Fishing in the Smokies-

Eastern Tennessee has some of the most beautiful waters for fishing in the United States. The Little Pigeon River, Big Pigeon River and Douglas Lake are all areas fishermen flock to, pole in hand, to cast a line that takes them far away from being online, in the hustle and bustle of day to day life. Opportunities in Gatlinburg, Hartford, and all around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for fishing are plentiful, but often times guests are unsure of rules and regulations regarding fishing, lures, and licenses. Read on to learn more about fishing in the Smoky Mountains, what you need, what you’ll catch, and where to go.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,900 miles of streams within its boundaries, and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. Approximately 20% of the park's streams are large enough to support trout populations. The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, cool water smallmouth bass streams. Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish and offer a great opportunity to catch these species throughout the year. The Pigeon River is not only a great place for Whitewater Rafting in East, Tn but holds an abundance of places to catch a variety of fish.

License Requirements
You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns or online (links provided by state below). Special permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.

Tennessee License Requirements
Residents and nonresidents age 13 and older must have a valid license. Residents age 65 and older may obtain a special license from the state. Buy a license from the state government of Tennessee.

North Carolina License Requirements
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a license. Residents age 70 and older may obtain a special license from the state. Buy a license from the state government of North Carolina..

Season
Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters.

 
Time
Fishing is allowed from a half hour before official sunrise to a half hour after official sunset.

 
Daily Possession Limits
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 five fish. A person must stop fishing immediately after obtaining the limit.

 
Size Limits
Brook, rainbow, and brown trout: 7 inch minimum
Smallmouth bass: 7 inch minimum
Rockbass: no minimum
 
Trout or smallmouth bass caught less than the legal length shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken.

 
Lures, Bait, and Equipment
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, minnows (live or preserved), 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.

 
Be A Clean Fisherman
If there's 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 for the campsite.