Guided Trips on Fontana Lake
We offer half day (4 hour) trips on Fontana Lake. We primarily target smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, and trout, but occasionally target and encounter other lake species as well. We provide all the essential gear you need to have a great experience on the water. All rods, reels, lures, bait, and terminal tackle are provided. All you need to bring is your fishing licenses and anything you wish to eat or drink. Anglers can expect to use live bait fish and artificial lures on light to medium spinning tackle outfits. Fly fishing opportunities on the lake are seasonal and limited to proficient fly anglers only. 100% catch & release all the time.
You never know what you might hook into
Fontana Lake is located just outside of beautiful Bryson City, NC. This 10,230-acre finger lake is 31 miles long, 400 feet deep, and has 238 miles of shoreline. Its deep, cold waters boast one of the most diverse fisheries found anywhere in the country:
- Smallmouth Bass
- Largemouth bass
- Spotted Bass
- White Bass
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
- Yellow Perch
- Crappie
- Walleye
- Muskie
- Carp
- Flathead Catfish
- Channel Catfish
One-of-a-kind fishing and sightseeing experience
Fontana Lake is unique in many ways, providing both great fishing and relaxation. The shoreline development has been kept to a minimum. More than 90 percent of the land around the lake is owned by either the National Park Service or the US Forest Service. Fontana’s beautiful emerald green water beneath a backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains makes it a one-of-a-kind fishing and sightseeing experience.
Bring along a camera and binoculars, as wildlife is often spotted swimming across the lake or along the banks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Black bear, fox, bobcats, wild boar, turkey, bald & golden eagles, ospreys, otters, and deer are among the many species of wildlife that are often seen on Fontana Lake.
Great for all ages or experience levels
Our guided Fontana Lake fishing trips are great for all ages and skill levels. There is no prior experience required. Teaching beginners is what we love to do! Read more about our Family Friendly Fishing Trips:
We primarily offer half day (4hr) trips. 3/4 day (6hr) and full day (8hr) trips are only offered seasonally during cooler weather months. It is ideal to keep parties of four anglers or less. Some exceptions can be made for larger groups up to five or six anglers at the discretion of your guide. All trips are private, we never combine different parties. Who you bring with you is who will be on the boat with you and the captain.
Fontana Lake Gallery
Boat Info
The fluctuating water levels of Fontana Lake offers incredibly unique angling opportunities throughout the year. Our pontoon boat is specialized to get you on the fish any season. We guide all lake trips out of our 23 ft. custom Manitou Pontoon Boat fully rigged and outfitted for our approach to the fishery. We only use the best gear in the industry. Our boat is outfitted with Raymarine electronics, a 112lb thrust MinnKota trolling motor, and a Mercury 115hp outboard motor. Comfortable seating, rod & drink holders, bait live well, and a bimini top to shield you from sun and rain when needed top off the personal touches to this boat. It is an incredibly stable and comfortable vessel to fish out of. There’s ample room for casting and moving about as you enjoy your experience on Fontana Lake!
Additional Boat Photos
