Fly & Trout Fishing Near Maggie Valley, NC

It’s time for fishing in the NC mountains and in Maggie Valley! Did you know that you can fish for trout in every season (even winter) and that trout can be taken year-round in Maggie Valley? Or that fall is the best time to catch Big Brown Trout and also the most scenic because of the brilliant fall leaf colors? From the annual Trout Derby in Cherokee, to the famous Western NC trout trail, to the Mountain Heritage Trout stream called Jonathan Creek running through the back yard of the Meadowlark Motel, there is always a good time to set up camp at our Motel and start your fishing adventures in the Smoky Mountains.

Fly Fishing and Trout Fishing at the Meadowlark Motel and in Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley is designated as a North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout City and the three-mile section of Jonathan Creek that flows through the town is a hatchery-supported trout water. There are public access points on Jonathan Creek, as well as many private access points. One of those access points is the back yard of the Meadowlark Motel. Guests of Meadowlark Motel can enjoy trout fishing as much as they like. The motel has a beautiful recreation area with 200 feet along the banks of the creek, complete with a 24X40-foot outdoor pavilion with a kitchen that guests can use, as well as outdoor furniture, picnic tables and a fire pit. They have a seasonal outdoor pool, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of accommodations, from guest rooms to a cozy cabin.

Haywood County Trout Streams

Haywood County (which includes Maggie Valley and Waynesville) is home to a number of trout streams. These include Jonathan Creek (lower and upper ends) and Cold Creek in the hatchery-supported group, and Cataloochee Creek and Little East Pidgeon Fork River in the wild trout group. All of these creeks are ideal for trout fishing and fly fishing.

What You Need for Fishing in Haywood County & Maggie Valley

The state of North Carolina does require a fishing license. Also, there are special rules for fishing in national parks and the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can see the full PDF by visiting the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website in the resources below. But, if you don’t have, want or need a full fishing license allowing you to fish anywhere inland, consider the easy-to-obtain 3-day Mountain Heritage Trout Waters license. According to Blue Ridge Outdoors:

“Both residents and non-residents of North Carolina who want to fish the designated Mountain Heritage Trout Waters can purchase a 3-day license…”

This special license gives you a three-day pass to fish in any of the waters designated as “Mountain Heritage Trout Waters,” in Maggie Valley, NC, and Waynesville, NC, and it can be easily obtained online at ncwildlife.org, or by phone at 888-248-6834. The cost at present is $7.00.

Also, according to Visit NC Smokies, if you don’t have a rod or tackle, and don’t have time or inclination to buy your own, you can stop by the Visitor Center of Haywood County (1110 Soco Road) and they’ll give you a free tackle box with lures and flies and lend you a fly rod or spinner rod! How’s that for being downright neighborly?

Resources:

Haywood County Fishing Reports, Fishing Times, Licensing and Campgrounds

NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Fishing Regulations: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/Laws-Safety/Fishing-Regulations

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1707 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1707
(919) 707-0391

3-day Heritage Trout Fishing License: Online at ncwildlife.org, or by phone at 888-248-6834.

Fly Fish Haywood County, NC, by Blue Ridge Outdoors: http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/sponsored-content/fly-fish-haywood-county-north-carolina/

Visit NC Smokies, Heritage Trout Fishing Locations: https://visitncsmokies.com/attractions/mountain-heritage-trout-waters/

###

Photo by Zach Reiner on Unsplash