Come fish the crystal clear waters of Cherokee, brimming with brook, large browns, and rainbow trout. A precious natural resource, the abundantly trout-filled stream system in Cherokee connects 30 miles of freestone streams that include secluded forest settings, suburban roadside areas, and even the Cherokee town center. Renowned for 18-inch and above record-size trout Cherokee’s 30 miles of accessible fishing water is the single largest managed trout fishery in the eastern states. A number of shops and stores offer authorized fishing permits, and a growing number of tackle shops supply both expert and novice gear including flies, tackle, and bait.
The Trophy Trout Fly-fishing season in Cherokee is open year-round with no closure dates. fishing waters close briefly each year just prior to the official opening day of the season which is the last Saturday of March. If you are searching for the best information on trout fishing in Cherokee then visit Fish Cherokee, a great resource for staying up to date on upcoming tournaments. Bring yourself, your friends, or even the whole family and explore the awesome experience of trout fishing in NC.
Don’t forget to also purchase the additional special use permit that gives you access to The Haven, a section of the Raven Fork set aside for catch and release only. Raven Fork is a pristine freestone stream that flows directly from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is your chance to enjoy some of the best trout fishing North Carolina offers
Meet your adversaries:
Regular stocking of the streams is the responsibility of Cherokee Fisheries and Wildlife Management, which each year adds nearly 250,000 trout to an existing population of fish swimming in our crystal-clear mountain waters. That’s the highest density of fish in stocked waters in the east. These supplemental stockings include rainbow, brook, and brown trout of various sizes ranging up to trophy size.
The only native trout found in these mountain waters, the Brookie ranges between 6–18” when fully grown. It’s found in cold waters (bring your hip waders!), like those running through narrow streams. You’ll know it by its red spots and light red fins with white edges.
Don’t let the name fool you. This trout variety can be brown, but also olive, and often has green, orange, and red spots encircled in yellow or white. They like to live near fallen trees or boulders in large pools, and can be found under shaded banks. The big ones can reach 18–26”, weighing as much as 6–16 lbs
The newest neighbor to our waters, Goldens were spawned in 1954 and are uniquely prized as a trophy fish. Known for their unmistakable bright golden hue, they’re similar in size and behavior to large browns and Rainbows.
The most commonly found stocked fish in these waters, the Rainbow displays a wide lateral pink to red stripe on its side, dark olive on its back, light colors on its belly, and is speckled overall. It’s predominantly found in riffles and swift runs, as well as in open waters.
