Scenic view of the Smoky Mountains

Fishing the Smokies

Smoky Mountain Fishing Information

The Smokies offer thousands of miles of streams, making the area a fantastic place to visit if you enjoy fishing! To fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you need a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. Licenses are not available in the park itself but can be obtained online or in one of the surrounding towns. Fishing in the Smoky Mountains is permitted year-round from thirty minutes before sunrise to thirty minutes after sunset.

Daily Possession Limits

The daily possession limit is a combination of five rainbow or brown trout, or smallmouth bass (seven inch minimum). This includes fresh catch, those stored in an ice chest, or preserved another way. Twenty rock bass may be kept in addition to the above limit, and there is no size limit for this type of fish.

Lures & Bait

What you can use: one hand-held rod, artificial flies, and single hook lures.

What you can’t use: double, treble, or gang hooks, fish bait or liquid scent such as live or preserved minnows, worms, cheese, bread, etc.

Guided Fishing Adventures

Want to enjoy a guided fishing trip in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge? With options like spin and fly fishing to boat fishing, all of these trips include an experienced guide, equipment, tackle, and bait. Call Rocky Top Outfitters at 865-429-FISH (3474) for more information or click here!

Wild trout caught and released