The Smoky Mountains are known for their native brook and brown trout, and Gatlinburg and the National Park have over 900 miles of rivers and streams that are just waiting for you to cast your line. Before you pack your fishing gear, however, there are local and state fishing regulations you'll have to know. Children under the age of nine do not require licenses or permits of any kind, while adults must have the proper local and/or state fishing licenses. For a brochure which explains these regulations in detail, stop by Smoky Mountain Angler in Gatlinburg to get your copy of the fishing regulations and to obtain your Smokies fishing license.

Once you've obtained your license, you're allowed to fish in many of the city's waters including West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, LeConte Creek, Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek. There are also two designated children's fishing areas which are heavily stocked with trout. These are located at North Gatlinburg Park, at the northern Parkway entrance to the city, and Mynatt Park off Airport Road. By the way, no fishing is allowed in Gatlinburg on Thursdays; this is the day that the city stocks its waters with trout. Also, between December 1st and March 31st, all trout caught in Gatlinburg must be immediately released.

Fishing is permitted in most of the National Park's waters, except for those which are posted otherwise in order to protect the brook trout (see tips).

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Rules for Anglers

Tennessee Anglers 13 years and older need a fishing license to fish in the park and Tennessee state waters.

North Carolina anglers 16 and older need a valid North Carolina fishing license to fish in the Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not sell licenses.

You can obtain fishing license information and your actual fishing license from Smoky Mountain Angler. No trout stamp is required to fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

For North Carolina Fishing Licenses you can purchase them over the phone to get the number
click here

Daily possession limits:

Any combination of rainbow trout, brown trout, small mouth bass totaling five.
20 rockbass

It is illegal to possess brook trout

A person must stop fishing once reaching the limit.

Size limits

Rainbow and Brown trout: 7 inches minimum length

Small mouth bass: 7 inches minimum length

Rockbass: no minimum

Brook trout are prohibited to possess and any fish below the minimum length limit must be released immediately.

Lures, bait, and equipment

Only one handheld rod may be used whether spin or fly rod.

Only single hook artificials (treble hooks are not permitted)

Bait must be fully artificial

Liquid scents are not permitted.

All equipment (rods, vest, baits) are subject to inspection by authorized Park staff.

Park regulations are also posted at pull offs and other areas on streams and can be obtained at any park ranger station or visitor center.