Cherokee County NC Trout Fishing

NC Trout Streams → Cherokee County
NC Trout Streams · District 9

Cherokee County
Trout Fishing

6 Stocked Waters
0 Delayed Harvest
6,760 Fish Stocked (2026)
Mar–Jun Peak Season

Cherokee County anchors the southwestern corner of North Carolina, bordered by Georgia to the south and Tennessee to the north — as far from the High Country as you can get and still be in WNC. Six hatchery-supported waters receive 6,760 fish in 2026, anchored by the Valley River's 24-mile stocked corridor through Murphy. The Hiwassee River drainage defines this county's watershed character — big, slow-moving river water that's a contrast to the tight freestone streams of the northern mountains. Apalachia Lake adds a unique late-season option with a single December brown trout stocking on a 1,100-acre TVA reservoir. No Delayed Harvest fisheries, but the Valley River's length and the county's remoteness from the rest of the WNC trout circuit means pressure stays manageable through the season.

Apalachia Lake — TVA Reservoir · December Stocking · Brown Trout Only
A Different Kind of Trout Fishery

Apalachia Lake is a 1,100-acre TVA reservoir on the Hiwassee River — one of the largest stocked waters in the WNC trout program and the only water in Cherokee County that stocks in December. Brown trout only, 1,400 fish in a single December event. This is stillwater fishing on a reservoir scale, which is a completely different experience from the county's stream fisheries. Access and regulations on TVA-managed water may differ from standard NCWRC waters — always verify current access and rules before fishing.

Key Facts

1,100 acres · Brown trout only · Single stocking event: December 6–12 · 1,400 fish annually · TVA reservoir on the Hiwassee River · No brook or rainbow trout stocked

Always verify current access, regulations, and stocking status at ncwildlife.gov and tva.com before fishing.
🟢 Hatchery Supported Streams & Lakes
All waters hatchery supported · Open to all legal tackle · 7 trout/day creel limit · No size limit · Always verify at ncwildlife.gov
Hatchery Valley River SR 1359 to US 19 Business Bridge in Murphy · 24 miles · 1,800 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown · March & May
▾
Longest Stocked Stream in Cherokee County

At 24 miles, the Valley River is the longest stocked stream in Cherokee County and the backbone of the county's trout program. The stocked section runs from SR 1359 all the way downstream to the US 19 Business Bridge in Murphy — covering a wide range of water character along the way and passing through some of the most accessible river corridor in the county. The Valley River is a Hiwassee River tributary that drains the heart of Cherokee County before joining the main stem near Murphy.

Stream / Section Miles GPS
Valley River — SR 1359 to US 19 Business Bridge in Murphy Twenty-four miles from SR 1359 upstream to the US 19 Business Bridge in Murphy. The Valley River is one of the larger rivers in the WNC trout program — wider, slower, and more open than the tight freestone streams of the northern mountains. 1,800 fish stocked annually in March and May. All three species. The river's length means fish distribute widely after a stocking event — anglers who explore beyond the Murphy access points near the US 19 Bridge will find less competition mid-corridor. Good road access along much of the stocked section via the river valley roads. 24.0 mi 35.0900, -84.0200 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 360 360 180 900
May 360 360 180 900
Annual Total 720 720 360 1,800
2026 Stocking Weeks
March May

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Cherokee County District 9 · NCWRC 2026 Weekly Hatchery Supported Stocking Schedule. Stocking months confirmed (March and May) — specific weeks unconfirmed. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Junaluska Creek Ashturn Creek to Valley River · 6 miles · 1,000 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown · March & May
▾
Stream / Section Miles GPS
Junaluska Creek — Ashturn Creek to Valley River Six miles from the Ashturn Creek confluence upstream boundary downstream to the Valley River confluence. Junaluska Creek is a significant Valley River tributary with one of the higher fish counts among the county's stream fisheries — 1,000 fish annually in March and May. The Valley River confluence at the lower end creates a productive holding zone post-stocking. All three species. A good option to pair with a Valley River trip given the proximity of the lower confluence. 6.0 mi 35.1200, -84.0500 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 200 200 100 500
May 200 200 100 500
Annual Total 400 400 200 1,000
2026 Stocking Weeks
March May

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Cherokee County District 9 · NCWRC 2026 Weekly Hatchery Supported Stocking Schedule. Stocking months confirmed (March and May) — specific weeks unconfirmed. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Shuler Creek Joe Brown Hwy SR 1325 Bridge to Tennessee State Line · 3.9 miles · 1,000 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown · March & May
▾
State Line Water — Tennessee Border at the Upper Boundary

Shuler Creek's stocked section runs from the Joe Brown Highway SR 1325 Bridge all the way to the Tennessee state line — meaning the upper end of this fishery is literally the NC/TN border. NC regulations apply throughout the stocked section. Always verify boundary locations before fishing the upper reach near the state line.

