Planning a trip to the mountains this summer, and we'll have several kids with us who can fish all day and night. They've made it clear they want to fish while up there.

Looks like we'll be halfway between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, but willing to drive if there are some good spots for kids. Anybody got any suggestions?

we got a guide last time I was up there, out of the Smoky Mountain Angler fly shop. He supplied all the tackle, we just showed up with waders. Wish I could remember where he took us, it was fun. Not far out of town, and down on the creek between the roads is all I remember about it.

I would drive on over to the Cherokee reservation. They stock their waters over there. You do have to get a permit specific to the reservation and abide by their rules. It's been a while since I did that, so you might read up on it. Plus, it's a nice drive over the mountain.

The river in Gatlinburg is stocked too. They stock on Thursday's and fishing is closed.

There's a children's stream area, right next to the hatchery, just as you come into Gatlinburg that is heavily stocked. I think the age limit is 12 in the children's streams. It would definitely be worth checking into if you're looking for an easy access place for kids.

I would also look at going to Greenbriar. Take 321 ( East Parkway ) going out of Gatlinburg for about 6 or 7 miles maybe and turn right into the park at the Greenbriar signs. The river runs parallel to the road for a pretty good ways and you can generally do pretty well with trout. There is a very nice pavillion area for a family lunch. Lots of hiking around there also.

If you want, there is Douglas lake which is pretty close also. You can fish below the dam for stripe and whatnot. The Pigeon River is a pretty good fishery for smallmouth if the kids are big enough to wade.

If you fish in the park you cannot use treble hooks or natural bait.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

With kids, go to Cherokee.

Cherokee has some easy fishing with great access. You'll need to plan at least a day for that, but it's very well worth it for the kids. If you don't want to drive that far and the kids are old enough to navigate some rougher terrain, they stock rainbows at the bridge right before 416 turns off of Hwy 321. A can of whole kernel corn, a jar of salmon eggs, a few tiny inline spinners, trout bites, or for the fly rod an Adams parachute should load up their limits of trout in short order. I have caught a decent Brown trout about a mile downstream from there. Before fishing close to any of the stocking sites, you had better check the regs, about when it is ok to fish there. Fishing up in the park can be tougher because they don't stock farm fish unless they stock Brookies. I'm not sure about that.

Every bridge in Gatlinburg is stocked twice a week with Rainbow Trout for fishing.

Great info. Me, my kids and their friends appreciate y'alls help. They're gonna have a blast.

I'll probably take a Bar-Nunn poppin' bug to the ear.

Be careful to follow the regulations about hooks and bait if you are fishing in the National Park.

I use to fish in Walland. Perry's Mill and above. Great fishing.