With over 900 miles of rivers and clear mountain streams, the Great Smoky Mountains are a true fisherman's paradise.   Although best known for trout, the park's streams are home to almost 80 species of fish.

• Stocking
  • From April to November, rainbow trout are stocked in the Gatlinburg streams, with over 28,000 trout released into eight miles of freshwater streams and the Little Pigeon River.

• Where to Fish?
  • Popular spots
    • Abrams Creek below Cades Cove
    • Big Creek near I-40 and the Little River
    • Fontana Lake, located along the park's southern boundary, the Tennessee/North Carolina state line
      • Smallmouth bass, rock bass, rainbow and brown trout
  • In Gatlinburg
    • West Prong of the Little Pigeon River
    • LeConte Creek
    • Roaring Fork Creek
    • Dudley Creek
    • There are two designated children's fishing areas which are heavily stocked with trout:
      • North Gatlinburg Park, at the northern Parkway entrance to Gatlinburg
      • Mynatt Park off Airport Road

• Varying Regulations
  • There are different regulations for the park and the waters inside each city limits.
    • Adults must possess various combinations of local and/or state licenses, requirements vary according to age and the state of residence
    • Children under the age of nine do not require a license or permit
  • For a brochure explaining the regulations in detail, call:
    • The Gatlinburg Recreation Department at 865-436-4990
    • Gatlinburg City Hall at 865-436-1400
  • Check each city for its trout stamp requirements for fishing inside the city limits.   Only single-hook artificial lures are permitted; and fishing with any kind of bait (worms, corn, or natural bait of any kind), is strictly prohibited.   It is illegal to possess brook trout, the only native trout to the Smokies.
  • Fishing licenses and/or permits can be obtained from:
    • The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, downtown City Hall
    • Some of the local sporting goods and hardware stores
    • Fishing guide/supplies stores
    • Some of the local convenience stores
  • No fishing?
    • There is no fishing of any kind allowed in Gatlinburg on Thursdays; as this is the day that the city stocks its waters with trout.
    • Between December 1st and March 31st, all trout caught in Gatlinburg must be immediately released.

• National Park Fishing
  • A little more info on fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• Tennessee Fishing Info
  • Licenses and info on fishing in Tennessee.