Fontana Lake

Fontana Lake Fishing Guides

Fly Fishing the Smokies offers guided bass fishing on Fontana Lake near Bryson City and Robinsville North Carolina. We offer catch and release fishing only with artifical lures. No live bait fishing from a pontoon here. Professional guide Capt Ryan takes you on Fontana Lake in search of Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Spotted Bass and Walleye in a tournament rigged Nitro bass boat. Use some of the latest techniques from the world of professional bass fishing to catch fish on Fontana.

Bass Fishing Trips

Our Bass Fishing Trips on Fontana Lake are all 1/2 day trips with a maximum of 2 anglers per boat. By not over crowding boats we can ensure the most attention possible and the best trip for our guests. All gear and equipment is provided on trips and Capt Ryan has one of the best personalities in the business. Ryans laid back demeanor and eagerness to teach you really shines through in his style of fishing. He loves to guide and is very passionate about bass fishing and especially about Fontana lake.

Fontana Lake

Fontana Lake is the 4th deepest lake in the US, and the deepest lake east of the Rocky Mountains. Fontana Lake is 31 miles long, and has 211 miles of shoreline, average lake depth is 121 feet. Bordered entirely on one side by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fontana is one of the most gorgeous lakes in the world! With emerald green waters that are met by towering mountains, Fontana Lake is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Fish species on Fontana Lake

The fishing on Fontana Lake can be nothing short of spectacular. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Spotted Bass, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Carp, Catfish, Crappie and numerous different species of panfish are abundant in the waters here. Fontana has a massive shoreline full of log jams, blow downs and rocky banks offering perfect places for bass to hide and ambush prey.

Fishing Seasons

Spring time is fun time on Fontana Lake. The water levels start to rise and fish start running upstream into river mouths to spawn. Cast to White Bass and Walleye early season beginning in mid March through April. Catching Walleye on the fly is a rare opportunity anywhere in the country. Add to the fact you are in the south and eye brows will start to raise. Truth is the water is so cold here, Fontana Lake is home to many cold water fish. Landlocked Steelhead move upstream in April through May and offer some great afternoon into late evening fly fishing on the mouths of the Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee Rivers.

Into Summer, Smallmouth Bass can be found along rocky banks and points. These hard fighting bass will devour a softly presented streamer with reckless abandon. Largemouth will be lurking near log jams and shady coves waiting on unsuspecting prey. Late evening is the best time to catch Largemouth.

September is a great time to book Fontana Lake. You have most of the bass from the river systems dropping back into the lake for the Winter. During this unique time frame, the bass who live in the lake are pushing bait fish into the river mouths and feeding ferociously before cold weather. There is a time frame of about two weeks where both world collide and only the biggest fish live! You want to be here when this happens. Clash of the Titans was nothing compared to this!

Rates

1/2 Day Fontana Lake Trip is priced per boat ( 1 or 2 people) 

$275

Trip includes all fishing gear and equipment, lures and bottled water on the boat. 

Guests do need a valid North Carolina fishing license. These can be easily obtained online at ncwildlife.org 

For reservations (828)-488-7665 or Book Online