Fishing’s more fun when you follow the rules.

Fishing in Cherokee, or within what’s known as the Qualla Boundary, is infinitely more fun when you do it the right way. Please review our Code of Ordinances Section 113, which provides an in-depth review of the rules and regulations that must be followed.

What if I have questions?

Hopefully, the answers below in our Frequently Asked Questions will help you have a great time fishing.

Enterprise Waters include most of the main stems of Raven Fork, the Oconaluftee River, and Soco Creek. All remaining waters on Cherokee’s Qualla Boundary may only be fished by members of the Tribe and are off-limits to the general public.

All enterprise waters are a shared resource.

 

 

  • Permits are required to fish all Cherokee Enterprise Waters on the Qualla Boundary (the Cherokee reservation).
  • Only a Tribal permit is required to fish within the Boundary.
  • If you are fishing outside the Boundary you must have a valid state fishing license.
  • Many local businesses in Cherokee are authorized outlets for fishing permits.
  • The permit applies to Enterprise Waters only, which are managed by the Cherokee Fisheries and Wildlife Management Program.

A Tribal fishing permit is required for each person 12 years of age and over, and applies to rivers, streams, and ponds. No other fishing permit or license is accepted. Children under 12 are allowed to fish free of charge when accompanied by a permitted adult.

Daily permits (catch-and-keep): 1-day $10 | 2-day $17 | 3-day $27 | 5-day $47 | annual permit $250

Tribal special use permit (2.2 miles of trophy trout waters, catch-and-release only): 1-3 day $25 | annual permit $75 | must be purchased with a general Tribal fishing permit

 

The last Saturday in March is designated as opening day for all general fishing enterprise waters and the fishing season is closed to everyone two weeks prior to that date. The 2.2 miles of trophy trout fly-fishing waters on Raven Fork remain open year round.

Fishing hours are from one hour prior to sunrise until one hour after sunset.

There is a ten (10) fish, per day, per permit holder limit in the general fishing waters (includes catch of children ages 11 and under fishing under a supervising adult’s permit).

Re-releasing fish into ponds is prohibited.

This permit allows holders to use the designated 2.2 miles of trophy trout area on Raven Fork. This area is fly-fishing, catch and release only and is open year round.  The cost is $25 for one to three days, or $75 per year. Please note that this section of fishing waters requires both a general fishing permit and a special use permit. All general fishing regulations apply to the special use permit, as do the following special use regulations within the catch-and-release area:

  • Tackle is limited to fly rods, reels, and line with a maximum of 18 feet of leader material or monofilament line attached.
  • Only artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic material on a single, barbless hook are permitted.
  • Fishing with multiple flies attached to a single line (droppers) is permitted.
  • Catching and removing any live fish.
  • Killing trout and/or keeping in your possession.
  • Use of any spin-and-bait casting rods, reels, lures, or tackle.
  • The use or possession of any natural bait, fish bait, bait paste, and similar substances; fish eggs (natural or molded); or any other edible substance.
  • Fishing without a valid Tribal fishing permit.
  • Snagging of fish.
  • Grabbing of fish.
  • Chumming of fish.
  • Failure to produce a valid license and/or permit(s).

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians currently hosts four annual tagged fishing tournaments each year. Many tournament anglers are familiar with this system, in which colored tags are used that contain the month and year, and are placed just under the fish’s dorsal fin. Once a fish is caught and the tags are claimed, the tags may be redeemed for cash at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office, 517 Sequoyah Trail, Cherokee, NC 28719. Please note that the redemption period for prizes is 2:00-4:00 p.m. each tournament day. Fish are not required at the tag turn-in location at this time. Tags are not accepted outside the respective tournament tag turn in dates and times. Updates may be posted at Facebook.com/fishcherokee during tournaments and throughout the year.

Before receiving your tournament payout, potential prize winners must:

  1. Turn in a valid tag (fish not required).
  2. Present a valid fishing permit covering both tournament days.
  3. Provide proof of tournament registration.
  4. Sign a W-9 form. This requires a social security number. One form, per winner, per tournament. Parents may sign for minor children. Forms available on site.

Fair warning, this is where things start to sound a little more technical and legal—well, because fishing penalties are. The following isn’t a complete list of violations and their corresponding penalties. (Please see the Cherokee Code for additional information, Appendix A, Schedule of civil penalties.)

Violations of the provisions enumerated here shall subject the offender to a civil penalty upon the issuance of a citation for such violation as provided in this Section. The civil penalty, if not paid to the Cherokee Tribal Court prior to the court date designated on the citation issued, may be recovered by the Tribe in a civil action in the nature of Tribal debt. Unless otherwise provided by a specific provision of this Code, such civil penalties shall be in the amount of $100.00 for each violation, and each day any single violation continues shall be a separate violation. The following civil penalties are hereby established:

Infractions §113-5(c)
Number Offense Fine for Violation
1. Exceeding creel limit (violation) $100.00
2. Fishing without a permit 100.00
3. Snagging of fish 100.00
4. Grabbing of fish 100.00
5. Chumming of fish 100.00
6. Fishing with more than one line 100.00
7. Setting of trotline 200.00
8. Fishing in closed streams, ponds, or waters 100.00
9. Fishing before or after legal fishing hours 100.00
10. Failure to keep individual’s catch separate 50.00
11. Failure to retain all trout caught, when fishing Tribally managed ponds 100.00
12. Illegally caught trout 50.00
13. An additional fine for each fish caught in violation of statutes 50.00
14. Camping in unauthorized areas 100.00
15. Failure to report a bait site, per bait site 100.00
16. Illegal cutting of wood or timber 75.00
17. Hunting on Sunday 75.00
18. Hunting or fishing without the proper license 100.00
19. Failure to produce valid license and/or permit 25.00
20. Failure to wear hunter orange while hunting (does not apply to fishing) 25.00
21. Use or possession of illegal bait 100.00
22. Use of improper equipment 100.00
23. Running dogs out of season 100.00
24. Failure to report to NREO 100.00
25. Bribing or attempted bribery of a Natural Resources Enforcement Officer 100.00
26. Removing and/or destroying tracking devices or identification collars from dogs 100.00

