Swain County has uncountable miles of cold trout streams where both rainbow and brown are caught, some of record size. Brown trout upward of 30 inches have been caught in the Nantahala River and both brown and rainbow trout of 24 inches are not uncommon. Streams such as Hazel Creek inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are famous among trout fishermen.

Cooper Creek Trout Farm
3365 Cooper Creek Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
828-488-6836

Free admission and $3.00/lb for your catch. Unlimited catch, no license required, and free bait and tackle available. Your catch is cleaned and packed at no charge. Groups are welcome and there is a special "Kids' Korner" play area.

Located off US 19, 5 miles west of Cherokee, 4 miles east of Bryson City. Turn at Cooper Creek Road (by Cooper Creek General Store). Go exactly 3.3 miles, following the creek. Stay to the right when the pavement ends. The road ends at the trout farm.

Cherokee Trout Fishing
Fish and Game Management Enterprise of the Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians
PO Box 302, Cherokee, NC 28719
828-497-5201 or 1-800-438-1601

30 miles of clear trout streams which are stocked annually with rainbow, brook, and brown trout. 3 easily accessible trout ponds stocked twice each week. A $7 per day tribal fishing permit is required. Permits may be purchased from more than two dozen places on the reservation.