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The brook trout is the only native species of trout in the Smokies.
Bryce Gibson
Fishing in the Smokies
Each year, roughly 800,000 visitors fish for brook, brown or rainbow trout in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park boasts approximately 2,900 miles of streams, safeguarding one of the last remaining wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. While only about 20% of the park's streams are large enough to support trout populations, they provide an array of fishing experiences. Anglers can choose from remote headwater trout streams to larger, cool-water smallmouth bass streams. Most of these streams maintain their fish populations at or near carrying capacity, ensuring excellent opportunities for catching various species throughout the year.
Precautionary fish consumption advisory: The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory for smallmouth bass from Abrams Creek and the Little River. Learn more about bacteriological and fishing advisories in Tennessee.
General Requirements
You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina.
No trout stamp is required.
Fishing licenses and permits are not sold in the park. (Licenses can be purchased in surrounding towns outside the park or online.)
Special permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.
Tennessee license requirements
Residents and nonresidents 13 years of age and older must have a valid license.
Residents 65 years of age and older may obtain a special license from the state. (Note: You can buy a license from the state government of Tennessee.)
Persons under 13 years of age in Tennessee are entitled to the adult daily bag and possession limits, in addition to being subject to all other regulations.
Residents and nonresidents 16 years of age and older need a license.
Residents aged 70 and older may obtain a special license from the state. (Note: You can buy a license from the state government of North Carolina.)
Persons under 16 years of age in North Carolina are entitled to the adult daily bag and possession limits, in addition to being subject to all other regulations.
Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.
The park allows fishing in all streams.
Fishing is permitted only by the use of one hand-held rod.
Only artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. Dropper flies may be used. Up to two flies on a leader. (Use or possession of any form of fish bait or liquid scent other than artificial flies or lures on or along any park stream while in possession of fishing tackle is prohibited. Prohibited baits include [but are not limited to]: live or preserved minnows, worms, corn, cheese, bread, salmon eggs, pork rinds, liquid scents and natural baits found along streams.)
Use or possession of double, treble, or gang hooks is prohibited.
Fishing tackle and equipment, including creels and fish in possession, are subject to inspection by authorized personnel.
Brook, rainbow and brown trout: 7 inch minimum
Smallmouth bass: 7 inch minimum
Rock bass: No minimum
(Trout or smallmouth bass caught less than the legal length shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken.)
Five (5) brook, rainbow or brown trout, smallmouth bass, or a combination of these, each day or in possession, regardless of whether they are fresh, stored in an ice chest, or otherwise preserved. The combined total must not exceed 5 fish.
Twenty (20) rock bass may be kept in addition to the above limit.
A person must stop fishing “immediately” after obtaining the limit.
Please report violators to nearest ranger or call Great Smoky Mountains Dispatch: (865) 436-1294.
Trout Identification
Brook Trout
Has a dark, olive-green or blue-green body with distinctive red spots. There is a worm-like pattern, called a "vermiculated" pattern, across its back. The fins are tri-colored, typically displaying orange and black with a trailing white edge. You might notice red spots in the top dorsal fin. Rainbow Trout
Has a light body, which can be silver or pale blue, with dark spots scattered across it. A striking large pink stripe runs along its side, sometimes accompanied by a pink or red patch on the cheek. Some fins may have a white edge. Brown Trout
Has a light to golden-brown body with dark or red spots that have white halos around them. Their fins may also have white edges.
Help prevent the spread of invasive species by cleaning your fishing gear before use in a new waterway.
If there is a tangle of line or an empty can at your feet, clean up after your fellow angler.
It is unlawful to dispose of fish remains on land or water within 200 feet of a campsite. The National Park Service recommends disposing of fish entrails in a deep pool downstream from any campsite.
NPS Graphic
Do Not Move Rocks
Disturbing and moving rocks to create channels and construct rock dams is illegal in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Such actions can lead to serious and detrimental consequences for the aquatic ecosystem and its delicate balance.
Help protect aquatic life
Many fish species that live in the park spawn between April and August. Some of these fish build their nests in small cavities under rocks and even guard the nests. When people move rocks, the nests are destroyed and the eggs and/or young fish die.
Aquatic insects rely on rocks for cover and many species will attach themselves to the sides of rocks and cannot move. When a rock is moved, aquatic insects fall, are crushed by the movement, or will dry out and die when the rock is placed out of water.
One of the fundamental policies of the National Park Service is to preserve natural resources in an unaltered state. Abide by these rules so that future generations may enjoy the park as well.
Safety
Use extreme caution while fishing in streams throughout the Smokies. Drowning is the second cause of death in the park.
Water currents are swifter than they appear, and footing is treacherous on wet and moss-covered rocks.
Rising water levels resulting from sudden mountain storms occur frequently, so monitor water level.
Standing and wading in streams can drain body heat and lead to hypothermia.
Finished fishing? Fill out a survey about your trip.
An angler creel survey is a record of a single day's fishing effort, providing details on the angler's fishing experience in the park. The results will be used to help park biologists determine angler use patterns, catch and harvest rates, and seasonal patterns.
Smallmouth bass thrive in areas with rocky bottoms, root wads, woody debris and boulders. They prefer deep pools and slow-moving currents, primarily feeding on crayfish, insects and other fish.
NPS
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Bait fishing is prohibited in the national park to prevent the accidental introduction of non-native species, which can harm native ecosystems. Anglers may unknowingly release non-native organisms when discarding unused bait, posing a significant threat to the local environment. Furthermore, collecting natural bait can disrupt local ecological balances, leading to unintended consequences for native wildlife. Additionally, the use of corn or bread for fishing is illegal because these baits are associated with higher hooking mortality rates, which can adversely affect fish populations. By enforcing these regulations, the park aims to protect its delicate ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of its aquatic life.
The National Park historically stocked non-native trout for recreation until 1975, when it was deemed inconsistent with NPS policies. Current policies allow stocking only to restore native species, such as the smoky madtom and blotchside logperch. Monitoring shows that many streams already have healthy populations of trout, with densities of 2,000-4,000 fish per mile.
Treble hooks are not allowed because they result in higher hooking mortality rates for fish that must be released.
The best fishing spots depend on individual preferences, but areas near roads tend to have higher fishing pressure.
Fishing success can vary based on season, time of day, skill level, lure type, and weather conditions. Sometimes, fish simply may not be biting.
Lay the fish on a flat surface with its nose against a block and measure to the tail's furthest point.
Play the fish quickly, avoiding total exhaustion.
Keep the fish in water as much as possible.
Handle with wet hands, even when using a mesh net.
Remove hook gently; do not squeeze fish or put fingers in gills. Use long-nosed pliers to back the hook out gently. Use of barbless hooks is encouraged.
If the hook is deeply embedded, cut the line instead of pulling it out.
Hold the fish upright in the water and move it gently.
Release the fish in calm water.
Key Locations for Smallmouth Bass:
West Prong of the Little Pigeon River in the first few miles.
Streams flowing into Fontana Lake like Eagle, Hazel, and Noland Creek.
Best Streams for Smallmouth Fishing:
East Prong of Little River from Townsend to the Sinks. This stream offers easier road access but lower densities of smallmouth.
Abrams Creek from its embayment with Chilhowee Reservoir to Abrams Falls. This stream has a high population of smallmouth bass, but is rarely fished because it’s challenging to access.
