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Who Needs a License |Where to Purchase a License | License Rates | Daily Possession Limits
Size Limits | Baits, Lures and Equipment | Gatlinburg Trout Fishing

GENERAL LICENSE INFORMATION:
~ Persons with a valid Tennessee or North Carolina state fishing license may fish in all open park waters ~ State trout licenses are not required
~ The possession of speckled brook trout is strictly prohibited 
~ Fishing licenses go on sale March 1 and are valid until the last day of February
~ Licenses are not available through the Park Service
~ Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters
~ Fishing is permitted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
~ Contact Park Headquarters at 865-436-1200 or stop by any ranger station for a complete list of open brook trout streams and closed or excluded waters inside the Park

WHO NEEDS A LICENSE:
~ Tennessee Resident or Non-Resident over the age of 13
~ Tennessee Residents over the age of 65 may obtain a special license from the state
~ Tennessee children under 13 are subject to the same limits and regulations as adults
~ North Carolina Resident or Non-Resident over the age of 16
~ North Carolina Resident over the age of 70 may obtain a special license from the state
~ North Carolina children under 13 are subject to the same limits and regulations as adults 

WHERE TO PURCHASE A LICENSE:

~ By calling 1-888-814-8972 you can get your fishing and hunting licenses instantly. An authorization number will allow you to begin fishing immediately. A $3.95 processing fee will be charged to your credit card.

~ You may also obtain a license by regular mail. Simply send your name, address (including zip code), social security number, date of birth, height, weight, eye and hair color and the correct fee to: TWRA Sales Office, P.O. Box 41729, Nashville, TN 37204-1729.

LICENSE RATES:
~ Non-Resident One Day All Fishing ~ $10.50
~ Non-Resident Three Day Fishing ~ $16.50 ~ No Trout
~ Non-Resident Ten Day Fishing ~ $25.50 ~ No Trout
~ Non-Resident Annual Fishing ~ $41.00 ~ No Trout
~ Non-Resident Three Day All Fish ~ $33.50
~ Non-Resident Ten Day All Fish ~ $50.50
~ Non-Resident Annual All Fish ~ $81.00
~ Gatlinburg Trout Daily Fishing ~ $2.50
~ Gatlinburg Three Day All Fishing ~ $6.50
~ Gatlinburg and the Park combined License ~ $20.50

DAILY POSSESSION LIMITS:
~ Five rainbow or brown trout, small mouth bass, or a combination of these per day, whether they are in your possession and regardless of how they are stored, fresh or frozen
~ 20 rockbass may be kept in addition to the limit above
~ All brook trout and any fish below the minimum size must be immediately returned to the water
~ Once reaching the daily possession limit, a person must stop fishing

SIZE LIMITS:
~ Rainbow and brown trout ~ 7" minimum
~ Smallmouth bass ~ 7" minimum
~ Rockbass (Redeye) ~ No size limit
~ Trout an smallmouth bass caught smaller then the legal length must be returned to the water

BAIT, LURES AND EQUIPMENT:
~ Fishing is permitted by the use of one hand held rod only
~ ONLY artificial flies and lures with a single hook may be used
~ Dropper flies are permitted ~ Up to 2 flies per leader
~ Possession/use of fish bait or liquid scent is prohibited while in possession of fishing tackle
~ Prohibited baits include, but are not limited to, corn, cheese, worms, salmon eggs, bread, pork rinds, minnows (live or preserved), liquid scents and natural baits found along streams
~ Possession/use of double, treble or gang hooks is prohibited
~ Fishing tackle and equipment are subject to inspection, including creels and fish in possession

GATLINBURG TROUT FISHING:
~ Fishing is permitted year round, except on Thursdays
~ Fishing is permitted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
~ Fishing is permitted by the use of one hand held rod and a single hook only
~ Dec. 1 - March 31 ~ Possession of any trout prohibited
~ All trout caught must be released immediately
~ Use/possession of artificial lures, other than single hook artificial flies, is prohibited
~ Use/possession of bait is prohibited
~ April 1 - Nov. 30 ~ Creel limit for Trout is 5 per day
~ April 1 - Nov. 30 ~ Creel limit for Children ages 12 years and younger is 2 per day

GATLINBURG GENERAL STREAMS:
~ West Prong Little Pigeon River from the Park Boundary to Gnatty Branch, except Children's Streams
~ Dudley Creek from Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River, except Children's Streams
~ Roaring Fork from the Park Boundary to West Prong Little Pigeon River
~ LeConte Creek from Painter Branch to West Prong Little Pigeon River

GATLINBURG CHILDREN'S STREAMS:
~ May be fished ONLY by children ages 12 and under
~ LeConte Creek from Painters Branch upstream to Park Boundary
~ West Prong Little Pigeon River from 100 yards above entrance to Herbert Holt Park downstream to Gatlinburg By-Pass Bridge
~ Dudley Creek from Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River