Fishing the Chattahoochee Below Buford Dam: Release Times, Access Points & River Safety
If you fly fish the Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam, there is one thing you need to understand before worrying about flies, tippet, or where the fish are holding:
The river can change fast.
The Chattahoochee tailwater is one of the best trout fisheries in Georgia, but water released from Buford Dam can raise the river quickly and create strong currents. A spot that was easy to wade earlier in the day may not stay that way.
Whether you're wading, floating, or fishing from a boat, checking the Buford Dam generation schedule should be part of every trip.
There Is No Simple Daily Buford Dam Release Time
One of the biggest misconceptions about fishing below Buford Dam is that water is released at the same time every day.
It isn't that simple.
Water conditions below the dam are influenced by hydroelectric generation, and the release schedule can change. Before heading to the river, check the current Buford Dam release schedule rather than relying on something you heard last week or a schedule saved on your phone.
The National Park Service directs river users to check the current schedule or call 770-945-1466 or 1-855-DAM-FLOW (1-855-326-3569). National Park Service
This matters even if you're several miles downstream. A release takes time to move through the river, but eventually that water is coming your way.
How Long Does a Buford Dam Release Take to Reach You?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes approximate travel times for water released from Buford Dam. These are useful for trip planning, but they should never replace checking actual river conditions.
LocationMiles Below DamApprox. Arrival After ReleaseLower Pool / Buford Dam0.2Less than 15 minGA 20 Bridge2.530 min–1 hrSettles Bridge4.745 min–1 hr 30 minMcGinnis Ferry8.51 hr 45 min–2 hrRogers Bridge11.42 hr 30 min–3 hr 15 minAbbotts Bridge13.03 hr 15 min–4 hr 30 minMedlock Bridge17.53 hr 30 min–4 hr 45 minJones Bridge19.63 hr 45 min–6 hrGarrard Landing22.95 hr 15 min–7 hr 30 minIsland Ford27.76 hr 30 min–8 hr 45 minGA 400 Bridge29.98 hr–11 hr 45 min
Those times are approximate. Weather, existing river levels, and the amount of water being released can all affect conditions. SAM.gov
For example, if generation starts at 8:00 a.m., the river at McGinnis Ferry could begin rising roughly around 9:45–10:00 a.m. At Jones Bridge, that same water may not arrive until sometime between roughly 11:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
That delay is one reason anglers downstream can sometimes get caught off guard.
Chattahoochee River Access Below Buford Dam
There are numerous access points as you move downstream through the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Starting near Buford Dam and moving downstream, major access areas and landmarks include Lower Pool Park, GA 20, Settles Bridge, McGinnis Ferry, Rogers Bridge, Abbotts Bridge, Medlock Bridge, Jones Bridge, Garrard Landing, Island Ford, and eventually the GA 400 area.
Not every access point offers the same amenities or type of launch. Some are better suited for wading, while others provide access for canoes, kayaks, rafts, or boats. Conditions and closures can also change, so check the current NPS information before building a float around a particular put-in or take-out. National Park Service
Don't Judge the River by What It Looks Like When You Arrive
This is especially important for wade fishermen.
You may pull into a parking lot, walk down to the river, and find beautiful low water. Two hours later, that same stretch can look completely different.
The National Park Service warns that rapid changes in flow can sweep a wading angler off his feet, push boats into hazards, or strand people on islands. National Park Service
When we're planning a day on the river, we want to know what the water is doing now and what it's going to do while we're out there.
That second part is what matters.
Know the Recommended Flow Rates
Flow is measured in cubic feet per second, or CFS.
The National Park Service publishes maximum recommended flows for different river activities. Tubing is recommended below 2,500 CFS, canoes, kayaks, rowing craft and stand-up paddleboards below 4,000 CFS, and rafts below 5,000 CFS. Guided fishing and rafting trips are listed below 8,000 CFS, and NPS does not recommend water-based recreation when flows exceed 8,000 CFS. National Park Service
Those numbers aren't a substitute for judgment. A flow that may be manageable from a properly equipped boat can be completely inappropriate for wading.
For wade fishing, we want low, stable water with plenty of time before any scheduled release reaches our section of river.
The Chattahoochee Is Cold
There is another hazard that's easy to underestimate in Georgia: water temperature.
Water coming through Buford Dam is pulled from deep in Lake Lanier. The Corps reports water released at the dam generally runs around 44–58°F year-round. SAM.gov
That feels pretty good to a trout.
It doesn't feel nearly as good when you've been unexpectedly knocked over in waders.
Cold-water immersion can quickly turn an inconvenience into an emergency, even when the air temperature outside is 90 degrees.
PFD Rules Below Buford Dam
Between Buford Dam and the GA 20 bridge, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device must be worn while boating, tubing, or wading.
On other portions of the Chattahoochee within the National Recreation Area, appropriate PFD requirements still apply to watercraft, and wearing one is a good idea regardless of whether the regulation requires it at that particular location. Commercial Use Authorization
If you're fishing close to the dam, don't treat a life jacket as optional gear sitting in the truck.
Know the Fishing Regulations
The Chattahoochee from Buford Dam downstream through the recreation area is managed as trout water, and special regulations apply.
One of the most important rules for fly anglers is the artificial-lures-only section from GA Highway 20 downstream to the Medlock Bridge Unit boat ramp immediately upstream of GA Highway 141. National Park Service
Fishing within the park is permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, and night fishing is prohibited. Anglers should also make sure they have the appropriate Georgia fishing license and trout privileges required for them. National Park Service
Regulations change, so check the current Georgia DNR regulations before fishing rather than treating any blog post—including this one—as your permanent rulebook.
A Better Way to Plan Your Day on the Hooch
Before I head to the Chattahoochee, I want to know three things: when Buford Dam is generating, how long that water should take to reach the section I'm fishing, and what the current river gauge is showing.
That takes a couple of minutes and can completely change how you plan your day.
If you're new to the river, learning to fish the Hooch isn't just about figuring out whether trout want a zebra midge, pheasant tail, streamer, or dry fly.
Learning the river itself is just as important.
Respect the generation schedule. Keep an eye on the water. Give yourself an exit route when wading. And if something doesn't look right, get out.
The fish will still be there another day.
Fish the Chattahoochee With Thin Line Fly Co.
At Thin Line Fly Co., we guide fly-fishing trips across North Georgia, including the Chattahoochee River.
Whether you're brand new to fly fishing or want to spend a day learning the Hooch, our goal is pretty simple: help you become a better, more confident angler while enjoying one of Georgia's best fisheries.
Tight Lines. Steady Minds.
Thin Line Fly Co.
