Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in most streams. Certain posted streams are closed to fishing, to protect threatened fishes. Detailed information, including a complete list of regulations and a map of fishable park waters, is available at any visitor center or ranger station.

You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina.Non-resident 3 day permits are $10.50. A combo permit for Gatlinburg and the Park is $20.50. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns. Cherokee Indian Reservation charges an additional $5.00 fee.

Tennessee License Requirements
Residents and nonresidents age 13 and older must have a valid license. Residents age 65 and older may obtain a special license from the state.

North Carolina License Requirements
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a license. Residents age 70 and older may obtain a special license from the state.

Persons under 16 in North Carolina and under 13 in Tennessee are entitled to the adult daily bag and possession limits and are subject to all other regulations.

Daily possession limits:

• Any combination of rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass totaling 5
• 20 rockbass
• A person must stop fishing once reaching the limit

Size limits

• Rainbow and brown trout: 7in. minimum
• Smallmouth bass: 7inch minimum
• Rockbass: no minimum
• Trout or smallmouth bass caught less than the legal length shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken.

Lures, bait, and equipment

• Fishing is permitted only by the use of one hand-held rod.
• Only artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. Dropper flies may be used. Up to two flies on a leader.
• Use or possession of any form of fish bait or liquid scent other than artificial flies or lures on or along any park stream while in possession of fishing tackle is prohibited.
  
  Prohibited baits include, but are not limited to, minnows (live or preserved), worms, corn, cheese, bread, salmon eggs, pork rinds, liquid scents and natural baits found along streams.
• Use or possession of double, treble, or gang hooks is prohibited.
• Fishing tackle and equipment, including creels and fish in possession, are subject to inspection by authorized personnel.

Please report violators to nearest ranger or to (865) 436-1294.

Safety
Standing and wading in streams can drain body heat and lead to hypothermia. Rising water levels resulting from sudden mountain storms occur quite frequently, so monitor water level. Water currents are swifter than they appear and footing is treacherous on wet and moss covered rocks.

Be a clean fisherman
If there's a tangle of line, or an empty can at your feet, clean up after your fellow angler.