If you live in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia, you already know that Bristol has long been a popular destination for anglers. And it’s not just during warmer weather that fishing is a big draw in this area.

Cold weather months bring anglers to Bristol too, which is why it has been named one of the Top 10 Winter Fishing Destinations by FishingBooker.com.

Bristol was the only location named to the list in either Tennessee and Virginia and is in some pretty impressive company that includes:

– Kenai, Alaska
– Morro Bay, California
– South Padre Island, Texas
– Lincoln City, Oregon
– Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, Alabama
– Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico
– Miami, Florida
– Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania
– Bozeman, Montana.

The article focuses on South Holston River and Lake and highlights Bristol’s many attributes, and reads in part:

Outdoor enthusiasts will love this one. Right on the state line of Tennessee and Virginia and lies the city of Bristol that has easy access to some of the best fisheries in the Southeast. With the South Holston River and Lake a stone’s throw away, there’s an array of opportunities at your fingertips.

South Holston River is known for its fly fishing action far and wide. Its cold water are home to feisty Trout year-round and fly anglers make the most of it. Rainbows, Brooks, and Browns are all on the menu. There’s even a saying that this river has almost 10,000 Brown Trout per its every mile. And your backdrop? A stunning national forest.

If you prefer calmer waters for your fishing escapades, South Holston Lake is but a short drive away from Bristol. Here, you can hook into the likes of Bass, Walleye, Carp, Pike, and Muskellunge. You can also try fishing with a Damiki rig, which is a staple in the area.

From Bristol, you can take on the Cherokee National Forest on foot, if you’re in need of some alone time in nature. You can also visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and take a break from all the hustle and bustle.

We appreciate the folks at FishingBooker.com for including Bristol on their Top 10 Winter Fishing Destinations list and look forward to welcoming new anglers to the area!