freestone river · trout
Oconaluftee River (GSMNP)
Live conditions for Oconaluftee River (GSMNP): the gauge, the water temperature, the trend, and what the water is doing today — read the way a guide reads it.
Right now
194cfs→ lowcaution
Inside the wade band, but 71°F is warm for trout — mornings only · -4.9% over the last 6 hours.
Water temp71.2°F
Stage1.26 ft
Clarityclear 2.6 FNU
Engine callOFF 73°F — too warm for trout
The water
Oconaluftee River (GSMNP) is a freestone river in GSMNP, fished for trout — rainbow, brown, brook. On free-flowing water the trajectory is the story: falling and clearing after a bump is the window, rising water pushes fish to the banks and brings colour.
troutrainbow troutbrown troutbrook trout
Wade and float bands in cfs, the safety notes and the 14-day trend are on the signed-in river page.
Access
- Kephart Prong Trailhead (US-441 pull-off/bridge)walk in
- Collins Creek Picnic Areawalk in
- Smokemont Campground / Bradley Fork confluencewalk in
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center / Oconaluftee River Trailwalk in
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge crossingbridge
- Oconaluftee Islands Park (Acquoni Road)walk in
- US-441 handicap ramp (across from Paul's Restaurant)ramp
- White Water Drive Recreation Arearamp
Directions to the put-in or wade access ride on every briefing.