(GATLINBURG, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – April 1st starts the catch and keep fishing season in Gatlinburg with anglers heading to the river to see what they could reel in.
Fishing is allowed during daylight hours only, which is defined as one half-hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Gatlinburg is the only place in the state to stock regularly fish in the rivers.
“As long as the river is not frozen like it was back in January, we stock every Thursday somewhere in Gatlinburg,” said Gatlinburg Trout Facility Manager Travis Williams. “So, Fridays will be the best time because you get the freshest fish that day that haven’t been pressured yet.”
Williams said the fish tend to stay in the areas where they put them and they pick areas that will hold the fish.
“We will see them move around some, but that’s typically during high muddy water,” he added.
You can catch and keep up to five fish per day in Gatlinburg with the proper permits.
There is no size limit, and any type of bait may be used.
Check out all the rules when fishing in Gatlinburg here.
A yearly trout tournament lured in several pounds of fish by adults and kids. Click to the next page to see the results.
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