When Is The Catch-and-Release Only Season In The Smokies

The thrill of the catch is just the beginning for many anglers. As more people learn the ropes of fly fishing and rod handling, catch and release becomes their first real lesson in stewardship. The Great Smoky Mountains, known for their pristine waters and abundant native fish species, offer some of the finest trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the country. But you can’t just grab your rod and hit the water anytime. That’s why understanding when the catch-and-release-only season is in the Smokies is crucial. If you want to fish the right way and at the right time, keep reading.
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Gatlinburg’s Catch-and-Release Only Period

Gatlinburg waters, nestled just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, operate under a specific catch-and-release season. Each year, this regulation kicks in from December 1 through March 31.
During this time, all fish caught within the city limits must be released immediately, no exceptions, no fish fries, no debates. The rule helps sustain healthy fish populations through the winter and gives rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout a chance to recover from peak fishing pressure. You’ll still enjoy plenty of action, but you’ll be sending every fish back home, not to the cooler.
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Where Catch & Release Rules Apply

The release season mainly covers Gatlinburg streams within the city limits, especially those stocked by the local trout rearing facility. Key waters include Dudley Creek, LeConte Creek, and the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, stretching from the Gatlinburg bypass bridge downstream to the national park boundary.
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These streams are some of the best-managed trout waters in East Tennessee. Thanks to Gatlinburg’s municipal trout farm thousands of fish are raised and released right into these urban creeks, keeping the action hot year-round, even when the temps drop.
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Permit, License, & Legal Must-Haves

Fishing in Gatlinburg requires more than just showing up with a fly rod. First, you’ll need a valid Tennessee fishing license, issued by the TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency). Options vary for residents and non-residents, including annual licenses, senior permits, or short-term trout permits.

If you plan to fish within Gatlinburg city waters, you’ll also need a daily trout permit in addition to your state license, even if you just catch-and-release. Think of it as your ticket to play by the rules. Keep both your state and city-issued permits on you at all times, or you might end your trip talking to a wildlife officer instead of talking about your last catch.
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Techniques Allowed During the Release Season

During the catch-and-release-only window, the rules get tighter, only artificial lures with single hooks are allowed. That means no bait, no fish eggs, and certainly no worms. It’s a “fly or die” kind of situation.
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This is where fly fishing shines. The technique allows for a softer presentation, less handling, and a cleaner release. If you’re learning how to finesse a cast, the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River or the upper Prong sections offer a great classroom. With clear water and clever fish, these streams will teach you humility and reward your patience, often in the same hour.
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Streams for the Next Generation

Some Gatlinburg streams are set aside as children’s fishing zones, reserved for kids under 12 with a single rod each. These areas are kept well-stocked by the trout farm and serve as a perfect spot to introduce the next generation of anglers to trout fishing.

From Herbert Holt Park to sections of the West Prong, young fishers can get their first taste of casting, catching, and the joy of releasing. These early lessons prepare kids for the wider world of wild fish and deeper rivers waiting inside the National Park.
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Trout Fishing Inside the National Park

Step beyond the city boundary into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the game changes. These are wild trout streams, not stocked waters, and fishing is permitted year-round. You won’t need a city permit here, just a valid state fishing license.
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The catch here is that these waters require respect and restraint. Brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout have made their home in these creeks long before the first fly reel ever spun. So while you can fish the trout, do it with care. Here, the real prize is fishing in water that’s remained untouched for centuries.
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Fishing in Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg stands tall as a go-to destination for trout anglers. From December to March, its catch-and-release season turns every outing into a conservation effort. Come April, harvesting rules return, and within legal limits, you can take home your prize.

Whether you’re casting into the Little Pigeon River, stalking a deep pool in LeConte Creek, or helping your kids land their first fish in Herbert Holt Park, Gatlinburg has a stream for every angler. And if you’re new to the area, professional fly fishing guides can walk you through local rules and help you find fish faster than you can tie a clinch knot.
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Why This Fishing Season Exists

The catch-and-release season in the Smokies is about preserving a legacy. It protects vulnerable species like brookies and wild brown trout, giving them a fighting chance during critical months of rest and spawn.

Thanks to Gatlinburg’s close partnership with the TWRA and its own municipal trout farm, this effort keeps streams well-stocked and ecologically balanced. Anglers play a key role, too. Every fish gently released keeps the river alive for the next cast and the next generation.
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Know the Season, Respect the Rules, Catch with Purpose

So, when is the catch-and-release-only season in the Smokies? From December 1 to March 31, anglers in Gatlinburg must release every trout they catch and follow strict regulations designed to protect the ecosystem.

Whether you’re knee-deep in Dudley Creek or drifting a fly across the West Prong, this season is your chance to give back to the river while still enjoying its bounty. Let the water school you, the fish test you, and the experience change you. That’s what fly fishing in the Smokies is really all about.
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Frontier Anglers TN: Local Waters, Gentle Approach

Catch-and-release is a tradition rooted in preserving wild waters and native trout in the Great Smoky Mountains. Frontier Anglers TN guide with that same respect. Our licensed guides know where the fish are holding and how to approach them without harm.

We provide the gear, local insight, and gentle handling techniques to make your trip rewarding and responsible. Book your trip today and experience ethical angling done right. Contact us!
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