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Watauga Lake is the first reservoir in the TVA chain and has one of
the largest earth-filled dams in the United States. The lake is 17
miles long, and has depths of over 300 feet. The TVA and the US
Forest Service own more than half of the 106 miles of shoreline.
Most of the developed recreational facilities are located along the
southern shore. Boating is the big activity, and boats of every
description can be seen-- houseboats, pontoon boats, bass boats,
cabin cruisers, sailboats and sleek ski-boats. Six full service
commercial marinas take care of the needs of boaters and fishermen,
including boat rentals and storage.
“Blue Ridge Country” magazine readers voted Watauga as the best
fishing lake in the area. There are 13 species of game fish
including rainbow and brown trout, bluegill, walleye, and smallmouth
and largemouth bass. An aggressive stocking program maintains the
trout population. From mid-summer through fall fishermen troll the
deep waters to catch record-size rainbow trout. Fishermen—the good
news is that some of the best trout fishing is during the winter
months when trophy-size rainbow and lake trout cruise in the shallow
water near the shore.
The Forest Service has provided some excellent public facilities.
There’s Watauga Point Recreation Area and the Shook Branch
Recreation Area, where the Appalachian Trail crosses US 321.
Carden's Bluff Campground, with toilets and showers, has the lake’s
only public beach. There are 42 campsites, some overlooking the
lake, and each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern ring.
A few sites are suitable for small to medium-sized trailers, but
accessibility is limited, and all are available on a first-come,
first-serve basis. The entrance gate is locked from 10 p.m. until 7
a.m. A boat ramp is located ½ mile west of the campground. Watauga
Dam Overlook offers a breath-taking view of the water, and it’s just
a short walk to view the earthen dam.
If you’re going:
It’s 125 miles from Mooresville. Because of the mountain roads it’s
about a three-hour drive, one way. Watauga Lake is located east of
Elizabethton and southwest of Mountain City, TN. From Statesville
take exit 51B onto I-40 West, at Hickory take US 321 North through
Boone, and toward Elizabethton/Hampton, TN. You’ll see the lake once
you cross the Elk River. For more information about Watauga Lake's
public facilities, contact the Cherokee National Forest Public
Affairs office at (423) 476-9700; each of the public areas has a $3
per vehicle fee. Some of the commercial establishments are Fish
Springs Marina, Hampton, 423-768-2336 and Mallard Cove Marina &
Campsite, Butler, 423-768-3440. In addition to its marina, Lakeshore
Resort & Marina has a motel and restaurant, 423-725-2223. Mountain
Lake Wilderness Resort rents vacation log cabins year-round,
423-768-3030.
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