NOTE: WE DO NOT SELL FISHING LICENSES AT OUR SHOP. WE SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE YOUR FISHING LICENSES ONLINE. YOU CAN DO IT USING YOUR CELL PHONE, THEN KEEP THE E-MAILED COPY IN THE PHONE TO SHOW A RANGER OR WILDLIFE OFFICER. OR, IF YOU PURCHASE YOUR LICENSE AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO PRINT ONE, KEEP THAT COPY ON YOUR PERSON WHILE FISHING IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS OR IN OTHER AREAS OF TENNESSEE.

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.

Tennessee License Requirements (inside GSMNP on TN side)
Residents and nonresidents age 16 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 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, brook 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, Brook and Brown Trout: 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.

Resident Tennessee Fishing Licenses
Type 001 - Annual Hunting and Fishing Combination - $34.00
Type 002 - Annual Youth Hunt/Fish/Trap (ages 13-15) - $10.00
Type 004 - Annual Sportsman - $166.00
Type 021 - 1 Day Fishing - $6.50
Type 023 - 1 Day Fishing - All Species (includes Trout) - $11.50
Type 022 - Trout (in addition to Type 001 or 021) (not required for fishing inside GSMNP) - $22.00

Nonresident Tennessee Fishing Licenses
Type 076 - NR Annual Fishing No Trout * - $50.00
Type 077 - NR 3 Day Fishing No Trout * - $20.50
Type 078 - NR 3 Day Fishing All Species - $40.50
Type 079 - NR 10 Day Fishing No Trout * - $30.50
Type 080 - NR 10 Day Fishing All Species - $62.00
Type 081 - NR Annual Fishing All Species - $99.00

* 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 Suplimentary Permits
Type 098 - Tellico-Citico Trout Daily Permit (needed from 3/15 till 9/15 and is required for all ages) - $6.50
Type 097 - Resident or NR Gatlinburg 1 Day Trout Permit (only requirement, ages 13 and up, to fish in Gatlinburg for one day) - $11.50
Type 099 - Gatlinburg Trout Daily Permit (required for both residents and nonresidents age 13-64 in addition to the appropriate fishing licenses except for nonresidents who purchase the Type 097 license) - $3.50
Type 096 - Gatlinburg 3 Day Trout Permit (required for both residents and nonresidents age 13-64 in addition to the appropriate fishing licenses except for nonresidents who purchase the Type 097 license) - $9.50
Type 097 - Gatlinburg ResidentNon-Resident Stand Alone Trout Daily Permit (required for both residents and nonresidents age 13-64 this license is all you need to fish only in Gatlinburg city water. It does not allow you to fish other waters) - $11.50


No License is Needed If:

You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident). 15 or younger inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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 online directly from the TWRA. TWRA charges an additional internet processing fee depending on the license.

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