Sport fishing is popular at Chatuge, both in the reservoir and in the Hiwassee River below the dam. Concrete weirs have been installed below the dam to provide a steady flow of water and to increase oxygen levels for fish and other aquatic animals. Wade fishing for trout is popular here since fish are attracted to the weirs, where food is abundant.

Chatuge is operated for many purposes, including flood control, power generation, and augmentation of water flows for navigation downstream.