Oconaluftee River
THE OCONALUFTEE RIVER is a large stream by Smokies’ standards with diverse water types, great roadside access, and great fishing. The headwaters are near Newfound Gap, elevation 5,048 ft., in the National Park. The river flows rapidly, dropping elevation quickly and picking up numerous tributaries along the way to the confluence near Cherokee. The Oconaluftee River is known for holding large brown trout in the lower elevations along with many aggressive rainbow trout. Once upriver into the Beech Flats section you will find Southern Appalachian strain brook trout.
OCONALUFTEE RIVER in Cherokee is stocked twice each week by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee manages their own fish hatchery and maintains one of the heaviest stocked trout streams in all of the Southeastern US. This section of river is managed as a "Put and Take "fishery. You are permitted to keep 10 fish per license holder, with no size limit or bait restriction. Current regulations require that you keep each fish you catch up until the point you reach your limit of trout.
Access is phenomenal along the entire length of the river. Cherokee maintains areas from which to access the river to fish, including an island park, handicap access locations, and numerous access points with ample parking. The Oconaluftee River is a great place to take the kids for a family day of fishing fun!
THE OCONALUFTEE RIVER is a large stream by Smokies’ standards with diverse water types, great roadside access, and great fishing. The headwaters are near Newfound Gap, elevation 5,048 ft., in the National Park. The river flows rapidly, dropping elevation quickly and picking up numerous tributaries along the way to the confluence near Cherokee. The Oconaluftee River is known for holding large brown trout in the lower elevations along with many aggressive rainbow trout. Once upriver into the Beech Flats section you will find Southern Appalachian strain brook trout.
OCONALUFTEE RIVER in Cherokee is stocked twice each week by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee manages their own fish hatchery and maintains one of the heaviest stocked trout streams in all of the Southeastern US. This section of river is managed as a "Put and Take "fishery. You are permitted to keep 10 fish per license holder, with no size limit or bait restriction. Current regulations require that you keep each fish you catch up until the point you reach your limit of trout.
Access is phenomenal along the entire length of the river. Cherokee maintains areas from which to access the river to fish, including an island park, handicap access locations, and numerous access points with ample parking. The Oconaluftee River is a great place to take the kids for a family day of fishing fun!
Fishing Access Type:
Boat N
Kayak N
Wading Y
Boat N
Kayak N
Wading Y
Fishing Access:
Upper Section
Access is easy from the Newfoundland Gap Road (RT 441) which leads from Cherokee, North Carolina to Gatlinburg, TN. There are several good pull offs that are near the stream in the lower elevations. In the higher elevations, it will be necessary to walk a little farther.
Lower Section
Map
Upper Section
Access is easy from the Newfoundland Gap Road (RT 441) which leads from Cherokee, North Carolina to Gatlinburg, TN. There are several good pull offs that are near the stream in the lower elevations. In the higher elevations, it will be necessary to walk a little farther.
Lower Section
Map
Fishing Style:
Nymph
Dry Fly
Spinner Fall
Terrestrials
Streamers
Nymph
Dry Fly
Spinner Fall
Terrestrials
Streamers
Equipment:
10' or 11' 3wt rod
10' or 11' 4wt rod
9' 5wt rod
10' or 11' 3wt rod
10' or 11' 4wt rod
9' 5wt rod
Flies: Hatch Chart
Water Flow: Data
Species: Rainbow and Brown with Occasional Brookies in Beech Flats Prong
Misc. Information: Fishing License
