Swain County's streams and lakes
are a fisherman's paradise

Whether you are fly fishing for native brook trout in a cold mountain stream, smallmouth or largemouth bass in beautiful Fontana Lake or rainbow or brown trout in one of the many stocked streams, Swain County hosts one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest offer hundreds of miles of spectacularly clear streams. Just a few minutes from Bryson City, the sparkling waters of Deep Creek are ripe for fly fishing, and many anglers enjoy the Nantahala River just west of town.

The Cherokee Indian Reservation also offers a variety of fishing opportunities for the trout fisherman with regularly stocked streams and three trout ponds. There are several other trout ponds in the area (see below).

If you prefer stillwater fishing, Fontana Lake boasts one of the most diverse fish populations anywhere in the country. With depths of over 400 feet, many northern fish such as walleye, muskie and smallmouth bass are among favorites of local fishermen. For boating information, including public boating access and marinas with boat rentals, visit the Fontana page of this web site.

For a printed brochure of the information on this page, click here to download a PDF.

Simonds Bait & Tackle Shop
1085 Main Street, Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-6854
Located on the Tuckaseigee River. Live bait: shinners, trout fingerlings (seasonally), nightcrawlers, wax worms, meal worms, and crickets. Complete line of tackle for lake, river, and fly fishing. Locally hand tied flies. Single hook lures for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.Fishing license. On site taxidermy (fish only). Open year round.

Fontana Marina
Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam 800-849-2258 Contact: Ext. 288
Fontana Marina offers guided fishing trips on Fontana Lake, Hazel Creek, Eagle Creek, Twenty-Mile Creek or wherever the fisherman wants to go. Call 800-849-2258 and ask for extension 288.

Granger Outdoors
P.O. Box 488, Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-4170 Contact: Granger Outdoors
Mountain stream trout fishing with outings tailored for you. Backcountry or vehicle accessible. Half day or full day. Authorized by: Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The 'Reel' McCoy Fishing Guide Service
655 Mt. Noble Road Cherokee, NC 28719 828-788-3144 or 828-497-4194 Contact: Steve McCoy
Fontana Lake and Fly Fishing Guide Service for the Smokey Mountains, Bryson City & Cherokee NC. Full day, half day and back country trips. Sightseeing tours of Fontana Lake on our 21-foot pontoon boat or 20-foot Triton Bass Boat.

Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Catch-out Pond
3365 Cooper Creek Rd. Bryson City, NC 28713 866-245-4500 or 828-488-2500
This full service trout farm offers all the amenities in a beautiful mountain setting that includes hiking trails, waterfalls, and picnic tables. No license required, no limit, and all fishing equipment is provided. Guided fishing tours are also available. Stay an hour or the entire day!

Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited
1012 E. Alarka Rd. Bryson City, NC 828-488-9711 or 828-736-9471 Contact: Ronnie Parris
Guided fishing & camping trips. We offer fly fishing, spin fishing, lake fishing, camping and boathouse camping trips. All bait and equipment is furnished. A shore lunch is provided for full-day trips. Half day trips are also available. Open year round.

Fontana Guide Service
3336 Balltown Road Bryson City,NC 28713 828-736-2318 or 828-488-9793 Contact: Kyle Fronrath
Be our guest for lake fishing and sight-seeing on the beautiful waters of Lake Fontana in the Great Smoky Mountains. Day and night trips available with all tackle and equipment provided. Sit back in comfort on our spacious pontoon boat for a full or half day trip. Lodging packages available.

Almond Boat & RV Park
1165 Almond Boat Park Road, Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-6423 Fax: 828-488-8175 Contact: Jim & Jo Mathis
Lakeside housekeeping cottages, one & two bedroom. Each with complete electric kitchen with cooking utensils and table service for six. In addition there is a sofa bed in the living quarters which will sleep one adult or two small children. Each cabin has electric heat, air conditioned and private front porch facing the lake. All bedding and linens are furnished. Towels are changed daily and clean linens offered every fourth day.

Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 Hwy 19 W, Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-6900 or 800-232-7238 Fax: 828-488-0301
Named "One of the Best Outfitters on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure, NOC has led the rafting industry in professionalism, safety and service since 1972. Along with our ideal family rafting options on the Nantahala, our riverside campus features four distinct dining options, a variety of lodging, our world-class Paddling School, mountain/road bike rentals, fully-dedicated fishing guide service on the Nanty, Little Tennessee and Tuckaseigee Rivers, lake kayaking, our famous Outfitter's Store and more! Come see for yourself why NOC is a legend in the outdoors. Proud sponsor of June Music in the Mountains Evening Concert Series!

Endless River Adventures
PO Box 246, 14157 Hwy 19 W Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-6199 or 800-224-RAFT Fax: 828-488-2259
Offers whitewater rafting on the Nantahala and Ocoee Rivers. Ocoee rafting package includes transportation from our Nantahala Outpost, saving you the extra driving. Kayak instruction from the beginner to advanced level and kayak/mountain trips to Costa Rica and Ecuador. Lake touring offered for half-and full-day trips. Also, fly fishing instruction & guide service with drift boat option. Silver level sponsor of Freedom Fest 2009!

Head of the Creek
Wesser Creek Rd Bryson City, NC 28713 866-488-3096 or 828-488-3096
Located near the Nantahala River Gorge on Wesser Creek. We have a 10-stall barn for horse stabling plus 3 hook-ups with water and electric for horse trailers with living quarters. We have pasture available plus 3 miles of trails on our property.

Tumbling Waters Trout Pond
1612 Panther Creek Road Almond, NC 28702 828-479-3814
Located on Panther Creek, 1-1/2 miles off NC 28, between Bryson City and Fontana Dam. Trout farm. Free pole, bait and cleaning! Trout $3.00 per pound. Open March 16th to November 30th. Also a campground.

Smoky Mountain Adventures, Inc.
828-736-7501 Contact: Steve Claxton
Each weekend April-November, Steve Claxton takes a small group of 5-12 campers across Fontana Lake by pontoon to the remote North Shore area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a two-day guided outing. Everything is provided for hiking, fly fishing or just camping. Twenty years experience as a guide; fully insured, licensed and permitted by the GSMNP. Occasionally, day hikes are available.

Smoky Mountain Flyfishing
626 Tsali Boulevard Cherokee, NC 28719 828-497-1555
Full service fly shop and outfitters located right on the banks of the beautiful Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, NC. First rate guide service offering trips to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Western North Carolina's most popular fishing destinations.No other outfitter offers more trips or has better guides.Let us custom tailor a trip that is right for you. We offer everything from half day to all day wade trips, float trips in our drift boat, and the ultimate in flyfishing adventures, overnight back country destinations.