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Jackson County offers a wide range of fishing
opportunities. The Tuckasegee River, Jackson County's largest body of water, was
called "Western North Carolina's best trout stream for fly anglers,"
by the Charlotte Observer, and scores of smaller streams offer many more
opportunities. Fishing is also available on the Cherokee Indian Reservation,
inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on any of Jackson County's
several mountain lakes. Fishermen have good success in search of rainbow, brown
and native brook trout, bass, bream, walleye and crappie. Cherokee Indian Reservation You can choose from hundreds of fishing spots from secluded to easy access trout ponds on the Cherokee Reservation in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Qualla Boundary has more than 30 miles of clear trout streams and three easily accessible ponds that are stocked twice each week with rainbow, brook and brown trout. One quarter million are stocked annually, including thousands of trophy size trout. Cherokee Tribal Hatchery The trout are produced at the Cherokee Tribal Trout Hatchery, located on Straight Fork in the Big Cove Community. Visitors are welcome from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Permits A state of North Carolina fishing permit is not required on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, but a Tribal fishing permit ($7) is required. Children under 12 are not required to have a permit, but must be accompanied by a permitted adult. Permits are for one to five days or are seasonal, and can be purchased at dozens of Cherokee businesses. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fishing has been a part of the historic use of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park since its creation. The native brook trout was originally present in most streams above 2000 feet elevation. Extensive logging operations in the early 1900s caused contamination of over 160 miles of clear mountain streams, eliminating the brook trout from about 50% of its original range. Park Regulations Licensing Persons possessing a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license may fish all open park waters. A license is required of all persons age 16 or older. Persons under age 16 are entitled to the daily adult bag and possession limit, and are subject to all regulations. Senior citizen licensing is available. The Park does not sell fishing licenses. Licenses are obtainble in surrounding communities, outside the park. Season Fishing is permitted year-around in open waters. Time Fishing is allowed from one half hour before official sunrise to one half hour after official sunset. Daily Possession Limits The possession of brook trout is prohibited. Five (5) rainbow or brown trout, smallmouth bass, or a combintaion 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. Twenty (20) rockbass (redeye) may be kept in addition to the above limit. A person must stop fishing immediately after obtaining the limit. Size Limits Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-inch minimum. Smallmouth Bass: 7-inch minimum. Rockbass (Redeye): No minimum. All trout or smallmouth bass caught less than the legal length shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken. Any brook trout must be returned immediately to the water, unharmed. Lures, Bait and Equipment Hand-held rods only. Artificial flies and lures. One hook only. Fishermen may not possess fish bait or liquid scent. The use or possession of double, treble or gang hooks is prohibited. Fishing tackle and equipment including creels and fish in possession are subject to inspection.
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