Calderwood Lake
Shoreline Miles: 16
Surface Acres:
Calderwood lake forms the border between Cherokee National Forest, Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Creek Wilderness adds another border nearby The Calderwood complex graces a horseshoe bend in the river known as “The Narrows.”
Popular with anglers, fishermen can take advantage of double stocking by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, including trout, brook trout, rainbows and browns .A small portion of Calderwood is located in North Carolina, so a reciprocal agreement between the states allows anglers licensed by either state to fish the entire reservoir by boat. They may also fish in that portion of Slickrock Creek which constitutes the boundary between the two states. Those wishing to bank fish must possess a valid license from the state land they are fishing from.
Chilhowee Lake
Shoreline Miles: 20 miles
Surface Acres: 1,747 acres
Just upstream, Chilhowee Lake is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest. Calderwood Reservoir is upstream of Chilhowee and Tellico Reservoir is downstream. The Lake is more river like, with a shallow, narrow twisted route ideally suited for paddling, float fishing, and bank fishing.
The primary game fish are trout and bass Trout are stocked on an annual basis and thrive in the cool clear water. A series of campsites have been installed for kayakers and canoeists paddling the Little Tennessee River.
The Dam and Powerhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The remains of early settlements of Overhill Cherokee villages have been inundated, but paddlers can explore. One great trip is paddling from the Chota Memorial in Vonore.
Nearby towns include Tellico Plains, Townsend, Madisonville, Vonore, and Maryville. Along with fisherman, this area is very popular with bicyclists and motorcyclists who ride the beautiful Cherohala Skyway. This national scenic byway provides amazing views of the mountains and waterways. Cades Cove and Wears Valley in the “Quiet Side of the Smokies” are accessed from the Foothills Parkway.
Cherokee National Forest provides hiking and equestrian trails featuring waterfalls and canopied trails. One of the most beautiful locations is Bald Falls. The forest is also open for seasonal hunting.