Fishing is big in Swain County. So big, in fact, that it now has its own website – GreatSmokiesFishing.com. This comprehensive guide to fishing in the NC Smokies features, regulations, tournaments, guides, marinas and public access locations and a map and descriptions of twenty-six fishing destinations — mountain trout streams, creeks, rivers and two large lakes. These waters offer more than 17 sporting species from trout to to bass to muskie. What do you want to catch today?

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Swain County’s Mountain Lake, Rivers & Streams 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 or rivers, 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, particularly the section above the powerhouse on Wayah Road (pictured).

Delayed Harvest – Wildlife Resources Commission designated 2.2 miles of the Tuckasegee River in downtown Bryson City as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. DH Map and regulations The DH Waters are from the US 19 bridge (at Darnell Farms) to the Slope Street bridge in town. Learn more

The Little Tennessee River just west of Bryson City off the Needmore Road is a wide, cold, boulder-strewn river – perfect for smallmouth bass, brim, rock bass and muskie.

The Cherokee Indian Reservation also offers a variety of fishing opportunities for the trout fisherman with regularly stocked streams, trophy waters and three trout ponds. Cherokee holds several tagged fish tournaments, a fly-fishing tournament in the trophy waters and a trout derby for children every year. More info

If you prefer flat water 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.

Lake information

For boating information, including public boating access and marinas with boat rentals, as well as the Old 288 handicap accessible fishing pier, visit the Boating page of this web site.

Boating information

Below Fontana Dam on Highway 28, the Lewellyn Branch handicap accessible bank fishing pier and boat launch ramp facility offer fishermen access to Cheoah Lake on the Little Tennessee River.

More fun activities on the water near Bryson City.

Almond Boat & RV Park

Contact Name: Jim & Jo Mathis

Address: 1165 Almond Boat Park Rd
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: watchman073@gmail.com

Call: 828-488-6423

Phone Two: Fax: 828-488-8175

Located on Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, Almond Boat and RV Park invites you to "Come relax and enjoy the Smokies!" We offer pontoon rentals, boat rentals, cabin rentals, RV park rentals, boat storage, bait, fishing and hunting licenses. Located ten miles outside of Bryson City, NC on a paved road with easy access for motorcyclists and RVs.

Fontana Guide Service – Fishing

Contact Name: Kyle Fronrath

Address: 3336 Balltown Rd.
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: info@fontanaguides.com

Call: 828-736-2318

Other Address:

Address: 1102 North River Rd., Sylva, NC, 28779

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We'll show you the best fishing in the rivers & lakes of the Smoky Mountains. Fish with International Game Fish Association Professional Guides. Half day & full day trips. Pontoon boat, kayak & paddle board, wade & walk, and night fishing trips offered year round. Choose fly fishing or spinning tackle with top of the line gear. We provide everything. We have a trip for any skill level or budget. HD photos & videos of your trip available upon request. Ask about our lodging packages.

Fontana Marina

Address: 300 Woods Rd.
Fontana Dam
NC
28733

Call: 828-498-2129

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Fontana Marina offers a full line of services for the enjoyment of Fontana Lake including watercraft rentals, free boat launch, a ship store, fishing tackle and license, lake tours and more. Pontoon boat shuttle service is available for backcountry enthusiasts wishing to explore the southern rim of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tumbling Waters Campground & Trout Pond

Address: 1612 Panther Creek Rd
Almond
NC
28702

Email: camping@tumblingwaters.com

Call: 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 $5.00 per pound. Open March 16th to November 30th. Also a campground.

Root Hog Fishing Guide Service

Contact Name: Dwight Pigman

Address: PO Box 375
Bryson City
NC
28713

Call: 828-862-7958

We are a licensed fishing guide service with over 25 years of guide experience. We are available for 8, 6, and 4-hour fishing excursions for up to 4 people maximum per trip, 7 days a week, year-round. Call us for more information on available times and for reservations and scheduling information.

