FISHING
To fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you must have either a valid North Carolina or Tennessee fishing license.
You can purchase a basic North Carolina license for a period of one day, three days or one year. The one-day cost for a resident is $5 (non-resident is $10);
one year is $15 (non-resident is $30). A 3-day non-resident fee is $15. If you plan to fish for trout outside the National Park, an additional “trout
stamp” is required at a cost of $10 (both resident and non-resident). Some of the trout streams are strictly catch-and-release.
For more information about North Carolina fishing, go to Online Fishing Regulations
No license is required to fish in Cherokee Reservation waters, however, a tribal a permit is required. The cost is $10 per day with a creel limit of ten. Cherokee
Reservation waters permits are available at a variety of locations on the Reservation.
Need a NC Fishing License?
In Bryson City, there’s Clampitt Hardware and Simmonds Bait & Tackle. You may also purchase a North Carolina fishing license, ahead of your visit, online.
DILLSBORO
Just 15 minutes east
Small town with plenty of arts and crafts, shopping, and restaurants.
FONTANA LAKE & STECOAH
Just 20 minutes west
Boating, fishing, jet boat rides, Fontana Dam, Stecoah Valley Center craft gallery, music & festivals.
FRANKLIN
Just 35 minutes south
Gem Mines
NANTAHALA GORGE
Just 20 minutes west
Whitewater rafting, kayaking, funyaks, trout fishing.
One hour to Asheville – Biltmore Estate, Asheville Tourists Baseball
One hour to see the Elk at Cataloochee, and Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley.
One hour to ride Deal’s Gap, world-famous among motorcyclists and sports car drivers.
Take a day trip to Cades Cove, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.
BRYSON CITY
Just 5 miles west
A quaint mountain town with fresh produce stands, shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Free music every Saturday night June – October at the train depot.
Bryson City highlights:
Deep Creek hiking, tubing & waterfalls
(pdf)
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Cherokee Indian
Reservation attractions, plus a casino and family fun.
Cherokee highlights:
Just 5 miles east
Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama
