The Clinch tailwaters flow 13 miles from Norris Dam, at River Mile 80, to Highway 61 Bridge in Clinton, Tennessee, at River Mile 67 and can be accessed at several locations.
Bill Dance explains where and how top fishermen coax large fish onto their hooks. 301 South Gay Street,
*Elevations are in feet above sea level.
River Place on the Clinch is a model sustainable development enterprise owned by the Clinch Powell Resource Conservation and Development Council, a 501c3 not for profit organization and equal opportunity employer and provider. Anglers looking to fly fish on the Clinch would do well to use a Clinch River fly fishing guide for their first time. This website uses cookies and other like technologies for measurement, ads and optimization. Get exclusive stories delivered right to your inbox.Check your email — trip inspiration will be hitting your inbox soon.Check your email — trip inspiration will be hitting your inbox soon.Tap “Add to Trip” on anything you like. TVA has done pioneering tailwater enhancement work on the Clinch to address low flow and dissolved oxygen (DO) problems. Follow the water to these Made in Tennessee spots.Bring a stealthy approach, delicate presentation and small flies to the Clinch River, one of America's premier trout streams. Named for an otherwise forgotten explorer, the Clinch River played a major role in the exploration and settlement of southwestern Virginia. The Clinch River is known as a premier trout fishery, and is home to rainbow, brown and brook trout! The average trout there will be 11 to 12 inches in length, so you can look forward to the possibility of a big catch! Want to know more? The Clinch River is Tennessee’s oldest trout tailwater. Lined with sycamores and silver maples, the Clinch River's wide waterway flows southwest from Tazewell, Virginia through the Great Appalachian Valley down to Kingston, just west of Knoxville, where it joins the Tennessee River. Until the early 1980s, the Clinch tailwater was a mediocre trout fishery, severely affected by low minimum flows and low DO. The river flows from the base of 265 foot high Norris Dam. Recreation awaits you on Norris Lake with over 800 miles of shoreline, pristine water and fun for the whole family! The Clinch River is home to 40 varieties of freshwater mussels and 19 rare fish species. Lined with sycamores and silver maples, the Clinch River's wide waterway flows southwest from Tazewell, Virginia through the Great Appalachian Valley down to Kingston, just west of Knoxville, where it joins the Tennessee River. By continuing to browse this site, you're accepting the use of cookies. There are several primitive launching areas for canoes or small boats and three developed launching areas managed by TWRA.
Use your mobile device to follow trails they’ve mapped across the region, and post your own species sightings, contributing to the database as a citizen scientist. Public access along the river is primarily limited to bridge crossings and small pull-offs along roads that parallel the river. The extremely deep lake is what keeps the water cold that flows from the base of the dam. The Clinch River is home to 40 varieties of freshwater mussels and 19 rare fish species.
Early settlers made their homes along its eastern shore, while others crossed the formidable flow and explored the wilderness beyond; Daniel Boone among them. Recreation awaits you on Norris Lake with over 800 miles of shoreline, pristine water and fun for the whole family! Then it’s easy to share, send or save your perfect Tennessee vacation.The Clinch River is one of America’s premier trout streams. Fishing on the Clinch is good year-round but it is great in late winter, early spring and late fall, early winter. Try these popular ideas in and around Norris. The Clinch River, which was named after on otherwise forgotten explorer, played a major role in the exploration and settlement of Southwest Virginia. When turbines are turned on and the flow reaches 700 - 800 cfs, most wade fishermen start heading for shore. unique American stories told every day through Appalachian arts and crafts, preserved buildings and sites, historic town squares and the tales of legendary characters.Sign up to receive trip ideas and inspiration from Tennessee Tourism.Check your email — trip inspiration will be hitting your inbox soon. If you plan on wading, be sure to check the water release schedule at All public access points can be reached in 5 to minutes from exit 122 (Clinton/Norris). Still exploring? River Place on the Clinch • 2788 Highway 70, Kyles Ford, TN 37765 • Local: 423-733-4400 • Toll Free: 877-483-7211.
The state record brown trout was caught on the Clinch, so you have a good chance of taking home a record-breaking fish. Minimum flow (when the turbines are off and the only flow is that which enters from tributaries and leakage from the dam) in the Clinch is about 200 - 300 cfs.
The King of Bluegrass, waterfalls and lore can be found in the rolling hill country of Hancock County. The Clinch also contains assorted rough fish, and spin fishers take walleye and striped bass.
