For untold centuries the streams and rivers of the Great Smokies have provided the Cherokee people with a bountiful source of food. Today, the 30 miles of streams on the Cherokee Indian Reservation provide both food and fun for serious and amateur anglers. Regular stocking of the streams is the responsibility of Cherokee Fish and Game Management that each year adds nearly 400,000 trout to an existing population of fish swimming in the crystal clear mountain waters.
These supplemental stockings include rainbow, brook and brown trout of various sizes ranging up to trophy size. A $10.00 tribal permit for each person 12 years of age and over is required to fish in Cherokee streams and ponds. Children under twelve are allowed to fish with a permitted adult. Two, three, and five-day permits are available at a reduced rate and a season's permit costs $250.00. No other type of fishing license is required nor accepted on the reservation.
Several businesses in Cherokee are authorized outlets for fishing permits. Fishing in Cherokee is open year round with the last Saturday in March serving as the ceremonial opening day.
Throughout the season, fishing is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Creek limit is ten trout per day per permit holder. For those interested in experiencing fishing on the reservation but wish to avoid the streams, three well-stocked ponds are located on Big Cove Road in front of the KOA Campground.
A tribal permit is required to fish in the ponds and the same hours apply as for the streams.
Fish Cherokee Events
EBCI Fish and Wildlife Management and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Partnered Fishing Events for 2013
Catch and Release info
The tribe's Enterprise Waters, overseen by the Fisheries and Wildlife Management, are legendary for large fish and a full-limit catch - limit is 10 fish per day, per permit.
Permits / Regulations
Only a tribal permit is required to fish within the Reservation property, known as the Qualla Boundary. Outside the Boundary you must have a valid NC State fishing license.
About Fish Cherokee
From competitive fly fishing tournaments to tagged fishing tournaments to daily fishing on some of the best fishing waters in the United States. Cherokee has it all and FishCherokee.com is the source.
Fish Cherokee News
The Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly Fishing Tournament
November 1, 2, & 3 - 2013
$225 entry fee
$10,000 in prize money awarded to 1st place team ($5,000), 2nd place team ($3,000) and 3rd place team ($2,000) This two person team fly fishing competition is held on the 2.2 miles of Trophy, Catch-and-Release water on the Cherokee Reservation. A modified fips mouche format will be used with a tag out system being incorporated as only one team member may fish at a time. Fishing sessions are three hours long. Registration fee includes tournament registration for two people, competitor swag, several meals during the competition and more.
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The Shiver in the River Trout Fishing Tournament
February 1, 2, 3 - 2013
$11 entry fee
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.
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Third Second Annual Cherokee Opening Day Trout Fishing Tournament
March 29, 30 - 2013
$5 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.
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Cherokee's Summer Kickoff Trout Fishing Tournament
April 26, 27, & 28 - 2013
$11 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.
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Cherokee's Memorial Holiday Trout Fishing Tournament
May 31-June 1,2 - 2013
$11 entry fee
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.
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Cherokee's Midsummer Trout Fishing Tournament
July 12, 13, & 14 - 2013
$11 entry fee
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.
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Cherokee's End of Summer Trout Fishing Tournament
September 6, 7 & 8 - 2013
$11 entry fee
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.
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