Trout Species: Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout- Angler Type: Wade
- Access Type: Public
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Description
Little River in GSMNP is surrounded by an immense amount of history. Some of the first people to live inside the park boundaries, before the park was established, lived inside the Little River watershed. Today Elkmont Campground is a popular place for people to stay. Most are just weekend warriors and do not fish much if at all. With the exception of summer time there is plenty of good water near the road to fish. Summer usually brings out the swimmers and tubers, so plan on doing a little hiking to get upstream of the masses.
Officially the East Prong of Little River. However most maps and fisherman simply refer to it as Little River. One of the main tributaries of Little River is Fish Camp. Fish Camp splits off of the East Prong of Little River almost four miles up the from the start of Little River Trail found just above Elkmont Campground. The split is just below back country campsite number 24. You can find Brook trout in these upper tributaries and great Rainbow and Brown trout fishing in it’s lower reaches from Elkmont Campground to it’s confluence with the Middle and West Prongs of Little River.
Please practice safe wading practices and be sure to check the conditions before you go.
Suggested Flies
- January: Blue Wing Olive, Little Black Stone, Midges, Stone Fly Nymphs and Mayfly Nymphs
- Feburary: Blue Wing Olive, Little Black Stone, Midges, Stone Fly Nymphs and Mayfly Nymphs
- March: Blue Wing Olive, Quill Gordon, Blue Quill, Black Stone, Brown Stone, Tan Caddis, Hendrickson
- April: Hendrickson, Quill Gordon, Blue Quill, Brown Stone, March Brown, Yellow Stone Fly, Light Cahill
- May: Yellow Stone Fly, March Brown, Light Cahill, Sulphur, Green Drake
- June: Light Cahill, Yellow Stone Fly, Sulphur, Little Green Stone Fly, Tan Caddis
- July: Light Cahill, Sulphur, Yellow Stone Fly, Terrestrials
- August: Terrestrials, Light Cahill, Sulphur
- September: Terrestrials, Light Cahill, Sulphur
- October: Sulphur, October Caddis, Blue Wing Olive, Midges
- November: Blue Wing Olive, Stone Fly Nymphs and Mayfly Nymphs
- December: Blue Wing Olive, Little Black Stone, Midgesd
Suggested Rods/Reels/Lines
There are many opinions for the right outfit for the park. However something in the middle will get you by with just about any type of fishing that you will encounter in the park. Anything from a 7 foot 6 inch 3wt to a 8 foot 6 inch 5wt will get the job done.
2010 Regulations
Five (5) brook, rainbow or brown trout, smallmouth bass, or a combination of these, each day or in possession, regardless of whether they are fresh, stored in an ice chest, or otherwise preserved. The combined total must not exceed five fish.
- 7 inch minimum on Brook, Rainbow, and Brown trout, as well as Smallmouth Bass
- Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters.
- Fishing is allowed from a half hour before official sunrise to a half hour after official sunset.
- Only artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. Dropper flies may be used. Up to two flies on a leader.
- You must have a valid Tennessee or North Carolina Fishing License also
For more information on daily creel limits and additional information please refer to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Fishing website
Click here to purchase a Tennessee Fishing License
Public Access Points
- Little River Trail
- Little River Road
Click here for maps of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Getting There
From interstate highway I-40 take Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN-66 South. At the Sevierville intersection, continue straight onto US-441 South. Follow US-441 through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge into park.