Stream / Section Miles GPS
Shuler Creek — Joe Brown Hwy SR 1325 Bridge to Tennessee State Line 3.9 miles from the Joe Brown Highway SR 1325 Bridge upstream to the Tennessee state line. Shuler Creek drains the remote northwestern corner of Cherokee County near the Nantahala National Forest. 1,000 fish stocked annually in March and May — a solid count for a nearly 4-mile section. All three species. Joe Brown Highway provides access at the lower boundary. The state line upper boundary adds a bit of novelty — as far north and west as you can fish in NC trout country. 3.9 mi 35.2200, -84.1500 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 200 200 100 500
May 200 200 100 500
Annual Total 400 400 200 1,000
2026 Stocking Weeks
March May

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Cherokee County District 9 · NCWRC 2026 Weekly Hatchery Supported Stocking Schedule. Stocking months confirmed (March and May) — specific weeks unconfirmed. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Davis Creek Confluence of Bald & Dockery Creek to Hanging Dog Creek · 6 miles · 1,200 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown · March & May
▾
Stream / Section Miles GPS
Davis Creek — Confluence of Bald & Dockery Creek to Hanging Dog Creek Six miles from the confluence of Bald and Dockery Creek downstream to Hanging Dog Creek. Davis Creek is one of the higher-stocked stream fisheries in the county at 1,200 fish annually. The Bald and Dockery Creek confluence at the upper boundary and Hanging Dog Creek at the lower end bracket a solid mid-county corridor. All three species stocked in March and May — confirmed May stocking week of May 10–16. 6.0 mi 35.0600, -84.0800 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 240 240 120 600
May 240 240 120 600
Annual Total 480 480 240 1,200
2026 Stocking Weeks
March May 10 – May 16

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Cherokee County District 9 · NCWRC 2026 Weekly Hatchery Supported Stocking Schedule. March stocking week unconfirmed — May stocking confirmed week of May 10–16. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Hyatt Creek Big Dam Branch to Valley River · 2.8 miles · 360 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown · March & May
▾
Stream / Section Miles GPS
Hyatt Creek — Big Dam Branch to Valley River 2.8 miles from Big Dam Branch downstream to the Valley River confluence. Hyatt Creek is the lightest-stocked stream fishery in Cherokee County at 360 fish annually — the lowest count of the five streams. At that density across 2.8 miles, this is best fished in the days immediately following the March or May stocking event. The Valley River confluence at the lower end is worth targeting; fresh fish from both waters will stage at the junction. All three species stocked. 2.8 mi 35.1000, -84.0300 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 80 80 20 180
May 80 80 20 180
Annual Total 160 160 40 360
2026 Stocking Weeks
March May

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Cherokee County District 9 · NCWRC 2026 Weekly Hatchery Supported Stocking Schedule. Stocking months confirmed (March and May) — specific weeks unconfirmed. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Apalachia Lake Entire Lake · 1,100 acres · 1,400 fish annually · Brown trout only · December
▾
December Stocking Only · Brown Trout Only · TVA Reservoir

Apalachia Lake stocks once per year in December — not during the spring stocking window. Brown trout only, no brook or rainbow trout stocked. As a TVA-managed reservoir, access and on-the-water regulations may differ from standard NCWRC stream fisheries. Verify current TVA access conditions and NCWRC regulations before your trip.

Water / Section Size GPS
Apalachia Lake — Entire Lake A 1,100-acre TVA reservoir on the Hiwassee River, stocked once annually in December with brown trout only — 1,400 fish in the confirmed week of Dec 6–12. At 1,100 acres this is by far the largest stocked water in Cherokee County and one of the largest in the entire WNC program. Reservoir fishing for fresh brown trout in December is a unique late-season opportunity that most WNC anglers overlook entirely. No brook or rainbow trout stocked. TVA manages the water level and access infrastructure — check current conditions before planning a trip. 1,100 ac 35.1500, -84.2000 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
December — — 1,400 1,400
Annual Total — — 1,400 1,400
2026 Stocking Week
Dec 6 – Dec 12

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Cherokee County District 9 · NCWRC 2026 Weekly Hatchery Supported Stocking Schedule. Brown trout only — no brook or rainbow trout stocked. Single December event — confirmed week of Dec 6–12. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Cover Every Water Type in the County

From the Valley River's 24-mile open corridor to the tight tributary water on Hyatt and Davis Creek — Cherokee County rewards versatility. Our All-Water Arsenal covers 74 guide-approved patterns across dries, nymphs, and soft hackles. One box, every water type, all season.

Shop All-Water Arsenal →
📅 2026 Stocking Calendar — Cherokee County
Verify all dates at ncwildlife.gov before your trip · Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List, District 9
Stream / Lake Type Stocking Month(s) Total Fish
Valley River HS March · May 1,800
Apalachia Lake HS December only 1,400
Davis Creek HS March · May 1,200
Junaluska Creek HS March · May 1,000
Shuler Creek HS March · May 1,000
Hyatt Creek HS March · May 360
County Total — — 6,760
Also Fishing Nearby?

Cherokee County borders some excellent trout fishing counties — each with their own stocking schedules and stream character.

About Cherokee County trout fishing: Cherokee County, NC offers 6 stocked trout waters totaling 6,760 fish in 2026. No Delayed Harvest fisheries — all waters are hatchery supported and open to all legal tackle. Waters include: Valley River (24 miles, 1,800 fish, March and May — longest stocked stream in the county), Apalachia Lake (1,100 acres, 1,400 brown trout only, December — TVA reservoir on the Hiwassee River), Davis Creek (6 miles, 1,200 fish, March and May), Junaluska Creek (6 miles, 1,000 fish, March and May), Shuler Creek (3.9 miles, 1,000 fish, March and May — runs to Tennessee state line), and Hyatt Creek (2.8 miles, 360 fish, March and May). Located near Murphy, NC in the southwestern corner of Western NC. A valid NC fishing license is required. · Data source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List, District 9 · Last updated: 2026 · Stocking dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before fishing.