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GONE FISHING
GONE FISHING !
“ Fishing is not an escape from life , but often a deeper immersion into it .”
- Harry Middleton
Whether you ’ re an avid fisherman or just testing the waters , East Tennessee is home to some of the finest fishing in the country . Our area offers opportunities to drop a line in Great Smoky Mountains National Park , the Little Pigeon River , and Douglas Lake , the latter located only a few miles northeast of Pigeon Forge .
A valid Tennessee Fishing License is required regardless of where you choose to drop your line . A license is also required if you attempt to take fish ( including crayfish ) by any method or if you assist anyone else to do so .
EXEMPTIONS
• You are under 13 years of age ( resident or non-resident ) in Tennessee or North Carolina
• You are on military leave , carrying a copy of your leave orders ; a pass does not meet this requirement
• You are a resident of Tennessee born before March 1 , 1926 ; to qualify for this exemption you must carry proof of age and residency to show a park ranger or TWRA officer , if requested
FISHING LICENSE
You can purchase a Tennessee Fishing License online at www . gooutdoorstennessee . com or from the following Pigeon Forge business :
J & B MARKET
4250 Parkway
More information , including a list of fishing regulations , can be found at nps . gov / grsm or tn . gov / twra or https :// www . tn . gov / content / tn / twra . html .
TENNESSEE FREE FISHING DAYS
Interested in giving fishing a try ? Any Tennessee resident or non-resident of any age is permitted to fish without a license on June 11 , 2022 , in Tennessee ’ s public waters , agency owned and operated lakes , and Tennessee state parks . Children 15 and under are allowed to fish for free without a license June 13-17 , 2022 , in Tennessee ’ s public waters , agency owned and operated lakes , and Tennessee state parks . A free children ’ s First Fish Certificate is available to download and commemorates the day they caught their first fish . Learn more about fishing programs in Tennessee at www . tnwildlife . org .