A day of fishing can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to spend time with family and friends. Over 800-miles of well-stocked rivers and streams, incredible natural beauty, and crisp mountain air make Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding waters one of our country’s favorite freshwater fishing destinations. The park is open year-round and charges no admission fee.
What Type of Fish Will I Catch?
Tennessee has almost 300 species of native fish. The most popular targets include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie. The state of Tennessee also stocks many rivers and streams with Rainbow, Rock and Brown Trout to supplement the area’s native population of Brook Trout.
Are There Any Regulations I Need to Know?
Yes. The National Park Service requires that anglers over the age of thirteen carry either a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. Also, catch limits currently stand at five fish per person for Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Small-Mouth Bass. That number goes up to twenty for Rock Bass. Except where posted, fishing is permitted in most of the national park’s waters. Both the park and its hugely popular gateway town of Gatlinburg allow only single-hook lures and flies as bait. Natural baits of any type are prohibited. Also, between December 1st and March 31st, all trout caught in Gatlinburg must be released immediately.
What Section of the Park Has the Best Fishing?
The Park Service says about 800 miles of the park’s 2100 miles of waterways contain fish. That means excellent fishing in just about every corner of the park. Here are some of the more popular spots to consider:
- Hazel Creek Watershed, North Carolina – Despite its remote location near Fontana Lake, Hazel Creek draws many novice fishermen. Brown and Rainbow Trout are plentiful and often larger than average.
- Twentymile Creek Watershed, North Carolina – Twentymile Creek offers easy access and a quieter experience than many of the other spots on the list. Some sections of the creek require advanced skills.
- Abrams Creek Watershed, Tennessee – An abundance of large Rainbow Trout, challenging waters, and stunning scenery make Abrams Creek one of the park’s most popular fishing locations.
- Middle Prong of the Little River, Tennessee – Two tributary streams make up the Little River’s middle prong. The smaller stream offers a challenge for the more experienced anglers. Thanks to easy access, it gets quite busy in the summer months.
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Located at the park’s entrance in eastern Tennessee, the city of Gatlinburg boasts the state’s only municipal trout farm at Herbert Holt Park. Every Thursday, Rainbow Trout reared at the facility are deposited into the west prong of the Little Pigeon River. Gatlinburg also has two city parks – Herbert Holt Park and Mynatt Park – with children-only fishing places.
When is the Best Time of Year to Fish in the Smoky Mountains?
The park enjoys four distinct seasons, and fishing is allowed year-round. The park service cautions to be aware of water safety in waters that can surge suddenly from accumulations of runoff. And every parent hopefully ensures that their children get swimming lessons from the earliest age, so that people grow up safe in water.
The fishing action varies by species and season, but anytime is a great time to visit America’s most popular national park. Here’s a quick rundown:
Trout – Best from late March through June and again from October through November.
Bass – Anglers catch Bass year-round in the Smokies. Come in the spring for smaller crowds and bigger fish. In the late fall, Bass feed for the winter, which makes October and November an excellent time to visit – and the fall colors are astonishing in this area. Summer can be a bit more of a challenge as the fish tend to feed during the early morning hours or at night. Things slow down a bit in the winter but Smallmouth Bass can still be found in most of their usual haunts.
Crappie – Crappie fishing picks up in December and runs through April. In the warmer weather from June through August, Crappie bite much better after hours.
Does the Park Have Campsites?
Yes, the park has several types of campsites, including backcountry (for backpackers), front-country (camp near your car, restrooms, showers, etc.), and Horse Camps. You will also find a wide variety of rental cabins, especially near the Gatlinburg entrance in Tennessee. Luxurious Gatlinburg cabins offer a mountain experience with fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer, game rooms and lots of spacious comfort and privacy, at surprisingly reasonable prices. Many families make a Smoky Mountain cabin stay an annual affair. The Smokies are a romantic setting conducive to love and marriage, and couples appreciate the seclusion (and the hot tubs) that cabins offer as well.
What Other Activities Are Popular With Visitors to the Area?
Located at the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park on the Tennessee side, the sister cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attract millions of visitors every year. Area attractions include Dollywood, nightly shows, mountain coasters and other rides. Gatlinburg’s main strip is packed with attractions, shops and restaurants. Both cities host ongoing annual events like the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival, while Nature provides millions of wildflowers in spring, synchronous fireflies in summer and incredible, truly world-class colors in fall. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge each put on spectacular displays of lights in the Christmas season.
And of course, the park alone makes the trip worthwhile. Along with world-class fishing, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers excellent other water activities such as rafting, kayaking and tubing, as well as horseback riding. The park also boasts some 850 miles of hiking trails – some hard, some very easy – that lead to spectacular waterfalls and panoramic overlooks, often with weathered historical structures along the way. Everywhere you drive in the area is a scenic drive in its own right, with memories forever.
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