Carolina Bound Adventures Fishing

Contact Name: Mark Van Osdal

Address: 35 Slope Street
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: mark@carolinaboundadventures.com

Call: 828-569-6699

Do you want to book adventures like Fishing plus multiple other Adventures while you’re here for vacation? Save time making reservations and do it all at one website! Our adventure planning and reservation concierge service consolidates your vacation research and planning in one place. Visit our website, choose your desired adventures like Fishing and we’ll make the reservations plus set up your itinerary!

Mac Brown Fly Fish

Contact Name: Mac Brown

Address: 779, West Deep Creek Road
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: macbrownflyfish@gmail.com

Call: 828-736-1469

Fly fishing outfitter for guide and float trips, schools and casting instruction since 1987.

Endless River Adventures – Fishing

Contact Name: Ken Kastorff

Address: 14157 Hwy 19 W
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: info@endlessriveradventures.com

Call: 828-488-6199

Phone Two: TF: 800-224-RAFT (7238)

Phone Three: Fax: 828-488-2259

Endless River Adventures offers full and half-day fly fishing adventures for both beginning and experienced anglers. Options include float trips on the Nantahala River, as well as wade trips on the Upper Nantahala for trout; float and wade trips on the Tuckasegee River and Little Tennessee River for trout and small mouth bass. All equipment, rods, reels, waders and wading boots are included. Over 20 years experience in Western North Carolina. Licensed by the US Forest Service. Complete fly fishing shop.

Prince Boat Dock

Contact Name: David & Debbie Prince

Address: 237 Prince Boat Dock Rd.
Almond
NC
28702

Email: princeboatdock@aol.com

Call: 828-479-3704

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Located in Almond NC on beautiful Fontana Lake. We offer pontoon & johnboat rentals, anchored & covered slip moorings for boat storage, dock store with fuel, propane exchange, boat supplies, ice, bait, tackle & tube rentals.

Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Catch-out Pond

Address: 3365 Cooper Creek Rd
Bryson City
NC
28713

Call: 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!

Fly Fishing the Smokies

Contact Name: Eugene Shuler

Address: 157 Everett Street
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: guides@flyfishingthesmokies.net

Call: 828-488-7665

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Fly Shop & Guide Service. Discover the majestic streams and mountains while enjoying a day of guided fly fishing with some of the Great Smoky Mountains best fly fishing guides. Since 1999, we have guided anglers of all ages and skill levels to some of the most beautiful trout streams in all of the southeastern United States. We offer wade trips, float trips, our signature beginner classes, backcountry camping and the option of half-day and full-day trips. We have something for everyone and for every budget. Our Fly Shop in downtown Bryson City is stocked with everything you need for a great time fishing in the Smoky Mountains. Stop by and check us out.

Alarka Boat Dock

Contact Name: Tony Sherrill

Address: 7230 Grassy Branch Rd
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: sherrill_j@bellsouth.net

Call: 828-488-3841

Located on Fontana Lake in Swain County NC, Alarka Boat Dock is a one stop source for boat/pontoon put-in, Fontana Lake History Tours, fishing guides, and boat or pontoon rentals. Dock-slips available for boats and pontoon storage. Fishing supplies, ice, bait, snacks, gas and oil, t-shirt and caps, also boat supplies. Lake fishing and trout stream guides available upon request.

Nantahala On The Fly

Contact Name: Dakota Rogers

Address: 12121 Hwy 19 West
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: nantahalaonthefly@gmail.com

Call: 828-736-0784

Phone Two: Phone: 828-361-9386

Phone Three: TF: 800-468-7238

Specializing in fishing the waters of Western North Carolina. We offer fly fishing trips for the beginner to the expert level fisherman on all the most popular streams. Wade or float trips are offered for full or half day with lunch included. Let us help you plan the trip of your dreams. All equipment provided. Camping Cabins available. Nantahala On The Fly is a Carolina Outfitters, Inc. Company licensed by the US Forest Service.

Simonds Bait & Tackle Shop

Contact Name: Ann Parton

Address: 1085 Main St
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: annparton@gmail.com

Call: 828-488-6854

Located on the Tuckasegee 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 purchases on site. On site taxidermy (fish only). Open year round.

