GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, USA -- With over 2000 miles of streams within its borders, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park houses and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. Anglers will find a wide variety of experiences here, from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams. Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish and offer great year round fishing.

Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in most streams, although certain posted streams are closed to fishing in order to protect threatened fishes. Detailed information, including a complete list of regulations and a map of fishable park waters, is available at any visitor center or ranger station.

You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina to fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns. Note that additional special local permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.

Practicalities

You can get everything you need for fly fishing, rent or buy equipment or even book a guided fly fishing outing or expedition with The Smoky Mountain Angler, located at 466 Brookside Village Way in Gatlinburg. Call 865-436-8746 or visit www.smokymountainangler.com .

For more information about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, camping, fishing, ranger programs and more call 423-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm or www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/home.

You can contact the Great Smoky Mountains Association, a volunteer organization that supports the park and also offers numerous programs at 888-898-9102 or visit www.SmokiesStores.org.

For further information and reservations, contact the City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Center at 800-568-4748 or click to www.gatlinburg-tn.com .

If you plan on driving to Gatlinburg, be sure to check out the time saving article below. If you plan to fly, US Airways serves nearby Knoxville, for reservations call 1-800-428-4322 or visit www.usairways.com.

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Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day. To learn more about Cheri, click here.