Fishing By Season
Spring
Fish and Wildlife restart stocking programs in rivers. Beginning in April, all of the hatchery supported streams will provide excellent fishing opportunities. Some of the best spring fishing can be found at the mouth of the streams coming into Fontana Lake.
Fishing By Season
Summer
The Tuckasegee is a great stream to find brim, red eye bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass. The Little Tennessee is considered one of the best smallmouth streams in the Southeast. The Upper Nantahala has great wade fishing water; downstream the best way to fish is to do a float trip.
Fishing By Season
Fall
The Delayed Harvest water on the Tuckasegee River through Bryson City is well stocked, with one of the highest trout counts per mile in the Southeast. Larger baits and slower presentations are key on Fontana Lake in the Fall.
Fishing By Season
Winter
Many streams are stocked in early October and the beginning of November for winter fishing. National Park waters, which are open all year, fish well through the winter. Fish the mouth of the tributary streams and you might find a large brown trout heading upstream to spawn.