South Fork Holston River Fishing
Smyth and Washington counties holds this river.
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The South Fork Holston River, the short version
The South Fork Holston River is a Virginia river running through Smyth and Washington counties. From the mapped point, Marion is about 5 miles distant.
Check 2 USGS gauges for today. The trout layer marks 6 stocked reaches for catchable stocking. Trout rules differ on one section.
Virginia DWR waterbody pages, Stocked Trout Reaches and Cold Water Stream Survey layers and Boating Access Locations; USGS gauges; read November 6, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The DWR waterbody page on the South Fork Holston River
The South Fork Holston River originates in Smyth County, Virginia near the community of Sugar Grove, where it is formed by the combination of several coldwater streams. There are two different special regulation trout fishing sections within the upper portions of the river. In the largest section, only single-hook artificial lures may be used, and there is a creel limit of two fish per day and a 16-inch minimum size limit.
Finding South Fork Holston River: DWR directions
If you are not familiar with the special regulation sections of the South Fork Holston River, you can find them easily from Interstate 81 by taking exit 45 (Marion) and heading south on Highway 16 towards the community of Sugar Grove. In the community of Sugar Grove, turn right off of Highway 16 onto Teas Road.
Everything quoted here on South Fork Holston River comes from the DWR waterbody page.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Gauge numbers posted for the South Fork Holston River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| S F Holston River At Riverside, Near Chilhowie, Va | 38 cfs, 1.83 ft gage height | Nov 8 6:45 pm |
| S F Holston River Near Damascus, Va | 123 cfs, 2.47 ft gage height | Nov 8 6:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 8, 2026 7:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
At South Fork Holston River, the panel shows unreviewed USGS data.
| USGS site | Name |
|---|---|
| 03471500 | S F HOLSTON RIVER AT RIVERSIDE, NEAR CHILHOWIE, VA |
| 03473000 | S F HOLSTON RIVER NEAR DAMASCUS, VA |
USGS instantaneous values, provisional.
What swims in the South Fork Holston River, per DWR
Every fish shown for South Fork Holston River has a DWR source.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Launch sites on the South Fork Holston River
There is no DWR ramp on South Fork Holston River; check landowner rules before wading.
More DWR launches near South Fork Holston River
- Hungry Mother State ParkHungry Mother Lake, 8 miles north
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations layer (attributes as recorded; lanes, fees and hours are not in the layer), read November 6, 2026.
Stocking category and reaches on the South Fork Holston River
| Reach | Locality | Category | Species stocked | Heritage Day | National forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork Holston River Lower C | Smyth | A (stocked 8 times between October 1 and May 31) | rainbow, brown | ||
| South Fork Holston River Lower A | Smyth | A (stocked 8 times between October 1 and May 31) | rainbow, brown | ||
| South Fork Holston River | Smyth | SR | rainbow, brown | ||
| South Fork Holston River Lower B | Smyth | A (stocked 8 times between October 1 and May 31) | rainbow, brown | ||
| South Fork Holston River | Smyth | SR | rainbow, brown | ||
| South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | Smyth | A (stocked 8 times between October 1 and May 31) | rainbow | yes |
DWR codes 6 reaches of South Fork Holston River as category A and SR. National forest reaches appear here.
Virginia DWR Stocked Trout Reaches and Stocked Trout Lakes layers (category, species, heritage day), read November 6, 2026.
Trout rules that differ on the South Fork Holston River
| Water | Locality as printed | Regulation | Trout license Oct 1 to Jun 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork Holston River | Smyth | 16 inch / 2 per day | |
| South Fork Holston River | Smyth | Catch and Release |
- 16-inch Minimum, 2 Fish Per Day: South Fork Holston River (Smyth County)This section includes approximately 4 miles of stream extending from 500 feet above the concrete dam at Buller Fish Hatchery, upstream to the upper Jefferson National Forest boundary (above the crossing of the Appalachian Trail). This section is located South of Marion and west of the community of Sugar Grove off Route 16. Anglers can access most of this section from Route 670.
- Catch and Release Only: South Fork Holston River (Smyth County)That portion of stream from the concrete dam at Buller Fish Hatchery downstream to the lower boundary of the Buller Fish Hatchery. Access can be gained through the Buller Fish Hatchery property off Route 650, south of Marion.
- 16-inch Minimum, 2 Fish Per Day: South Fork Holston River (Smyth County)This section includes approximately 4 miles of stream extending from 500 feet above the concrete dam at Buller Fish Hatchery, upstream to the upper Jefferson National Forest boundary (above the crossing of the Appalachian Trail). This section is located South of Marion and west of the community of Sugar Grove off Route 16. Anglers can access most of this section from Route 670.
Special regulation trout waters as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Designated stocked trout waters require a trout license October 1 to June 15; urban waters November 1 to April 30 (as printed).
When DWR hatchery trout reached the South Fork Holston River
| Date | Water as listed | Category | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Lower) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| October 2, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| May 26, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Lower) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| May 22, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| April 24, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| April 22, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Lower) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| April 10, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Lower) | A | Brook Trout, Tiger Trout |
| April 9, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| March 25, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| March 19, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Lower) | A | Brown Trout |
| March 6, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Buller Dam) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| March 3, 2026 | South Fork Holston River (Lower) | A | Rainbow Trout |
Stocking dates per season on South Fork Holston River: 2026-27 2 dates; 2025-26 16 dates; 2024-25 16 dates; 2023-24 16 dates.
