    The Smokies are known for their native brook and brown trout, and Gatlinburg and the National Park are crawling (or should we say swimming?) with over 900 miles of rivers and streams that are just waiting for you to cast your line. Before you pack up your tackle box, however, there are local and state regulations that have to be observed. For example, children under the age of nine do not require licenses or permits of any kind, whereas adults must possess various combinations of local and/or state licenses. The requirements vary according to age, and state of residence. For a brochure which explains these regulations in detail, call the Gatlinburg Recreation Department at (423) 436-4990 and ask for their Trout Fishing brochure or call Gatlinburg City Hall at (423) 436-1400. Both locations can also give you specifics regarding the different fishing seasons and fishing limits in the city.

     Once you've obtained your permit(s), you're allowed to fish in many of the city's waters including West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, LeConte Creek, Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek. There are also two designated children's fishing areas which are heavily stocked with trout. These are located at North Gatlinburg Park, at the northern Parkway entrance to the city, and Mynatt Park off Airport Road. Both of these sites are marked with signs which indicate the boundaries of the designated areas. By the way, no fishing of any kind is allowed in Gatlinburg on Thursdays; this is the day that the city stocks its waters with trout. Also, between December 1st and March 31st, all trout caught in Gatlinburg must be immediately released.

     Fishing is permitted in most of the National Park's waters, except for those which are posted otherwise in order to protect certain species of fish. Both the National Park and the City of Gatlinburg allow only single-hook lures and flies as bait; no worms, corn or natural bait of any kind are permitted. As in Gatlinburg, proper licenses are required.

Courtesy of the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce 1998

Gatlinburg Trout Fishing License Requirements

TENNESSEE RESIDENTS*

(*Resident is someone who has lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive says: military personnel on active duty in Tennessee and their immediate family; students enrolled in a Tennessee college or university.)
NOTE: Tennessee residents with a Sportsman License (TYPE 04) do not need any other license or permit.

1. Under 9 years old.
No License or permit required.
2. Ages 9 to 12 years old.
Gatlinburg one-day permit (TYPE 99)
3. Age 13 to 15 years old.
Gatlinburg one-day permit (TYPE 99)
PLUS junior Hunt, Fish, and Trap License (TYPE 02)
4. Age 16 to 64 years old.
Gatlinburg one-day permit (TYPE 99) PLUS
Annual Trout (Type 22)
AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Annual Hunting and Fishing Combination (TYPE 01)
One-day Fishing (TYPE 21)
County of Residence Fishing (TYPE 20)
5. Age 65 years old and older.
If you turned 65 before March 1, 1991, No license or permit needed.
If you turned 65 on or after March 1, 1991, Lifetime Senior Hunt, Fish and Trap (TYPE M65) ONLY.

NON-RESIDENTS - Out of Tennessee

1. Under 9 years
NO license or permit required.
2. Age 9 to 12 years old.
Gatlinburg One-day Permit (TYPE 99) ONLY
3. Age 13 to 15 years old.
Gatlinburg one-day Permit (TYPE 99)
PLUS Junior Hunt and Fish (TYPE 70)
OR Gatlinburg One-day Non-resident Permit (TYPE 97) ONLY
4. Age 16 and over
Gatlinburg one-day Non-resident Permit (TYPE 97) ONLY
OR a Gatlinburg One-day Permit (TYPE 99)
PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
THREE-DAY ALL FISH (TYPE 78)
TEN-DAY ALL FISH (TYPE 80)
Annual All Fish (TYPE 81)
NOTE: There is no over 65 exception for non-residents.

Gatlinburg Trout Fishing Regulations

PERMIT

In addition to State of Tennessee licensing requirements a local permit is required for residents between 9 and 64 years old and for non-residents 9 years old and above. Special exemptions may apply to all other age groups and the handicapped. Check with local licensing agents for details. Permits available at City Hall, Chamber of Commerce and other outlets.

SEASON

1. From December 1 through March 31

A. Use or possession of any bait other than artificial lures with a single hook shall be prohibited.
B. All trout caught must be immediately returned unharmed to the water.
C. Possession of any trout shall be prohibited December1 - March 31.

2. From April through November 30.

A. Daily creel limit shall be five (5) trout.
B. Total possession limit not exceed twice the daily creel limit.
C. While fishing or while afield, possession of more than the daily creel limit shall be prohibited, regardless of whether the trout are fresh, stored in ice chest, in a vehicle, or otherwise preserved.

3. Year 'Round.

A. Fishing allowed during daylight hours only, which are defined as one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunrise.
B. All streams will be closed Thursday of each week.

GENERAL STREAMS

1. West Prong Little Pigeon River from Park Boundary downstream to Gnatty Branch, except those sections set aside as Children's Streams.
2. Dudley Creek from Park Boundary downstream to West Prong Little Pigeon River, except those sections set aside as Children's Streams.
3. Roaring Fork from the Park Boundary downstream to West Prong Little River.
4. LeConte Creek from Painters branch downstream to West Prong Little River.
Fishing is permitted with one hand-held rod and single hook only.

CHILDREN'S STREAMS

1. LeConte Creek from Painters Branch upstream to Park Boundary.
2. West Prong Little Pigeon River from a point 100 yards above the North Gatlinburg Park Entrance downstream to the Gatlinburg By-Pass Bridge.
3. Dudley Creek from the Highway 441 Bridge downstream to the West Prong Little Pigeon River.
The creel limit is two (2) trout per day for children the age of twelve (12) and under when fishing in Children's Streams.
Fishing is permitted with one hand-held rod and single hook only.

RELEASING FISH

1. Play a fish as rapidly as possible, do not play to total exhaustion.
2. Keep fish in water as much as possible when handling.
3. Handle fish with wet hand, even when using a mesh landing net.
4. Remove hook gently, do not squeeze fish or put fingers in gils. Use long-nosed pliers to back the hook out gently. The use of barbless hooks is encouraged.
5. If deeply hooked, cut the line, do not pull the hook out. Most fish survive with hooks left in them.
6. Gently hold fish upright facing upstream and move back and forth in the water.
7. Release fish in quiet water.

(Guidelines courtesy of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service 1998)