Gatlinburg Trout Facility

Gatlinburg Trout Facility Herbert Holt Park is the location of Gatlinburg's Trout Facility. No fishing is allowed on Thursday. All other fishing regulations apply.

The facility is managed to maintain a trout fishery within the city limits of Gatlinburg, TN and a portion of the water along "the Spur" between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Fish raised at the facility are transported throughout and stocked into the city's waters on Thursday. The waters around the park, including a short distance upstream and downstream, are designated as "children only." The park also provides a handicap-accessible fishing pier within this section of children only waters. The pier allows wheelchair-bound individuals to get right down next to the river to fish, and is unique because it is one of only a few handicap fishing piers on freestone trout streams in the state. The pier is restricted to children as well as wheelchair-bound people of all ages. The West Prong of the Little Pigeon River is the main waterway that travels through Gatlinburg's city limits. It is accessible to fishermen within the Gatlinburg city limits from just downstream of the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on U.S. 441 through town up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary at the south end of Gatlinburg. There are three tributaries of the West Prong that are also included in Gatlinburg's fishable waters: Dudley Creek, Roaring Fork Creek, and LeConte Creek. There is a second "children only" section of stream at Mynatt Park located along LeConte Creek. This section extends from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary to approximately a quarter mile downstream from Mynatt Park.

Stocking and water update!With water temperatures barely dipping into the upper 60s at night and climbing into the mid 7...
09/17/2026

Stocking and water update!

With water temperatures barely dipping into the upper 60s at night and climbing into the mid 70s during the day, fishing will still be slow until at least midweek next week.

Hopefully, some relief is on the way next week, as weather predictions are calling for highs in the upper 70s and nighttime lows dipping into the 50s. Those nighttime lows should help push water temperatures down enough to get the fish feeling comfortable again.

Unless we get some rain, once those water temperatures drop back down, the fish will still be very wary due to the low flows, so stealth will be very advantageous. Fishing from bridges, where the fish are looking straight up at you and seeing your shadow cast over them, will not be productive under those conditions.

This week, we stocked 200 pounds of fish, which is approximately 250 fish at an average of 12 inches.

09/10/2026

Stocking update:
-220 pounds of fish(approximately 275 fish)
-12 inch average length
-Most fish this week were stocked along River Road between Greystone Heights and Maples Lane.
-The water temperature dipped to 66.8° this morning. While not prime fishing temperature, it is the coolest water we have seen since August 27 and hopefully the start of a slow cooling trend heading us into fall weather. 
-Stocking numbers will be increased once we see water temperatures consistently not exceeding 65° 
-The Spur will not be stocked until at least October due to water temperatures

Even though air temperatures are much more comfortable than they were last week, water temperatures are still very high....
09/09/2026

Even though air temperatures are much more comfortable than they were last week, water temperatures are still very high. Unfortunately, this means fishing conditions are likely to remain poor for at least the next two weeks.

When water temperatures rise above 68°F, catch-and-release fishing can be extremely harmful to trout and will very likely result in delayed mortality for released fish. The warmer water holds less oxygen, and fish are already using much of their energy simply to survive.

Catch-and-keep fishing will also be very slow because trout are in survival mode rather than actively feeding. Please keep these conditions in mind when deciding whether to fish. Waiting for water temperatures to return to safer levels is the best way to protect the fishery and ensure better fishing in the weeks ahead.

09/04/2026

Regulation reminder.

Please read and obey all regulations. These are not simply guidelines—they are state laws and are enforceable by TWRA, local law enforcement, and trout facility employees.

The waters around Herbert Holt Park, including a short distance upstream and downstream, are designated as "children only-" fishing for kids ages 12 and under. The park also provides a handicap-accessible fishing pier within this section of children only waters. The pier allows physically handicapped individuals to access the river to fish and is significant because it is the first fast-water handicap fishing pier in the State of Tennessee. The pier is restricted to children and physically handicapped persons of all ages. All other fishing regulations apply including a creel limit (only 2 fish may be kept while fishing this section of stream).

The pier is the rectangular platform at the bottom of the ADA accessible ramp near the bridge. All other areas including the concrete walkways at the bottom of the stairs are for kids ages 12 and under.

https://www.gatlinburgtn.gov/page/fishing

Stocking and water update.The water is not dropping below 68 degrees at night and is getting higher in to the 70’s each ...
09/03/2026

Stocking and water update.
The water is not dropping below 68 degrees at night and is getting higher in to the 70’s each day. We stocked 200 pounds of fish this week, but fishing will be very slow due to high water temperatures.

08/31/2026

Water update:
Water temperatures have not been below 68° since Saturday and are reaching the mid 70’s during the day. Based on the weekly weather forecast, water temperatures will likely continue to increase throughout the week. Catch-and-release fishing should not be practiced at these water temperatures. All trout fishing at our elevation will be very slow this week.

We now have 3 raceways clean and empty. We have to get one more emptied and cleaned over the next month to be ready for ...
08/27/2026

We now have 3 raceways clean and empty. We have to get one more emptied and cleaned over the next month to be ready for the October fingerling delivery. The fingerlings that are delivered in October are to be grown for next catch-and-keep season.

08/27/2026

Stocking update!
The cooler overnight temps have the fish eating better and feeling a little relief from the summer heat, so we stocked some extra fish this week. As we head into the weekend and the heat and humidity rise, things will slow back down, so tomorrow morning will be the best shot at catching some fish.
-315 pounds at 12”-15” with a handful of 18”-20” fish along River Road downtown
-125 pounds of 12”-15” to the Herbert Holt Park children’s stream(please remember this area is for kids 12 and under only and report any violations)

You’re not supposed to be in here! 🐟As we drain the raceways to clean them in preparation for our upcoming fingerling de...
08/26/2026

You’re not supposed to be in here! 🐟

As we drain the raceways to clean them in preparation for our upcoming fingerling deliveries, we often discover that a few banded sculpins have somehow made their way through our intake and pump system.

The banded sculpin is native to the waters of our region and is an important food source for smallmouth bass, brown trout, and larger rainbow trout.

If you’re looking to learn how to imitate a sculpin while fishing, it’s helpful to watch videos of how they actually swim compared to other species. Sculpins tend to stay close to the bottom, moving in short, skipping motions along the stream bed. Their coloration and behavior also help them remain well camouflaged.

08/20/2026

Stocking update.
-250 pounds of trout at approximately 13” average length with a few in the 16”-18” range.
-Nighttime water temperatures are still not getting below 65 degrees which means fishing at our elevation will be slow. The first 2 hours after the legal time to start fishing is when the water will be coolest and the chances of catching fish will be best. 
-All fish stocked this week were stocked along River Road

Address

Gatlinburg, TN
37738

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3pm
Tuesday 8am - 3pm
Wednesday 8am - 3pm
Thursday 12pm - 3pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

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