Lake (emerging fishery; fall, winter, spring best)
Catfish — Ocoee River and Parksville Lake (year-round)
Bluegill & Redear Sunfish — Parksville Lake (excellent spring panfishing in creek arms)
Yellow Perch — Parksville Lake (good density; Greasy Creek area)
Sunfish & Rock Bass — Ocoee River (great for kids and light tackle fishing)

Best Times to Fish the Ocoee River Area

A Seasonal Guide

(March–May)

Spring

The best all-around season. Bass spawn on Parksville Lake, walleye are active in the Ocoee River upstream from the reservoir, crappie move shallow, and caddis hatches bring trout up to the surface on the Hiwassee. Expect mild temperatures and rising water levels. This is when you want to be here.

(June–August)

Summer

Mornings and evenings are the sweet spot. Fish the Ocoee River for smallmouth and trout during early morning hours; mid-day heat pushes fish deeper on Parksville Lake. The Hiwassee’s Isonychia hatch produces exciting topwater action through the summer heat. Water releases from TVA dams create fishing windows — check the schedule before your trip.

(September–November)

Fall

Bass aggressively feed in shallow creeks as water cools. Muskie activity picks up on Parksville Lake. October Caddis brings explosive surface feeding on the Hiwassee. This is widely considere

(December–February)

Winter

Underrated by most anglers. The Hiwassee’s delayed harvest section is catch-and-release, but larger brown trout are at their most active in cold water. Walleye begin staging for their late-winter spawn. Parksville Lake produces bass with slow jigs and float-and-fly presentations along steep banks.

Fishing Licenses, Regulations & Gear Tips

Licenses

A valid Tennessee fishing license is required to fish the Ocoee River, Hiwassee River, and Parksville Lake. If you plan to fish the Toccoa River on the Georgia side of the border, you’ll also need a Georgia fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online at gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Parksville Lake Key Regulations

Largemouth Bass: 5 fish per day, 15-inch minimum length limit
Crappie (all species): 15 per day in combination, 10-inch minimum length limit
Muskellunge: 1 per day, 36-inch minimum length limit
Trout: 7 per day, no minimum length limit
Alabama Bass: No creel limit, no minimum length limit (harvest encouraged)
No live transport of any black bass away from Parksville Reservoir

Hiwassee River Key Regulation

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Gear Recommendations

Ocoee River (warmwater): Light to medium spinning or baitcasting tackle. For bass, try crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and jigs. For trout, light 4–6 lb. fluorocarbon with small spinners or live bait works well. Polarized sunglasses are a must for reading the water.
Hiwassee River (fly fishing): A 9-foot 5- or 6-weight fly rod with a floating line covers most situations. Dry flies, dry-dropper rigs, and nymphs are all productive. Streamers (white patterns for winter, darker baitfish patterns in summer) are increasingly effective.
Parksville Lake (bass & mixed species): Medium to medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning gear. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater lures, jigs, soft plastic worms and swimbaits are all productive depending on season. For muskie, step up to heavy action gear with strong 50–80 lb. braid and large single-hook lures.