SwainCounty

Fisherman's Paradise

One of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world with four rivers, dozens of mountain streams throughout the Smoky Mountains and the deep, cold waters of Fontana Lake.

What do you want to catch today?

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s streams and creeks offer natural populations of brook, brown and rainbow trout while most other streams are routinely stocked, including areas of the Cherokee Indian Reservation with trophy-size trout.

Trout are also common in the county’s four rivers — the Nantahala, Oconaluftee, Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee. Two of those, the Tuck and the Little T, offer much more, including 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. And many believe it’s one of the best smallmouth bass fishing lakes in the country.

DELAYED HARVEST SECTION NC Wildlife Resources Commission has designated 2.2 miles of the Tuckasegee River in downtown Bryson City as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. Learn more

BRYSON CITY HOME TO Fly Fishing Museum & Aquarium

The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians is located 210 Main Street, across from the Swain County Visitor Center. More information on the museum. The Appalachian Rivers Aquarium is located at 117 Island Street on the Tuckasegee River. More information on the aquarium.