Fish

A brook trout
Brook trout are one of three trout species in the Smokies.

NPS

 
 
Three rangers take measurements of fish around a white bucket in the forest.
The fisheries team sampling native brook trout.

Brittany Spikowski

Fish in the Smokies

The Smokies is home to over 70 species of fish from 12 different families, as well as more than 900 species of aquatic invertebrates, including 14 new to science species discovered in the park. Since 1986, biologist, have monitored fish populations in both high elevation (>3,000 feet) and low elevation (<2,500 feet) streams within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Biologist have successfully surveyed 29 of the 38 park watersheds, covering a total of 2,385 miles, which is roughly 82% of the park's total 2,900 miles of streams.

Most of the park’s larger streams originate as springs along the Appalachian Trail, which runs along the crest of the Smokies. As the streams travel down the mountainside, they are joined with other streams to form larger waterways. In the high elevation streams, characteristics include steep gradients, significant shade, and rushing cascades, of which brook trout dominate. Conversely, the lower elevation streams feature gentler gradients and less shade, resulting in wider and slower-moving waterways inhabited by smallmouth bass, rock bass, shiners, minnows, suckers, and darters.

Changes in stream channels, along with differences in water chemistry, bedrock, and temperatures, affect where different fish species are found within the watershed.

 

Game Fish

In the early 1900s, significant environmental changes occurred in the park due to logging and the introduction of non-native rainbow trout, which destroyed 75% of the native brook trout's habitat. Rainbow trout out-competed brook trout by reproducing at a faster rate as well as growing faster, taking over the streams.

As a result of research and successful restoration efforts, park management reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban. A three-year study found that the breeding ability of adult brook trout remained stable with and without fishing.

Fish populations in and around the park are most heavily influenced by major floods and droughts. Long-term studies show that about 91% of anglers practice catch and release, having little effect on population dynamics in park streams. Additionally, about 64% of anglers in the Smokies are from outside the region, highlighting the park's wide appeal for fishing.
 
Brook trout swimming at bottom of stream.
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

NPS

A brown trout with a white background.
Brown Trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss)

Adam Walker

A rainbow trout hiding at the bottom of a stream.
Rainbow Trout (Salmo trutta)

NPS

Smallmouth bass swimming in a rocky stream.
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

NPS

A rock bass on a white background.
Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris)

Adam Walker

 

Game fish identification

 

Threatened and Endangered Species

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to three federally protected fish species: the citico darter, smoky madtom, and yellowfin madtom. All three species live in lower Abrams Creek, which flows from Cades Cove to the Little Tennessee River, with an upper and lower section divided by Abrams Falls. Between 1986-2001, park biologists collected these protected fish from surrounding habitats and reintroduced them into Abrams Creek. Restoration efforts have led to both madtoms and citico darters establishing reproductive populations, and now are at 90% and 100% of their former capacity. However, the stream’s isolated location is still a concern. Biologists are working to promote a healthy fish population by relocating 1-2 adults per year of each species between Abrams Creek and Citico Creek. This approach will help to move genetic material between populations, mimic historic gene transfer, and maintain genetic diversity and resilience.

 
A citico darter on a stream floor.
Citico darter (Etheostoma sitikuense); Threatened

Adam Walker

Smoky madtom hiding in stream gravel.
Smoky madtom (Noturus baileyi); Endangered

Conservation Fisheries, Inc.

Yellowfin madtom in between rocks.
Yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis); Threatened

Conservation Fisheries, Inc.

 

Species List

Get a checklist of all of the fish species in the park.
 

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Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

 

Learn More

  • A brook trout
    Fishing

    Learn more about fishing regulations in the Smokies.

  • A spring salamander which is bright orange.
    Amphibians

    Learn about the Smokies amphibians.

Last updated: September 11, 2025

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