CATCH & RELEASE TIPS:
- Use barbless hooks. If you use a net, use one made of rubber. It is less harmful to fish scales, gills and eyes. Only net your fish if it is the only way to control it.
- Wet your hands when handling fish. Dry hands and gloves will remove its protective mucous (slime) coating and scales. These protective layers help prevent infection by waterborne disease. Do not beach a fish or let it flop around the deck of the boat.
- Try not to remove the fish from the water. If you must, be quick and gentle, do not squeeze the fish. Needle nose pliers, hemostats, de-hookers etc., will speed up the removal of a deep set hook.
- To revive the fish, hold it under the belly and by the tail, keep it in an upright position underwater, do not move the fish back and forth (this is also a good time to get a measurement and take a photo). If you are fishing in a river or stream, hold the fish facing the current. Be patient and give the fish as much time as it needs to recover and swim away on its own.
35.3909, -83.4776 Alarka Creek
35.4497, -83.9418 Calderwood Reservoir
35.4658, -83.9015 Cheoah Reservoir
35.4093, -83.3638 Connelly Creek
35.4522, -83.4399 Deep Creek- Smoky Mnts park boundary line to Tuckasegee river
35.3108, -83.6435 Nantahala River Macon Co. line to existing Fontana Reservoir water level
35.4306, -83.4429 Tuckasegee River (U.S. 19 bridge to Slope Street bridge)
35.4612, -83.4359 Deep Creek- Inside Smoky Mnts park
35.4726, -83.5689 Forney Creek-Located off the road to nowhere
35.4735, -83.7210 Hazel Creek-Requires a shuttle call Fontana Marina at (828) 498-2211, extension #277 or 1-800-849-2258 ask for the Marina
35.4582, -83.5259 Noland Creek-Located off "The road to nowhere" know as New Fontana Road too
35.4700, -83.3481 Oconaluftee River