Great Smoky Mountains National Park License Requirements

Persons possessing a valid Tennessee OR North Carolina state fishing license may fish all open Park waters. Licenses must be displayed on demand by authorized personnel. Supplemental state trout licenses are not required. The Park does not sell state fishing licenses. Tennessee licenses may be purchased at Little River Outfitters.

Tennesse License Requirements (inside GSMNP on TN side)
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. No trout license is required.

North Carolina License Requirements (inside GSMNP on NC side)
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.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fishing Regulations

Season
Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters.

Time
Fishing is allowed from a half hour before official sunrise to a half hour after official sunset.

Daily Possession Limits
Five (5) rainbow or brown trout, smallmouth bass, or a combination of these, each day or in possession, regardless of whether they are fresh, stored in an ice chest, or otherwise preserved. The combined total must not exceed five fish.

Twenty (20) rockbass may be kept in addition to the above limit.

A person must stop fishing immediately after obtaining the limit.

Size Limits
Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7" minimum
Brook Trout (only in specifically opened waters): 7" minimum
Smallmouth Bass: 7" minimum
Rockbass (redeye): No size limit

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
1. Fishing is permitted only by the use of one hand-held rod.
2. ONLY artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. Dropper flies may be used. Up to two flies on a leader.
3. 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 otherwise preserved), worms, corn, cheese, bread, salmon eggs, pork rinds, Power Bait, liquid scents and natural baits found along streams.
4. Use or possession of double, treble, or gang hooks is prohibited.
5. Fishing tackle and equipment, including creels and fish in possession, are subject to inspection by authorized personnel.

Printed Fishing Regulations are available at Little River Outfitters or at GSMNP Visitor Centers

Experimental Brook Trout Fishery
Because of the results of recent fisheries research and the success of the park's brook trout restoration effort, park management has opened sections of eight streams to brook trout fishing and harvest on an experimental basis. Four of the stream segments are in North Carolina and four are in Tennessee. The same possession and minimum size restrictions apply to brook trout in these streams that apply to trout fishing in other open park waters (maximum possession five total fish, minimum length seven inches).
The eight streams open to brook trout fishing are shown on the map side of the GSMNP Fishing Regulations. The three-year experimental opening began July 1, 2002. The eight open streams will be monitored annually and anglers catch and harvest success will be periodically checked. At the conclusion of the experiment, biologists will evaluate the data and make recommendations for the future of brook trout fishing in the park.
State of Tennessee License Requirements

Resident Fishing Licenses
Type 001 - Annual Hunting and Fishing Combination - $28.00
Type 002 - Annual Youth Hunt/Fish/Trap (ages 13-15) - $8.00
Type 004 - Annual Sportsman - $136.00
Type 021 - 1 Day Fishing - $5.50
Type 022 - Trout (in addition to Type 001 or 021) (not required for fishing inside GSMNP) - $18.00

Nonresident Fishing Licenses
Type 076 - NR Annual Fishing No Trout * - $41.00
Type 077 - NR 3 Day Fishing No Trout * - $16.50
Type 078 - NR 3 Day Fishing All Species - $33.50
Type 079 - NR 10 Day Fishing No Trout * - $25.50
Type 080 - NR 10 Day Fishing All Species - $50.50
Type 081 - NR Annual Fishing All Species - $81.00

* Nonresident "No Trout" licenses allow you to fish for trout inside the boundaries of the GSMNP and in warmwater lakes and streams outside the park. They do NOT allow you to fish in designated trout water in the state of Tennessee. Little River through Townsend, West Prong of Little Pigeon through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, the Clinch River, Tellico River etc are designated as trout water.

Special Supplimentary Permits
Type 098 - Tellico-Citico Trout Daily Permit (needed from 3/15 till 9/15 and is required for all ages)
Type 097 - NR Gatinburg 1 Day Trout Permit - $5.50
Type 099 - Gatlinburg Trout Daily Permit (required for both residents and nonresidents age 9-64 except for nonresidents who purchase Type 097. This permit is in addition to all other needed licenses)
Type 096 - Gatlinburg 3 Day Trout Permit (required for both residents and nonresidents age 9-64 except for nonresidents who purchase Type 097. This permit is in addition to all other needed licenses)

The license year begins on March 1 and ends on February 28. License costs are not pro-rated.

No License is Needed If
You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident).
You are on military leave, carrying a copy of your leave orders. A pass does not meet this requirement.

Who Must Have a License?
If you take, or attempt to take fish (including crayfish) by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid fishing license.

Tennessee Fishing Licenses can be purchased at Little River Outfitters. Proof of residency such as a valid drivers license is required to obtain a resident license.

Tennessee Fishing Licenses can be purchased online directly from the TWRA. TWRA charges an additional $3.25 internet processing fee. No extra fees are charged for licenses bought in person at a license dealer. To purchase a license online go to http://www.wildlifelicense.com/tn/

State of North Carolina License Requirements

 

For complete North Carolina Fishing Regulations go to their website at:

http://www.wildlife.state.nc.us/fs_index_03_fishing.htm

 
 
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