Ocanaluftee River headwaters start in the Ocanlufrtee Valley in the Great Smokies National Park, then the river flows through Cherokee and is managed by EBCI – tribal water) and eventually joins the Tuckasseegee River in Ela. . The term “Oconaluftee” comes from the Cherokee village name Egwanulti, which means “by the river”.
Ocanaluftee is a large-size freestone creek featuring brown trout, rainbows, brookies and palominos. It is stocked twice each week by the Tribe’s hatchery in tribal section.
 | Wede the Ocanaluftee and creeks Half Day 4 hour Wade: $225 Full Day 6 hour Wade $325 |
Permits: Catch and Release – Trophy
Wading, tubing, fishing, and canoeing are all popular here. The Oconaluftee is most famous for its abundant healthy rainbow, brook and brown trout. It holds the North Carolina record for brown trout weighing in at 15.9 pounds.
This pristine river is one of the best for catching North Carolina mountain trout. The Oconaluftee River is heavily stocked, 300,000 per year, by the Cherokee Fisheries & Wildlife Management. A special fishing permit is required from the Cherokee Reservation. Check for fishing regulations specific to this river at http://www.fishcherokee.com and www.ncwildlife.org.
GSNP – Smokemount Campground – Bradley Fork – Pristine water untouched by civilization, fed by several small creeks. Native Brook Trout.
Cherokee Tribal Water, Trophy Trout Section
Ocanaluftee Lake in Whittier – dam controlled.
SOCO Creek – Raven Fork, Indian Creek, Bunches Creek
The River is easily accessible in the National Park, along the Oconaluftee River Trail,and the Oconaluftee Islands Park,