With the waters of Gatlinburg being so clear and clean, it would be a shame to visit the area without experiencing one of the more peaceful pastimes of the region – fishing. The accessible streams and locations around the city make this a spot for both professional and amateur fisherman to hone their skills and enjoy their vacation, all at the same time!
The general fishing streams within the city are stocked with a wide variety of trout. Stocked locations around the city include West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, LeConte Creek, Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek. There are also children’s ponds set aside for fishers twelve and under. These spots are loaded heavily with trout, allowing your little ones to enjoy the fruits of a successful fishing trip from there very first outing! These spots are located at North Gatlinburg Trout Fishing in the Smoky Mountains Park, at the northern Parkway entrance to the city, and Mynatt Park off Historic Nature Trail.
As with every sport, there are definitely some rules and regulations that need to be reviewed before jumping in full-force. The first step is to make sure you’ve got your fishing license. A variety of temporary permits can be purchased for tourists to the area who are in need of them and children twelve and under are exempt from this process. The Gatlinburg Welcome Center is the perfect place to complete this step. Fishing is allowed from thirty minutes prior to sunrise to thirty minutes past sunset. Corn and other types of bait are allowed, except for during the strictly enforced “catch and release” period between December 1st and March 31st. Also, since the city stocks the streams with trout on Thursdays, there is no fishing within the city limits on those days.
In addition, there are many businesses around the city, such as Smoky Mountain Angler and Guide Service, that can address any questions or concerns you may have, while also helping you get prepared for your fishing trip. After making the necessary arrangements, you and your family can enjoy some extended peace and quiet on your vacation by taking the time to enjoy the fishing spots of Gatlinburg!