Rivers Edge Outfitters

Contact Name: Joey Walraven

Address: 61 Big Cove Road
Cherokee
NC
28719

Email: joey@flyshopnc.com

Call: 828-497-9300

TripAdvisor

Phone Two: Mobile: 770-546-0406

Other Address:

Mailing: PO Box 1805, Cherokee, NC, 28719

Full service fly fishing shop fully stocked with all your fly fishing essentials, basic spinner fishing gear and bait, and hiking and camping gear. Also offering fully guided fishing and hiking trips throughout Cherokee, Bryson City, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Convenient location with onsite parking near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited

Contact Name: Ronnie Parris

Address: 1012 E Alarka Rd
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: ronnie@smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

Call: 828-488-9711

Phone Two: Mobile: 828-736-9471

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We offer fly fishing, spin fishing and lake fishing. We specialize in catching Bass and Walleye on Fontana Lake and catching Rainbow and Brown Trout on Cheoah Lake. We also catch Steelhead Trout on Santeetlah Lake. All bait and equipment is furnished. A shore lunch is provided for full-day trips. Half day trips are also available. Open year round.

AB’s Fly Fishing Guide Service

Contact Name: Alex Bell

Address: 60 Bristol Drive
Sylva
NC
28779

Email: alex@abfish.org

Call: 828-226-3833

A premier guide service located in the beautiful Smoky mountains of Western NC - the most picturesque trout waters east of the Mississippi River. We accommodate the serious angler as well as the beginner. Learn when and where to catch trout while taking in the soothing waters of Western NC. We are committed to making this your best experience on the water.

Tuckaseegee Fly Shop

Contact Name: Dale Collins

Address: 3 Depot Street
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: tuckriverclub@gmail.com

Call: 828-488-3333

Bryson City NC's only full service fly shop! We are your headquarters for local fly patterns, fly fishing gear, guided trips, and fly fishing advice. We carry products from many well known vendors such as Redington, Rio, Catch Fly Fishing, Montana Fly Company, Scientific Angler, Umpqua, TFO Fly Rods, Chota, Brodin Nets, Simms Logo Apparel, and our very own Tuckaseegee Fly Shop logo hats and shirts. We welcome all locals and travelers to stop in and say hi!

Great Smoky Mountain Bait & Tackle

Contact Name: Joanne Parton

Address: 4740 Hwy 19W
Bryson City
NC
28713

Call: 828-488-8920

Phone Two: Fax: 828-488-0545

Fully stocked with all of your fishing needs. Great Smoky Mountain Bait & Tackle has everything you would need for a fishing excursion except the boat. We have a large stock of rods and reels and are a fully stocked bait shop. North Carolina annual and day pass fishing license sold here. Lake Fontana maps available.

153 Charters

Contact Name: Cpt. James McManus

Address: 2013 East Fork Rd.
Sylva
NC
28779

Email: 153Charters@gmail.com

Call: 828-421-8125

Complete fishing guide service. Specializing in area lakes for Bass, Walleye and Trout. Thirty years experience at Fontana Lake. Can take anyone from novice to expert. We provide all bait, tackle, lunch, drinks and snacks. Top of the line equipment, Lowrance Units, Minn Kota, Penn, Abu Garcia, 22' Panga CC w/145 Yamaha. USCG Licensed.

Steve Claxton and Hazel Creek Featured on The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel came to Swain County for a travel segment on fishing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They followed local fishing guide Steve Claxton up Hazel Creek on a rewarding quest for wild mountain trout. The two-minute segment first aired in June 2014. View longer 5 minute version

IN OUR BLOG…

The Sublime Pleasure of Winter Trout Fishing

Fish are hungry in the winter, too.

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Bryson City - Swain County
Chamber of Commerce
210 Main Street
P.O. Box 509
Bryson City, NC 28713

Karen Proctor
Executive Director

828-488-3681

877-472-1681

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