Big Limestone Creek Fishing Guides
A northeast Tennessee limestone creek with spring-fed flow, stocked and wild trout in its upper water and smallmouth lower down.
Guides on the Big Limestone Creek
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About the Big Limestone Creek
Big Limestone Creek rises on the flank of the Unaka range in Washington County and runs northwest through the limestone valley country to meet the Nolichucky River near the community of Limestone. The name is accurate and it explains the stream. Limestone geology means spring inflow, and spring inflow means the creek holds a steadier flow and a narrower temperature range than a purely rain-fed mountain creek of the same size, with a distinct alkalinity that supports heavier insect life and better growth rates.
The creek fishes as two different waters. The upper reaches, closer to the mountains and the springs, run cold enough for trout, and Tennessee manages trout water in this drainage with stocked rainbows and browns alongside whatever wild fish hold over. As the creek drops into the valley and warms, the fishery turns over to smallmouth bass, rock bass and sunfish, and that lower water is genuinely good smallmouth habitat, with gravel and bedrock riffles, undercut banks and enough current to keep fish aggressive.
Redbreast sunfish are a notable presence and a lot of fun on light tackle. Rock bass are everywhere there is cover. Channel catfish occupy the deeper holes, and largemouth turn up in the slowest water near the mouth. The gauge near Limestone reads discharge and stage and is the right thing to check before a visit, because the creek rises quickly after storms in the headwaters.
This is small, intimate water best fished by wading, and access depends on road crossings and landowner relations, since much of the valley frontage is farmland. Greeneville and Johnson City are both close and the Nolichucky itself is a substantial fishery immediately downstream.
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Access
Limestone - the community near the mouth and the gauge, the local reference point.
Greeneville - the county seat southwest, with lodging, fuel, food and tackle.
Johnson City - the regional city northeast with full services and fly shops.
Nolichucky River - the river the creek joins, a major smallmouth and float fishery.
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park - a park on the Nolichucky near the mouth with access.
Cherokee National Forest - public land in the headwaters to the southeast.
Little Limestone Creek - the neighbouring creek in the same valley system.
Seasons
Spring: stocked trout and rising insect activity make the upper creek the place to be.
Summer: the lower creek fishes best for smallmouth and sunfish as the valley water warms.
Fall: cooling water revives the upper trout water and smallmouth feed hard before winter.
Winter: spring inflow keeps the headwaters fishable, with trout holding in the deeper runs.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Big Limestone Creek?
As of Oct 18, 5:00 pm, the USGS gauge BIG LIMESTONE CREEK NEAR LIMESTONE, TN reads 28 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Big Limestone Creek?
Anglers target Bluegill, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Redbreast Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker on the Big Limestone Creek in Tennessee.
Where can you access the Big Limestone Creek?
Limestone - the community near the mouth and the gauge, the local reference point. Greeneville - the county seat southwest, with lodging, fuel, food and tackle. Johnson City - the regional city northeast with full services and fly shops. Nolichucky River - the river the creek joins, a major smallmouth and float fishery. Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park - a park on the Nolichucky near the mouth with access. Cherokee National Forest - public land in the headwaters to the southeast. Little Limestone Creek - the neighbouring creek in the same valley system.
When is the best time to fish the Big Limestone Creek?
Spring: stocked trout and rising insect activity make the upper creek the place to be. Summer: the lower creek fishes best for smallmouth and sunfish as the valley water warms. Fall: cooling water revives the upper trout water and smallmouth feed hard before winter. Winter: spring inflow keeps the headwaters fishable, with trout holding in the deeper runs.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Big Limestone Creek?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Tennessee agency site: https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing-regs.html