A cabin getaway, fishing trip, a chance to win $500, and, most importantly, a great way to bond with friends and family – just a few reasons to be a part of the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament in spring 2019! This biannual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament will feature tournament waters stretching from the West Prong Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg to the Sevierville City Park Bridge. For 2 days, April 6th, 30 minutes before sunrise to 4 p.m. and Sunday April 7th, 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m., fishers young and old can compete to catch the biggest and smallest trout. Weigh-ins and prizes are distributed in the historic Old Mill District in Patriot Park, where visitors can shop, eat, and more in between tournament events.
Even if you don’t catch the biggest fish, there are still plenty of prizes to go around! Besides the obvious allure of cash and a wide range of prizes and drawings, the best part of this event: everyone is sure to catch a few trout because in the days prior to the tournament, there will be over 10,000 trout released into the streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a part of the local conservation efforts. It’s the perfect time to teach your younger, less patient outdoor enthusiasts, and a practically guaranteed great day of fishing (and the views sure aren’t bad).
The Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament follows all the regular Gatlinburg and state fishing regulations; educate yourself here. Anglers 13 and older are required to obtain a valid fishing license; those younger aren’t required to obtain a license but still must follow the state regulations. The tournament has a few rules; here are the most notable:
- Single hook only and 1 hand-held rod
- 5 fish limit
- No fishing on Friday before the event
- Rainbow Trout will be the only fish weighed in
- No fishing with folks not entered in the tournament
- All trout are to be weighed in at Patriot Park
- All trout brought to weigh-in must have clear eyes and red gills
- Tournament participants must be present during weigh-ins to win
- Smallest trout must be at least 7 inches (this is part of the state regulations as to not impede on conservation efforts)
Ready to register? You’ve got options!
Registration is $25 per entrant per day. Register for both Saturday & Sunday for a discounted price of $40.
No group registrations.
Be sure to register according to the separate tournament pools, because there are prizes in each division: tourist/local, adult/youth
Online: simple online registration on the official website
In-person: Register and pick up your gear at the Smoky Mountain Angler in Gatlinburg
Phone: (865)661-3474
Late Registration is cash only in person at the Riverside Motor Lodge in Pigeon Forge, Friday April 5th, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Not sure how to incorporate the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament into your calendar? Here are just few ideas to make this Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament an awesome weekend of fun, laughs, and memories!
A Small Family Vacation: Book a small, budget-friendly or 1-bedroom cabin and get your kids’ Spring Break going as soon as they get out of school that Friday! Teach them how to bait their hooks, cast a line, and unhook their catches while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Smokies. In the afternoons, let them choose their favorite Pigeon Forge fun like laser tag at LazerPort Fun Center, out-of-this-world discoveries in WonderWorks, and battling zombies in the Hollywood Wax Museum’s Outbreak: Dread the Undead.
A Girls’ Weekend: For ladies who love the great outdoors and wine, spend your mornings casting a line, your afternoons enjoying free tastings at the Mountain Valley Winery, and laid-back evenings in a cozy 3-6 bedroom cabin sipping on bottles of your favorite reds and whites while lounging by the fire or relaxing in the outdoor hot tub.
A Guys’ Getaway: Get together with those friends you never see anymore, your small group at church, or business buddies and enjoy a weekend of grilling out at your large group lodging, waking up early in the beauty of the mountains to take advantage of the best fishing hours and watching your favorite teams play while trying new beers at the Smoky Mountain Brewery.
A Multi-Family Extravaganza: Whether it’s just one other family in a 3-6 bedroom cabin or your entire small group and their families in a fun large group lodge, angling for those big fish and cash prizes with friends and all the kids is sure to be a blast! Split the cost of the cabin for an affordable way to stay in the Smoky Mountains, and with everyone splitting the bill, you can book one of our impressive large lodges with an indoor pool and in-cabin theater.
Can’t make it to the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament? The Smoky Mountains come to life in the springtime, check out these other fantastic Springfest events near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Cabins!