Virginia DWR trout stocking schedule (date, county, water, category and species as listed; DWR prints no numbers or sizes), read November 6, 2026.
Digest size and creel, South Fork Holston River
| Species as printed | Applies to | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Alabama, Spotted Bass | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | statewide | 4 per day in the aggregate | No fish less than 20 inches |
| Striped Bass | Anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and Crane Lake (City of Suffolk) | Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal waters | no length limit printed |
| Striped Bass | Striped bass in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back Bay | No possession | no length limit printed |
| Walleye, Saugeye | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate | No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches |
| Sauger | statewide | 2 per day | No statewide length limits |
| White Bass | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Muskellunge | statewide | 1 per day | No muskellunge less than 40 inches |
| Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye) and Roanoke Bass | statewide | 50 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Crappie (black or white) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Rock Bass (redeye) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with Roanoke bass | No statewide length limits |
| Roanoke Bass | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass | No statewide length limits |
| Perch (yellow and white) | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Trout | statewide | 6 per day | 7 inch minimum size |
| Channel, White, and Flathead | statewide | 20 per day | No length limits |
| Blue | statewide | 20 per day | No statewide length limits |
The statewide digest rows above apply on South Fork Holston River unless an exception names it.
- The South Fork Holston River is managed primarily for trout, and different sets of regulations are used in different sections of the river to provide anglers with a variety of opportunities.
- Upper Section
- The upper-river portion is an approximate 4-mile special regulation area controlled by the following regulations (this is how the sign reads):
- Special Regulation Area
- Only Artificial Lures with single hook may be used in these waters.
- Creel Limit – 2 trout/day
- Minimum size – 16 inches
- Fishing must cease when creel limit is obtained.
- Lower Section
- – (Buller Fish Cultural Station Section)
- Special Regulation Area
- Only Artificial Lures with single hook may be used in these waters.
- Catch and Release Only
- All trout must be immediately released.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Designated stocked trout waters also need the $23 trout license from October 1 to June 15.
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026. Virginia license fees in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (licenses run one year from purchase unless noted), read November 6, 2026.
Heaviest Virginia fish from the South Fork Holston River
| Species | Weight as printed | Date | Water as listed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | 14 lbs. 12 oz. | 5-24-1990 | South Fork, Holston |
State Record Freshwater Fish as of 9-2-2025 (keeper: Virginia DWR (State Record Freshwater Fish list as of 9-2-2025); angler names left off here), read November 6, 2026.
Five Virginia streams close to the South Fork Holston River
| Stream | Distance | DWR access sites | USGS gauges | Stocked reaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork Holston River | this stream | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Comers Creek | 3 miles southeast | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Hurricane Creek | 4 miles southeast | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Staley Creek | 5 miles northeast | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dickey Creek | 6 miles east | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cressy Creek | 9 miles east | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations and Stocked Trout Reaches, USGS gauges; read November 6, 2026.
Around South Fork Holston River, within a Virginia drive
Other Virginia reservoirs close to South Fork Holston River
- Hungry Mother Lake8 miles
- Beartree Lake11 miles
- Hales Lake16 miles
- Rural Retreat Lake16 miles
Where to buy bait before South Fork Holston River
- Virginia Creeper Fly-Fishingbait and tackle shop, Abingdon, 22 miles
- Bottom Dwellers Tackle Incbait and tackle shop, Cedar Bluff, 23 miles
- Sportsman Marinamarina, Abingdon
Virginia towns close to South Fork Holston River
- Marion5 miles, Smyth County
- Chilhowie9 miles, Smyth County
- Glade Spring13 miles, Washington County
The localities South Fork Holston River runs through
- Smyth Countycounty seat Marion
- Washington Countycounty seat Abingdon
Other Virginia rivers near the South Fork Holston River
- Comers Creek3 miles
- Hurricane Creek4 miles
- Staley Creek5 miles
- Dickey Creek6 miles
- Cressy Creek9 miles
Piscifun spinning gear for a day out on South Fork Holston River
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Shorelines around South Fork Holston River through a camera
Photo: Jason Riedy, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jason Riedy, CC BY 2.0
Questions on the South Fork Holston River before the truck is loaded
Where does the South Fork Holston River flow in Virginia?
Look in Smyth and Washington counties, about 5 miles from Marion.
Where do floats start on the South Fork Holston River?
No DWR site; Hungry Mother State Park lies about 8 miles off.
Which fish does DWR name in the South Fork Holston River?
DWR names brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, brook trout and tiger trout.
Is the South Fork Holston River trout water?
The trout layer marks 6 reaches, category A and SR. Designated stocked trout waters require a trout license October 1 to June 15; urban waters November 1 to April 30 (as printed).
Which bass rule applies on the South Fork Holston River?
The statewide digest row for largemouth and smallmouth bass reads: 5 per day in the aggregate (combined); No statewide length limits.
Does a freshwater license cover the South Fork Holston River?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Designated stocked trout waters also need the $23 trout license from October 1 to June 15. No license is needed under 16.
Is there a live gauge on the South Fork Holston River?
2 USGS gauges report it above.
Which shop is on the way to the South Fork Holston River?
Stop at Virginia Creeper Fly-Fishing (about 22 miles away).
Which Virginia record row names the South Fork Holston River?
Brown Trout, 14 lbs. 12 oz., 1990, is on the DWR record list for this water (no angler names here).
Strap the kayak down for the South Fork Holston River
Check the digest before you go.