With a guide
Guides and charters near Gray’s Ferry
Captains who run Hiwassee River, with their own phone numbers. You call and book with them directly.
Southeastern Anglers
Rainbow and brown trout, stripersCall 866-558-7688southeasternanglers.com
R and R Fly Fishing
Rainbow, brown and brook trout, smallmouthCall 865-448-0467randrflyfishing.com
What to bring
Tackle for Gray’s Ferry
Three picks from the largemouth bass checklist that work for the fish here. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:
How to get there
Getting to Gray’s Ferry
Gray’s Ferry is a public access point on Hiwassee River in Bradley County, Tennessee, run by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
From I75 to Hwy 308 west 4 miles; right to Hwy 306; 1 mile to Ead’s Bluff Rd; 2 miles, ramp on right
Gray’s Ferry is 13 miles north of Cleveland, the nearest town with its own page here. The closest other public access is Price’s Creek East on Chickamauga Lake, 1.1 miles to the north. For bait, FishTales Bait and Tackle in Cleveland is about 8 miles away.
Coordinates 35.34429, -84.85335
What you can catch
Fish you can catch at Gray’s Ferry
Hiwassee River holds these, according to the county research behind this site and TWRA’s own species notes.
The first river in Tennessee designated a State Scenic River. Its character is set by the Apalachia Powerhouse, which sits miles downstream of Apalachia Dam and dumps the river’s flow in at one point, so the water above and below the powerhouse are effectively different rivers.
What you can keep
Fishing limits at Gray’s Ferry
What you can keep from Hiwassee River at Gray’s Ferry. TWRA sets 1 rule just for Hiwassee River. They replace the statewide limit for those fish. Everything else follows the statewide limit.
| Fish | Daily limit | Length | Where or when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout | No harvest Oct 1–Feb 28; 7 Mar 1–Sep 30 (only 2 brown) | No length limit | Apalachia Powerhouse to L&N Railroad Bridge. Delayed harvest Oct 1–Feb 28: catch and release, artificial lures only, no bait |
| Largemouth bass | 5 black bass combined | No minimum | Statewide |
| Smallmouth bass | 5 black bass combined | No minimum | Statewide |
| Flathead catfish | No limit under 34 in | Only one over 34 in | Statewide |
From the 2026–27 Tennessee Fishing Guide (TWRA), in effect 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, checked 25 September 2026. Rules change, so check the guide before you keep a fish.
2 public boat launches in Bradley County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.
Next one along
More Hiwassee River access near Gray’s Ferry
The closest other public access points on Hiwassee River, measured straight line from Gray’s Ferry. Each one opens its own page with directions.
Other water close by
Other fishing near Gray’s Ferry
Public access on other water within 20 miles of Gray’s Ferry, including Chickamauga Lake and Candies Creek. Handy when the wind is wrong on Hiwassee River or the ramp is busy.
Gray’s Ferry water holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie.
Bait on the way
Bait and tackle near Gray’s Ferry
The closest shops to Gray’s Ferry that this site has checked. FishTales Bait and Tackle in Cleveland is nearest, about 8 miles away. Call ahead in winter, when smaller shops cut their hours.
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Where to next
Around Gray’s Ferry
Gray’s Ferry is one access point. These pages cover the rest of the water and the rest of the county.