Fishing

One of the biggest recreational activities in the Smokies is fishing, especially fly-fishing. Between the streams and the mountains there are not many better places to fish in the world. The feel of the water rushing past, the fun of watching the nooks and crannies of the streams for fish, for fishermen and fisherwomen it is an amazing outdoor wonderland. Along with this wonderland though there are some rules and regulations.

The fishing season in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is open year round in those areas that are open to fishing. There are over 2,000 miles of streams in the park. The park is home to one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern US. The streams in the park maintain their carrying capacity for fish most of the year so there is not a bad time to fish in the Smokies. Obviously some times are better than others but any time of year is fun. Fishing is allowed thirty minutes before sunrise up until thirty minutes after sunset.

There are several streams that are off limits for fishing:

On the North carolina side - Bear Creek where it meets Forney Creek and upstream from there. On the Tennessee side - Sams Creek from the joining of Thunderhead Prong and upstream from there. Also on the Tennessee side - Indian Flats Prong where Middle Prong Trial crosses and upstream from there. These streams are off limits for fishing in an attempt to repopulate the fish species in these streams.

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

To fish in the national park you have to have a valid fishing license from North Carolina or Tennessee. Either state is fine and you do not have to have a trout stamp in the national park boundaries to fish for trout. You can not buy a fishing permit in the park but you can get those in surrounding areas or online. Again these license rules are only for fishing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and do not apply to the surrounding areas or towns like Gatlinburg or Cherokee. Areas outside of the Smokies have their own rules and regulations. Be sure to check with local wildlife management before fishing anywhere.

When you are in the streams in the park remember that you are a guest and you want to attempt to 'leave no trace.' While there resist the temptation to move rocks around. Moving those rocks is illegal but more importantly you can disturb the habitat of countless species in the park. By moving just one rock you can effect insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians that call those streams home; you don't want to change how they interact with their environment.

Also in those streams, remember to be safe. The water is cold and can cause hypothermia. The rocks in the water are very slick and can make for a treacherous walking environment. The currents in the water move much faster than they look and sudden storms can raise the level of the water quickly. Always put your safety first. Pay attention to your environment and remember caution is the catchphrase.

There are also daily limits for what you can catch in a day. This regulations change yearly and it would be a good idea to stop by the Visitor's Center on either side of the park and get a copy of those limits before you start fishing. Remember, the park is a place of conservation and maintenance. Assist the rangers by following the rules for fishing in the park.