Fishing East Tennessee Smoky Mountains

Plan on some fishing during your Smoky Mountains adventure? You will need a fishing license/pass valid for Tennessee and/or North Carolina, that is anglers (people who will be fishing) 13 years and older in Tennessee or 16 and older in North Carolina.  Plan to fish in the Smoky Mountains National Park itself, you must obtain your fishing license from towns surrounding the park, you are unable to buy fishing licenses/passes inside the park itself.

A 3 Day Pass costs a reasonable $10.50, if you are a non-resident. Anglers fishing within the boundaries of Gatlinburg must payy $10.50 for a one day pass.  If you so choose you can purchase a combined pass for both the park and the Gatlinburg area for $20.50.  No such thing as a bad day's fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains or neighboring towns.  Use your Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license to fish 365 days a year from an 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

Local creal limits may change yearly for each state, please check the state's Fish and Wildlife web sites for any changes.  As of this writing the creal limits are as follows:

Brook Trout are on a prohibited list and must be released if caught.   For other fish types, you are allowed to catch 5 fish a day of either - Brown (largest fish species found in the area; non-native and often found in lower lying streambeds) and/or Rainbow Trout (plentiful in the area), and/or Small-Mouth Bass.  Size restriction is 7 inches minimum for each of these species of fish.

Artificial flies and lures must be used, only one hand-held rod allowed per angler.  Some streams are periodically closed to study endangered Brook Trout and to allow re-population in specific waterways.  Your equipment and fish catch are subject to inspection by park authorities.

Further questions can be answered by visiting Fish and Wildlife .GOV resources or local fishing store staff. Smoky Mountain National Park rangers are also helpful and can provide further information as well as useful maps. 

Douglas Lake, Cherokee Lake, and Norris Lake are some of the hottest fishing spots outside the city, towns and National Park boundries.  Several Bass and other fishing events are held throughout the year on these lakes.  For current fishing reports, local fishing info and possible guided fishing trips (day or night) be sure to visit Smokies Angling Adventures.

Tennessee holds a FREE Fishing Day each year, No fishing license is required, resident or non-resident.

Non-Resident Fishing License Fees

• Jr. Hunt/Fish (Type 070)- $9.00 (Required for nonresidents age 13-15, fishing/small game)
• Annual Fishing (Type 076) No trout -$41.00
• Three-Day Fishing (Type 077) No trout___ $16.50
• Ten-Day Fishing (Type 079) No trout ___ $25.50
• Three-Day All Fish (Type 078) ______ $33.50
• Ten-Day All Fish (Type 080) ______ $50.50
• Annual All Fish (Type 081) _______ $81.00

Click links below for additional city regulations and fishing license purchase locations.

Gatlinburg

City of Gatlinburg Fishing Regulations:

No Fishing on Thursdays, this is the day the city stocks its rivers. December 1 - March 31 - Catch and Release only

Non-Resident Fishing License Fees

• Age 12 and under fish FREE
• Age 13 to 15 years old:
  Non-resident Gatlinburg One Day (Type 97) ONLY, or a combination of the following:
  EITHER Gatlinburg One-day (Type 99) or Three-day (Type 97)
  PLUS Non-resident Junior Hunt and Fish (Type 70)
• Age 16 and over:
  Non-Resident Gatlinburg One-day (Type 97) ONLY OR a combination of the following:
  Gatlinburg One-day (Type 97)
  PLUS one of these Non-resident licenses:
  Three-day All Fish (Type 78)
  Ten-day All Fish (Type 80)
  Annual All Fish (Type 81)
  NOTE: There is no over 65 exemption for non-residents.
• Junior Hunt and Fish (Type 70) - $6.00
  Three-day All Fish (Type 78) - $20.50
  One-day (Type 99) - $2.50
  Three-day (type 96) - $6.50
  Ten-day All Fish (Type 80) - $30.50
  Annual All Fish (Type 81) - $51.00
  Gatlinburg one day for Non-Residents (Type 97) - $10.50

Purchase Fishing Licenses & Permits In Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg City Hall

Trentham's Ace Hardware on Highway 321

Gatlinburg Visitor's Center on Highway 44

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Kodak

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Pigeon Forge

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Sevierville

Purchase Fishing Licenses & Permits In Sevierville, TN

Walmart or Kmart in Sevierville

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Seymour

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Townsend

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