Gone Fishing 21
Gone Fishing !
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 , a Bill Dance Signature Lake , is located less than 20 miles northeast of Pigeon Forge .
A valid Tennessee Fishing License is required regardless of where you choose to fish . 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
“ Sharing the fun of fishing turns strangers into friends in a few hours .”
- Eugenie Clark
Fishing License
You can purchase a Tennessee Fishing license online at www . gooutdoorstennessee . com or from J & B Market located at 4250 Parkway , Pigeon Forge .
More information , including a list of fishing regulations can be found at nps . gov / grsm for national park waters or tn . gov / twra for area stream and lake fishing .
Tennessee Free Fishing Day
Interested in giving fishing a try ? Every June , Tennessee State Parks offer two opportunities to fish for free and without a license . Free Fishing Day is June 7 , 2025 and is open to anyone . Free fishing week is June 7-13 , 2025 , and allows children ages 15 and younger to fish for free .
A free children ’ s First Fish Certificate is available to download at www . tnwildlife . org and commemorates the day they caught their first fish .