The Green River flows from the north side of the Saluda Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, carving a spectacular path through some of the most dramatic terrain in the southern Appalachians before emptying into South Carolina's Broad River system. This medium-sized tailwater stream combines the cold, consistent flows of a dam-controlled fishery with the wild character of mountain freestone water, creating a unique and productive trout habitat.
What makes the Green River truly exceptional is its dramatic diversity. The river flows through two impoundments — Lake Summit and Lake Adger — creating three distinct fishing personalities: a wild trout section below Lake Summit Dam offering technical fishing in challenging water; a Delayed Harvest section at Fishtop providing heavily stocked catch-and-release fishing with excellent access; and the legendary Green River Gorge — one of the deepest, most rugged canyons in the East, where wild and holdover trout thrive in isolation beneath the highest bridge in North Carolina.
The Green River Gorge section is particularly noteworthy. Here, the river plunges 440 feet in just 1.5 miles, creating a whitewater paradise for kayakers and a challenging wilderness fishing experience for anglers willing to make the steep descent. The gorge is crossed by the I-26 bridge at 225 feet above the water — an engineering marvel that provides a dramatic overlook of the canyon below.
As a tailwater fishery, the Green River benefits from cold water releases from Lake Summit, keeping temperatures suitable for trout year-round even during hot summer months. However, anglers must always check dam release schedules, as water levels can rise suddenly and dramatically.
Tailwater Benefits with Wild Character
Cold water releases from Lake Summit maintain ideal trout temperatures year-round, while the river retains the structure and character of a wild mountain stream.
The Legendary Green River Gorge
One of the deepest gorges in the East (dropping 440 feet in 1.5 miles), offering remote wilderness fishing for wild trout in spectacular scenery beneath the highest bridge in North Carolina.
Excellent Delayed Harvest Section
The Fishtop section receives heavy stockings from fall through spring, providing outstanding catch-and-release fishing with good access from Green River Cove Road.
Wild Trout Opportunities
Multiple sections managed as wild trout water, including the upper section below Lake Summit and the spectacular gorge section, offering fishing for naturally reproducing browns and rainbows.
Year-Round Fishing
Unlike many North Carolina trout streams, the Green River offers year-round fishing in most sections, with cold tailwater flows keeping fish active even in summer.
Productive Tributary Fishing
Big Hungry River and Cove Creek offer additional stocked trout opportunities with reduced fishing pressure.
| Species | Seasonal Activity | Average Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Year-round | 8–14 in (stocked); 6–10 in (wild) | Abundant throughout; both stocked and wild populations |
| Brown Trout | Year-round; peak fall | 10–16 in (stocked); 10–20+ in (wild) | Wild browns in gorge section; wary holdovers in delayed harvest |
| Brook Trout | Year-round | 8–12 in | Stocked in delayed harvest section; some in upper tributaries |
| Smallmouth Bass | Spring–Fall (lower sections) | 8–14 in | Growing population below trout waters; aggressive feeders |
| Technique | When to Use | Best Target Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymphing with Indicator | Year-round | All species | Essential for delayed harvest; use weight for depth |
| Dry Fly Fishing | Spring & Fall | Rainbow, Brown | During hatches; size 14–18 most effective |
| Dry-Dropper Rigs | Spring–Fall | Rainbow, Brook | Excellent when fish are feeding subsurface |
| Streamer Fishing | Fall & Winter | Brown Trout | Work deep pools and undercut banks in gorge |
| Euro Nymphing | Year-round | Brown, Rainbow | Highly effective in faster water and pocket water |
| Spin Fishing – Small Spinners | Spring–Fall | Rainbow, Brook | Mepps, Rooster Tails (sizes 0–2) |
| Spin Fishing – Small Spoons | Year-round | Brown, Rainbow | Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants (1/8–1/4 oz) |
| Ultralight Jigs | Winter & Summer | All species | Trout Magnets, micro jigs effective in tailwater |
The Green River's tailwater character and diverse structure make it an excellent spin fishing destination. The combination of deep pools, pocket water, and moderate currents creates ideal conditions for conventional tackle.
Inline Spinners:
Small Spoons:
Soft Plastics:
Tailwater Drifting:
Cast upstream and allow lures to drift naturally with the current, maintaining just enough retrieve to keep contact. This mimics natural food drifting downstream and triggers strikes from feeding trout.
Deep Pool Fishing:
Use heavier spoons (1/4 oz) to reach bottom in deep pools. Cast upstream at 45-degree angles, let the lure sink, then retrieve slowly. Trophy browns hold in these depths.
Pocket Water:
Cast small spinners (Mepps size 0–1) into pockets behind boulders and current breaks. Allow brief sink time, then retrieve with the current. Trout ambush prey from these spots.
Season: Year-round
Regulations: Catch-and-release only
Lures: Artificial lures only, single hook
Bait: No natural bait allowed
Regulations: Catch-and-release only
Lures: Artificial lures only, single hook
Bait: No natural bait allowed
Barbless Hooks: Strongly recommended
Season Opens: 6:00 a.m. for youth under 16; 12:00 p.m. for all anglers
Creel Limit: 7 trout per day
Size Limit: None
Bait/Lure: Any legal bait or lure
Season: First Saturday in April through March 1
Creel Limit: 7 trout per day
Size Limit: None
Bait/Lure: Any legal bait or lure
| License Type | Who Needs It | Approx. Cost (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC Inland Fishing License | Residents & Non-residents 16+ | $25/year (Resident), $45/year (Non-resident) | Covers all inland waters |
| Trout Privilege License | Anyone fishing for trout | $10/year (Resident), $25/year (Non-resident) | Required for all trout waters |
Purchase Licenses:
The Green River stands as one of North Carolina's most unique and diverse trout fisheries. Combining the benefits of cold tailwater flows from Lake Summit with the wild character of mountain freestone water, the Green River offers something for every angler — from family-friendly delayed harvest fishing at Fishtop to remote wilderness adventure in the spectacular Green River Gorge.
The Fishtop Delayed Harvest section is the most popular and accessible, receiving heavy stockings from October through May and providing excellent catch-and-release fishing with good roadside access. The section flows through a beautiful valley with clear water, good structure, and consistent trout populations that keep anglers returning throughout the season.
But the Green River's true legend lies in the gorge — one of the deepest canyons in the eastern United States, where the river drops 440 feet in just 1.5 miles beneath the highest bridge in North Carolina. This remote, rugged section offers wilderness fishing for wild and holdover brown trout that can exceed 20 inches, but reaching them requires serious physical commitment and wilderness skills.
The Green River's tailwater character keeps water temperatures ideal year-round, creating one of the few North Carolina trout streams that fish well even during summer months. However, anglers must always remain vigilant about dam releases, as water levels can rise suddenly and dramatically.
Whether you're a beginner learning to fly fish at Fishtop, a spin angler working spinners through pocket water, or an experienced adventurer seeking trophy browns in the gorge, the Green River delivers exceptional fishing in spectacular southern Appalachian scenery.
Location: Polk and Henderson Counties, North Carolina
Nearest Towns: Saluda, Hendersonville, Tryon
Fishing Season: Year-round (wild trout sections); varies by section
Main Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout; Smallmouth Bass (lower sections)
Best Methods: Nymphing, dry fly fishing during hatches, spin fishing, streamers for trophy browns
Regulations: Wild Trout (upper & gorge), Delayed Harvest (Fishtop), Hatchery Supported (lower)
Special Features: Tailwater benefits, spectacular Green River Gorge, excellent delayed harvest section, year-round fishing, dramatic scenery beneath highest bridge in NC
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