The Tennessee Overhill is best known for its rivers-the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Tellico and the Conasauga and while the Cherokee National Forest is home to over 60 species of fish the region is best known for its trout fishing with rainbow, brown and brook trout all thriving in forest streams.

The Ocoee River provides habitat for trout and other species from Parksville Dam to where it meets with the Hiwassee River. Located at the mouth of the Ocoee River Gorge, Parksville Lake is becoming increasing popular offering a wide variety. Bluegill catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and trout are all becoming regular trophies for many anglers.

The Hiwassee River offers some of Tennessee’s finest fishing for rainbow and brown trout, making it one of the best trout fishing rivers in the eastern United States. An added bonus is the Trophy Trout section on the river north and east of Reliance. This section enables anglers to fish for trophy trout, with the largest brook trout taken from the Hiwassee weighing in at 31 pounds, 14 ounces.

One of the largest natural trout streams in the Southeast and birthplace of the famous Tellico Nymph, the Tellico River is big water by most standards. Although the Tennessee portion of the river is stocked weekly during spring and summer and has a liberal creel limit, large trout are occasionally taken. Brown trout of more than 20 pounds have been caught there, and each year anglers catch trophies of ten pounds or more. Excellent fishing for small wild rainbows can be found upstream from the Tellico Hatchery to the beginning of the brook-trout waters in North Carolina.

The Conasauga River is the most pristine major trout stream located in the Overhill and fishing this river effectively requires a great deal of stealth and stalking. This is the domain of the angler who doesn't mind walking a few miles to the two stretches of water downstream of the wilderness area that are on Forest Service land and, thus, open to public fishing. Rainbows up to 20 inches turn up occasionally, and browns up to 9 pounds have been recorded over the years. The fact that much of the water is difficult to reach means the creeks get only light fishing pressure and the water quality is excellent. Especially during low-water periods in the summer and fall the flow appears transparent. It is possible to walk up on pools and find as many as a dozen fish visible, but one unguarded step along the creek bank will send them scurrying for cover.
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