North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries, and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, cool water smallmouth bass streams. Fishing pressure tends to be highest nearest the roads.
- There are licenses required to fish in the park and special permits for some surrounding area. Fishing licenses and permits are now available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns. There are also a number of special rules and regulations that govern fishing here. Rising water levels due to sudden mountain storms occur quite frequently - so monitor water level. Water currents are often swifter than they appear and footing is treacherous on rocks.
- Much of the Smokies waters are either fast or deep. It may be more productive to have a sinking tip line (for fast water) or a uniform sinking line (for deep water) in addition to your floating line.