Calling all anglers – don’t put your rods away just because it’s winter. There’s fantastic year-round fishing in the Smoky Mountains, and you’ll find a peaceful retreat with hungry fish all winter long in Maggie Valley.

Picture it now: you cast your line into the clear waters of a stream that peacefully cuts its way through snow covered banks. The only sounds are the burbling of the water and the soft wind blowing through the evergreens when you feel the tug on the end of your line. There’s no better way to experience winter than trout fishing near Maggie Valley. Just be sure to dress in layers and bundle up!

What Makes Winter Fishing Near Maggie Valley So Great?

The streams around Maggie Valley are home to wild Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout. And these big fish love cold weather. Big trout are typically nocturnal feeders, but in winter they switch habits and feed during the day when the most food is available. Winter is spawning season, and the water is filled with hungry fish who will chomp down on one tasty fly after another.

Try your hand at either wading or drift boat fishing. Wade fishing allows you to focus your efforts on specific riffles and runs, where you can use a combination of dry flies and nymphs to catch big trout. Or hop into a drift boat to cover more miles, get access to thousands of fish, and – maybe most important – stay dry and warm.

Best Spots for Winter Trout Fishing Near Maggie Valley

Jonathan Creek

Running right past the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, you’ll find the rippling waters of Jonathan Creek, part of the Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Our motel’s beautiful recreation area that stretches 200 feet along the banks of the creek comes complete with picnic tables, a fire pit, and a 24×40-foot outdoor pavilion, where you can hear live music every Saturday night along with other Smoky Mountain Heritage Center events.

You’ll find brook, brown, or rainbow trout in this hatchery supported trout stream. There are no bait or lure restrictions, but here’s a local pro’s tip for you – use smaller-size 12-14 dry flies that are able to support a nymph dropper. Plus, spots like Elevated Mountain Distilling Company are right down the road, where you can warm up with a hot toddy, making this an ideal winter fishing spot.

Cataloochee Creek

Cataloochee Creek is really more of a small river than a creek. Head to the lower sections of the creek where you’ll enjoy wide, roomy areas to cast your line for brown trout. Bonus – there’s a good chance you’ll see some wild elk here. In 2001, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park re-introduced an elk herd in the valley, and the Cataloochee area is a prime elk watching spot.

East Fork Pigeon River

Cascading more than 5,500 feet in elevation from its headwaters, the East Fork offers nearly 8 miles of pristine wilderness trout fishing in some of the most stunning and picturesque water you’ll find near Maggie Valley. The river’s upper end boasts some pretty steep flows, where even anglers in good physical condition should take precaution, especially in the winter. The lower end is flatter and wider with much calmer water flow and plenty of public access. With multiple tributaries, the East Fork becomes a decent sized river by the time it crosses off the eastern edge of Shining Rock Wilderness Area.

Deep Creek

Head a little further outside of Maggie Valley toward Bryson City, NC and you’ll discover Deep Creek, one of the top fly fishing destinations in the entire Smoky Mountains – even during winter. You’ll find native brook trout and browns that are hungry for dry flies and streamers. When you’re not casting a line in the water, head into Bryson City – just a 15-minute drive away – and take a tour of the Southern Appalachian Museum of Fly Fishing. Then grab a craft beer and dinner as you tell tales of the big one you caught earlier.

Fontana Lake

Don’t leave the Bryson City area before stopping by Fontana Lake. It’s the perfect spot for winter fly fishing, especially if you’d rather get out of the water and fish from a boat. Surrounded by beautiful, wooded hills, the lake is a peaceful and relaxing destination to hide away for the weekend. This otherworldly lake is home to top-notch walleye fishing, and because it’s winter, there’s a good chance you’ll have the whole lake to yourself!

Do I need a Fishing License to Go Winter Fishing Near Maggie Valley?

The state of North Carolina does require a fishing license, and there are special rules for fishing in national parks and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Visit the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website for specific details.) in the resources below.

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 $8.00.

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?

After an invigorating day reeling in the big one, return to your cabin at the Meadowlark Motel as the perfect home base for your winter fishing adventure in Maggie Valley!