Bookmark this page for tournaments, special events, and more.

Whether you’re introducing your little angler-to-be to fishing for the first time, or you love putting your fishing skills up against the very best, Cherokee’s special fishing events keep the season long and lucrative. Check out our Fish Cherokee Facebook page often as new events often pop up, dates change, or new announcements are made.

General fishing waters opening day is always the last Saturday in March. General fishing waters are closed to everyone for two weeks prior to opening day.

  • News & Info
    September 22, 2022 - December 31, 2024

    News & Info

    Important information about fishing in Cherokee's Enterprise Waters.

    Regular Office Hours:

    • M-F, 7:45am-4:30pm (ET)
    • Staff do not work during tribal closures, including weekends and holidays.

     

    Fishcherokee.com Customers:

    New permit system in place. Anglers age 12 and over must have on their person a valid tribal fishing permit while fishing Cherokee enterprise waters. Each angler must have an account in the system under their name to purchase a tribal fishing permit. An email address is required online or in-store for anglers age 12 and up. Anglers age 12 through 17 are responsible for obtaining a parent’s permission. Entering an email address will allow the system to email an electronic copy of the purchase receipt and customer permit. Notice: Login errors may occur if angler had multiple sportman accounts in former (legacy) system. Contact customer support for assistance. Customer service responses may be delayed due to high volumes of calls.

     

    General Fishing Enterprise Waters:

    • Per Tribal Code, general fishing waters opening day is always the last Saturday in March.
    • The opening day fish tournament is the last weekend in March.
    • General fishing waters are closed to everyone for two weeks prior to opening day. Trophy fly-fishing waters remain open.
    • Fishing is not allowed in general fishing waters during closures.
    • Refunds will not be issued for erroneously purchased permits due to purchaser error.
    • Daily and Trophy Trout Flyfishing Special Use permits ARE available for the trophy trout fly-fishing waters year round.  Both a general (daily) and trophy trout flyfishing permits are required for the 2.2 mile trophy flyfishing only waters.
    • Stocking takes place before and after closures.
    • Tournament registration deadlines are 11:59pm on the Friday prior to the first day of the respective tagged tournament.

     

    Trophy Trout Fly-fishing Waters: 

    • The 2.2 miles of trophy trout fly-fishing enterprise waters on Raven Fork are open year-round.
    • This section is catch and release only and requires flyfishing equipment.
    • General (daily) tribal fishing permit and trophy trout fly-fishing special use permit required.

     

    Big Cove Ponds:

    September 12, 2024 – STOCKING AT PONDS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO HIGH WATER TEMPERATURES AND LOW WATER LEVELS. Check back here or FB page for updates. Updates provided by Tribal Trout Hatchery.

    • Fish must be kept.
    • Ponds are stocked weekly provided water conditions are optimal for fish survival.
      • Stocking does not take place during tribal closures, holidays, weekends, and extreme weather conditions.
      • Stocking updates from the tribal hatchery staff are posted as they are received.
      • Call 828-359-6960 for additional stocking information.

    Audit Week – Hatchery Closed – No Stocking

    • SPECIAL NOTICE: THE TRIBAL HATCHERY WILL BE UNDERGOING THEIR ANNUAL AUDIT THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23RD. STOCKING WILL NOT OCCUR DURING THIS TIME. Stocking will resume on September 30th, 2024.

     

    For more frequent and up-to-date information:

    • Follow us on our Fish Cherokee Facebook page.