Tennessee
Little River above Townsend
Current River Rating
Poor · 29
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Do Not Go
Avoid This Period
Saturday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
This is an informational evaluation period, not a recommended fishing window. These seasonal suggestions should not be interpreted as a recommendation to enter
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Blocking Factors
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 89.5 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.54 ft
- Water Temperature
- 73.8 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03497300 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
77°F
Feels like
83°F
Wind
2 mph E
Wind gust
3 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 77°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 77°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 90°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 96°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 87°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 96°F / Low 76°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 91°F / Low 71°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Thunderstorms
High 87°F / Low 70°F
Chance 50%
Precip 0.45 in
Max gust 7 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 88°F / Low 68°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 5 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Little River above Townsend, Tennessee. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Little River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Little River above Townsend is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park wild-trout reach. StrikeTracks requalifies this existing public identity to Monitoring-Backed from USGS 03497300 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). NPS GSMNP fishing rules apply. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NPS GSMNP Little River rainbow trout. USGS 03497300 above Townsend.
Source: National Park Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NPS GSMNP Little River brown trout.
Source: National Park Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Native brook trout in colder GSMNP Little River headwaters.
Source: National Park Service Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Free-flowing GSMNP Little River above Townsend, Blount County, a park wild-trout river distinct from TWRA tailwaters.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by NPS Great Smoky Mountains National Park fishing access above Townsend. Catalog coordinates remain USGS 03497300.
Stocking information
GSMNP Little River is a wild trout fishery. Confirm current NPS fishing notices. Park waters are not a TWRA tailwater stocking program.
Official sources
NPS GSMNP fishing rules apply and change. Confirm current NPS Great Smoky Mountains fishing regulations, not another state's rules.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Blount, Tennessee
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Blount
Management Category
National Park wild-trout river
Regulation Scope
Little River above Townsend
Regulation Summary
Little River above Townsend: NPS Great Smoky Mountains National Park fishing rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout, brook-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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