Spending time by a Smokies stream: fishing rules

Plan the waterside day before packing the rod

A stream gives us a reason to slow down and pay attention to the place around the water. For anyone planning to fish, that time starts with choosing a permitted spot and understanding its rules. We’d sort those details out before leaving town, so the visit can be about the stream once you arrive.

Anglers aged 16 and older need a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park does not require a separate trout stamp and does not sell licenses. Gatlinburg and Cherokee have additional local permit requirements. Outside the park, the state and local waterway rules apply, so check the regulations for the exact place you want to fish.

Give the water and its wildlife care

Inside the park, anglers may use one hand-held rod with artificial flies or lures and a single hook. Natural bait and treble hooks are prohibited. The NPS fishing page also carries a consumption advisory for smallmouth bass from Abrams Creek and Little River. Read the current notice and the catch limits before deciding whether to keep fish.

We want a day beside a stream to leave its banks and habitat undisturbed. Avoid wading when water is high or fast, and take care on smooth, slippery rocks. Rain can raise the level quickly. If the conditions are unsuitable for fishing, watching from a safe place on the bank can still give the day time beside the water.

• Buy a Tennessee or North Carolina license before entering the park.
• Check tackle rules, limits and fish advisories on the NPS page.
• Leave stream banks and aquatic habitat undisturbed.