Fishing in cool streams is a popular outdoor adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Wet Bottom Trail in Cades Cove
Opportunities are unlimited for fishing in the national park, and there are approximately 2,900 miles of streams. Most of all, the park protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. Nearly 20% of the waters are large enough to support trout populations.
You will discover a wide variety of angling experiences:
1. Remote, headwater trout streams and
2. Large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams.
Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish. Also, they offer a great opportunity to catch these species throughout the year.
Fishing is permitted year-round in the park. Fishing is permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. It is okay to fish in all streams.
Gear Up for Fishing
First of all, you can gear up at any number of outfitters located at a park entrance:
• GSM Outfitters (Wears Valley)
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Gatlinburg)
• Little River Outfitters (Townsend)
Classes and Guided Tours
Even more, you can take classes and guided tours at:
• Fightmaster
• Fly Fishing the Smokies
• Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service
• Little River Outfitters
• R & R
• Smokies Angling
• Smoky Mountain Angler
Annual Trout Tournaments:
• Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament – Most noteworthy, these are fun for everyone; adults, children, tourists, locals. More than 10,000 trout are stocked in over 20 miles of streams just before this 2-day event. Especially relevant is that the trout tournament is held twice annually. One event is in the Spring and the other in the Summer.