Note: In addition to all fines, court costs shall be assessed and added in amounts determined by the courts. All other offenses are criminal violations, and offenders within the criminal jurisdiction will be charged in Tribal Court; those outside the Tribe’s jurisdiction will be referred to the United States for prosecution. (Ord. No. 277, 5-12-2008; Ord. No. 427, 12-10-2010)

We encourage everyone to immediately report sightings of fishing violations by calling 828.497.4131. All anglers are subject to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ fishing laws and regulations, so please help to keep Cherokee a great fishing environment for everyone.

General fishing enterprise waters opening day is always the last Saturday in March, and will be closed to everyone two weeks prior to that date. Cherokee’s Annual Opening Day Fishing Tournament is held during this weekend—two days of fishing fun and competition.

The 2.2 mile catch-and-release trophy fly-fishing enterprise waters are open year round.

Currently, the EBCI Natural Resources Department plans to host a variety of special events and tournaments throughout the year. Those plans include several tagged tournaments, with individual cash prizes ranging from $25 all the way up to $5,000. There are also plans for fly-fishing events, events for kids, and more. Please check the Events page for full schedules, news, and details as they become available. Additionally, information may be found at https://visitcherokeenc.com/#home. Visit us on our fishcherokee Facebook page for more frequent updates and news.

EBCI Enterprise waters are a shared resource.

Regular stocking takes place weekly with no set day throughout the year.  Stocking requires optimal water conditions for the good health and longevity of the fish. You can learn more about stocking under “stocking information” on the “services” page.

Cherokee offers three handicapped-accessible ramps conveniently located in Enterprise Waters. You can find the first ramp in Cherokee’s Downtown, near Oconaluftee Islands Park on Acquoni Road; another on Hwy 441 across from Paul’s Restaurant; and the last is located at the Big Cove ponds outside the KOA campground.

Instructions for purchasing permits on-line:
Fish Cherokee.com (Cherokee NC)

1) Go to https://fishcherokee.com,
2) Click on the Buy A Permit tab at top of page,
• if you have previously purchased a tribal fish permit and have your tribal sportsman number, click on “I have a sportsman number and am ready to buy permit,”
• if you have not previously purchased a tribal fish permit or you cannot remember your sportsman number, click on “Register for a Sportsman Number and Buy Permit,”
3) Enter your personal information and continue,
4) Select the respective permit by clicking on the calendar to the right,
5) Selecting the start date (make sure start date is correct, dates cannot be changed),
6) Click inside the box to the right (a checkmark will appear),
7) Tournament registration may be purchased at same time by clicking inside box to right of selected tournament (a checkmark will appear),
8) Make sure your selections and permit dates are correct,
9) Select continue to enter payment method,
10) Enter your payment information and verify for accuracy,
11) Select continue,
12) Once payment is accepted, the system will generate a printable permit (if system buffers or appears to be processing slow, be patient until permit is viewable),
13) Print your permit (must have a working printer – email confirmations are not available),
14) Exit print page.
15) To purchase for 2nd person, return to home page by clicking on the fish cherokee logo and begin process again.

DO NOT CLICK THE BACK ARROW BUTTON TO ENTER INFO FOR A SECOND ANGLER. Clicking on the back button will result in a duplicate permit and charges for the same angler.

Refunds are not authorized for purchaser errors in the system. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to verify all information prior to submitting payment.

Permit dates cannot be changed once permits are purchased.

Fish Permit Refund Policy
Fishcherokee.com (Cherokee NC)

Anglers are responsible for purchasing the correct permit to fish Cherokee Enterprise Waters. Incorrect purchasing procedures that result in duplicates and/or incorrect dates, may result in additional charges to angler.  For duplicate charges, angler is responsible for contacting his/her bank or credit card company to ask for the duplicated charge to be removed.

Refunds are allowed for:
(1) Fish permit system errors
(2) Cancelled EBCI Tournaments, which include:
a. $15 registration fee, and
b. $17 2-day permit covering both tournament days
c. Total $32

Refunds are not issued for:
1) Purchaser error (includes duplicate permits & incorrect dates entered by purchaser)
2) Processing fees

Route refund requests to:
EBCI Fisheries & Wildlife
Attention: Fish Permit Refund
PO Box 1747
Cherokee, NC 28719
paprice@nc-cherokee.com

Documentation required for refund:
(1) A written request for a refund,
(2) The permit,
(3) Sportsman contact information for vendor setup,
a. Legal Name
b. Mailing Address
c. Telephone Number
d. Email Address
(3) a signed W-9 Form

(4) Denial of refund notice from bank or card institute.

Refund Request Review:
Refund requests will be review for compliance and notice of approval or denial issued to requestor.

Allow 4-6 weeks for authorized refunds. Follows the EBCI Fiscal Management purchase order process. Refund policy updates may occur without notice. Every effort will be made to keep anglers informed of changes.

Vist our Fish Cherokee Facebook page.