Lake Fishing Adventures

“It was a chilly October morning when my husband and I loaded our boat with rods and reels. The cooler was stocked with a picnic lunch of fried chicken and potato salad along with cold drinks. We had breakfast sandwiches and a thermos of coffee in hand as we quietly left the Log Cabin at Settlers Mountain for a day of fishing on Nantahala Lake. Today was our 40th wedding anniversary and we had planned this outing since July. In the pre-dawn hour we rode along, quietly chatting about all the fish we were going to catch, watching the road ahead hoping for a glimpse of deer or fox or any other woodland creature that might be out and about at that early hour. Arriving at Nantahala Lake, the boat was launched, we donned our warm coats and set sail…. “

Lake fishing around Settlers Mountain offers an angler many diversified opportunities to test their skill. From the cold deep waters of Lake Fontana to the countless streams and rivers, there is no shortage of fishable water.

Licenses

Whether you fish from shore or boat you will need a visitors fishing license and trout stamp if you target trout. These can be purchased online at http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_01_license.htm , by telephone at 1-888-248-6834 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. using your credit/debit card or at several establishments in Bryson City on a cash only basis. Fishing regulations can be downloaded at http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_02_regulations.htm

Please note that while fishing is allowed within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required.

Boat Rental

At Fontana Lake, boat rentals are available at Almond boat dock where they have either a 16’ Carolina skiff with a 20 hp motor or, for larger parties, a 10 person pontoon boat can be rented by the ½ day or full day.

Fishing Guides

½ day and full day guided fishing trips can be arranged through Settlers Mountain Adventures.

FONTANA LAKE

The 29-mile long, 11,700-acre Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Lake has more than 240 miles of shoreline. And its deep, cold waters provide the ideal habitat for a variety of fish. Record size muskie and walleye have been pulled from its depths. Many believe it’s one of the best smallmouth bass fishing lakes in the country, including the Fisherman’s Bass Tournament Circuit, which held its annual Hall of Fame Classic at Fontana in fall 2001.

Fontana Lake is unique in many ways. Unlike most lakes in the area, shoreline development has been kept to a minimum. More than 90 percent of the land around the Lake is owned by either the National Park Service or the US Forest Service. Maps of the Lake are available at local fishing stores.

Fontana Lake provides a number of recreational diversions including fishing, boating and water skiing. And the scenery from the lake is unmatched. Those fortunate enough to go boating on Fontana Lake have a unique perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At places the view is unobstructed from the lake level to the top of towering Clingmans Dome, the Park's highest peak. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the shoreline. Bears and deer are often sighted along the shore in early evening.

Public Boat Ramps

If you're towing your own boat, TVA has several public access areas; two are close to Bryson City. The Old 288 ramp is west of town; turn off Everett Street next to the Family Dollar Store and continue several miles staying next to the Tuckasegee River. The Lemons Branch ramp is west of town; follow Highway 74, then turn North on Highway 28; look for the Tsali Recreation Area on your right and follow signs to boat launch.

NANTAHALA LAKE

The Nantahala reservoir is located in Macon County on the Wayah Ranger District. This reservoir is regulated and maintained by Duke Power Company. Some of the shoreline is owned by the public and managed by the Nantahala National Forest and NCWRC. There is one public boating access area, which is maintained by the NCWRC. Although fish in the reservoir include walleye, crappie, sunfish, trout and both large and small mouth bass, there are noticeably fewer fishermen/women then at Lake Fontana.

The views from this lake are breathtaking. Don’t forget to take your camera.

Access

From the junction of Hwy 19 23 and Hwy 28 north take Hwy 19 to the Nantahala River Launch Site to NC1310. Follow NC1310 to SR308 on right. Take SR308 to FS67. After you pass the Apple Tree Campground take SR1401 then back onto FS67. Follow signs to boating access area.

Primitive camping is allowed on public National Forest Lands except where no camping signs are posted.