Keeping Your Line Wet

The Bryson City area is sought out by fishing enthusiasts from around the world due to an abundance of pristine fishing streams and rivers, along with the deep, cold waters of Fontana Lake.

The Tuckasegee River in downtown Bryson City is designated as Delayed Harvest fishing, and stocked fall through spring with trout for anglers who enjoy catch- and-release fishing. Other remote streams offer native trout. Trout are also common in the Nantahala, Oconaluftee, and

Little Tennessee Rivers. The Tuckasegee and the Little Tennessee also offer bass, crappie, walleye and the fierce muskie.

The crown jewel of Swain County fishing is Fontana Lake. Record-size muskie and walleye have been pulled from its 400-foot depths. It is one of the best smallmouth bass fishing lakes in the country.

Downtown Bryson City is home to the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians and the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium. Learn more about fishing in Bryson City at www.greatsmokiesfishing.com

Fishing is an age-old pastime that offers relaxation and connection – connection with friends and with nature. Whether you’ve been fishing all of your life or it’s your first time on the water, we have what you need in Bryson City. Fly Fishing the Smokies, Tuckaseegee Fly Shop and several other locations offer fly fishing lessons, which is always a fun activity to add to the agenda.