Little River

Type: Freestone river, Tennessee (South)
USGS gauges: 1 live
Guides: 4 nearby
Shops: 2 nearby

Today on the Little River

Warning: Rising fast: be careful, conditions are changing

Flow now: 106 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Normal
Water temp: 62.1°F (16.7°C)
Trend: Rising over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

At LITTLE RIVER ABOVE TOWNSEND, TN (USGS 03497300) Provisional USGS data

The Little River is a freestone river in Tennessee.

More about the Little River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 4 guides and 2 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Great Smoky Mountains.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: USGS Water Data

Little River near its source at Three Forks, a small boulder stream in deep forest — Photo credit
Little River at Three Forks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it is

Little River is a freestone river in Tennessee. Our destination hub Great Smoky Mountains is 2 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters.

Flow now at the gauge

LITTLE RIVER ABOVE TOWNSEND, TN

USGS 03497300

Warning: Rising fast: be careful, conditions are changing

Rising fast: discharge up 105% in 24 hours (51.7 to 106 ft³/s). “Rising fast” is our rule of thumb (more than 50% of discharge or 1 ft of gauge height in 24 hours), not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow 106 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 63 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
If you're fishing for trout here: 62.1°F now, 62.2°F at most in 24 hours: under the National Park Service's 68°F line (federal guidance; no Tennessee line found). National Park Service

What the agencies suggest

Stand back from the bank. Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundings Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Don't wade where you can't see the bottom. Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visible Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 106 ft³/s
Gauge height: 1.65 ft
Water temp: 62.1°F (16.7°C)

Reading Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 106 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)	Water temp (°F)
Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST	106	1.65	62.1
Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST	108	1.66	62.1
Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST	110	1.67	62.2
Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST	108	1.66	62.1
Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST	106	1.65	61.5
Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST	106	1.65	61.3
Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST	106	1.65	61
Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST	108	1.66	60.8
Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST	113	1.68	60.6
Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST	115	1.69	60.4
Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST	95.4	1.6	60.3
Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST	80.1	1.52	60.3
Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST	80.1	1.52	60.4
Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST	80.1	1.52	60.4
Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST	83.8	1.54	60.4
Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST	83.8	1.54	60.4
Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST	83.8	1.54	60.4
Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST	81.9	1.53	60.4
Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST	81.9	1.53	60.4
Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST	80.1	1.52	60.4
Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST	71.4	1.47	60.6
Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST	64.9	1.43	60.6
Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST	60.3	1.4	60.4
Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST	55.9	1.37	60.4
Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST	51.7	1.34	60.4
Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST	49	1.32	60.4
Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST	47.7	1.31	60.4
Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST	47.7	1.31	60.4
Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST	46.4	1.3	60.4
Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	60.3
Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	60.3
Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	60.4
Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	59.9
Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	59.4
Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	59.2
Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	59
Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	59
Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	59
Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	58.8
Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	58.8
Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	58.6
Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	58.5
Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.5
Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	58.5
Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.6
Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	58.8
Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.6
Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	57.9
Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	57.4
Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	57.2
Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	57
Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	56.1
Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.2
Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.2
Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.6
Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	55.8
Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.9
Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	56.3
Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	56.5
Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	56.7
Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	56.7
Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	56.8
Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	57
Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	57.2
Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	57.6
Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST	46.4	1.3	57.7
Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	57.6
Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	57.2
Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	57
Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	56.8
Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	56.1
Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	55.6
Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.7
Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	54.9
Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST	46.4	1.3	55
Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	55.2
Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.2
Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.4
Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.4
Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.6
Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.6
Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.9
Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	55.9
Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	56.1
Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	56.1
Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	56.1
Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.9
Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	55.8
Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.8
Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.6
Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.4
Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.9
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.3
Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.3
Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	56.5
Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT	41.5	1.26	56.5
Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.7
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.7
Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.8
Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.8
Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	56.5
Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.3
Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55.8
Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55.4
Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55
Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.5
Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	53.8
Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.6
Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.6
Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT	41.5	1.26	53.8
Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.8
Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54
Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54
Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.1
Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.3
Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.5
Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.7
Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.7
Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.7
Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.9
Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55
Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55.4
Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55.8
Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55.8
Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55.4
Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55
Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.7
Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.3
Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.1
Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	53.1
Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	52.2
Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52
Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.2
Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.3
Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.5
Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.7
Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.1
Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.2
Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.6
Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	53.8
Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54
Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.1
Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.3
Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.3
Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.5
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.7

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 61–231 ft³/s (middle half of 63 years of record). Now: 106 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 106 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 63 years of record (1964–2026): 10th 37, 25th 61, median 125, 75th 231, 90th 386 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 21.7 ft³/s, highest 509 ft³/s.

Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).

Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 105%, from 51.7 to 106 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Water temperature for trout, salmon and steelhead

Federal guidance. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Tennessee rule:

Under the federal 68°F line. Water 62.1°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 62.2°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)

Species

This gauge is on our page for Little River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 105%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 6:20 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Little River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Tennessee fishing and boating locations

Little River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of Little River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Little River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Little River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.

Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Little River

Freestone river
Photo credit
Abrams Creek near the trailhead, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo: Scott Basford (Blinutne), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Abrams Creek
Tennessee · about 11 mi
Freestone river
Photo credit
The West Prong of the Little Pigeon River at the Old Mill dam, Pigeon Forge. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Little Pigeon River
Tennessee · about 11 mi
75.6cfsFlow now at the USGS gauge
Freestone river
Photo credit
Hazel Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hazel Creek
North Carolina · about 12 mi
Freestone river
Photo credit
Deep Creek in autumn, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Bryson City, North Carolina. Photo: Patrick Mueller, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
Deep Creek
North Carolina · about 19 mi
Delayed Harvest
Photo credit
The Nantahala River and a footbridge in the Nantahala Gorge. Photo: Nader Moussa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nantahala River
North Carolina · about 25 mi
152cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Oconaluftee River
North Carolina · about 25 mi
387cfsFlow now · above normal for the date

Freestone river
Photo credit
Abrams Creek near the trailhead, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo: Scott Basford (Blinutne), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Abrams Creek
Tennessee · about 11 mi
Freestone river
Photo credit
The West Prong of the Little Pigeon River at the Old Mill dam, Pigeon Forge. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Little Pigeon River
Tennessee · about 11 mi
Freestone river
Photo credit
Hazel Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina. Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hazel Creek
North Carolina · about 12 mi
Freestone river
Photo credit
Deep Creek in autumn, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Bryson City, North Carolina. Photo: Patrick Mueller, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
Deep Creek
North Carolina · about 19 mi
Delayed Harvest
Photo credit
The Nantahala River and a footbridge in the Nantahala Gorge. Photo: Nader Moussa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nantahala River
North Carolina · about 25 mi
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Oconaluftee River
North Carolina · about 25 mi

Regulations

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

The water on the map

Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.

Length: 53.6 mi (51.9 in TN)
Drains: 376 sq mi
Drop: 1,667 ft · 31.1 ft/mi
Flows into: Tennessee River
Watershed: Watts Bar Lake

Public land along it

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

18 of 51.9 mi on public land

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkNational Park Service · 17.8 mi
Rockford Community ParkCity Land · 0.2 mi

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Little River

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

The Smoky Mountain Angler
Gatlinburg, TN · 12 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · French Broad & Tuckasegee
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
JA Sharpe Fly Fishing
Knoxville, TN · 26 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Clinch River
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
NM
Nathan Mountain Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Guide Service
White Pine, TN · 37 mi
Lake & stillwater · Beginners & lessons · South Holston & French Broad
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Tellico Outfitters
Tellico Plains, TN · 39 mi
Euro nymphing
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide

All Tennessee guides

2 shops nearby

Little River Outfitters
Townsend, TN
Fly shop · Casting lessons & classes · Guided trips
- Unclaimed
View shop
BN
Bucks-N-Bass
Dandridge, TN · 31 mi
Fishing shop
- Unclaimed
View shop

All Tennessee shops

Species and hatches

What 4 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.

Named on 4 nearby guide websites

Brook trout2
Carp2
Crappie2
Smallmouth bass2
Brown trout1
Largemouth bass1
Musky1
Rainbow trout1

When the bugs come off

Regional hatch months: Southern Appalachians

17 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

January: 1 charted hatch
February: 3 charted hatches
March: 5 charted hatches
April: 8 charted hatches
May: 9 charted hatches
June: 8 charted hatches
July: 7 charted hatches
August: 5 charted hatches
September: 4 charted hatches
October: 3 charted hatches
November: 3 charted hatches
December: 3 charted hatches

Midges (all year) · Blue-winged olive (February to March, May, October to December) · Early black stonefly (February to March, October to December) · Blue Quill (March to April) · Quill Gordon (March to April) · Black caddis (April to May) · and 11 more on the chart

Southern Appalachians hatch chart

Plan your stay

Fishing lodges nearby

All lodges

Tremont Lodge & Resort
Townsend, Tennessee
Fishing lodge · 2.5 mi
- Unclaimed
Eagle Valley Cabin Rentals
Sevierville, Tennessee
River cabins · 6.3 mi
- Unclaimed
Touch of Heaven Lodge
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Fishing lodge · 7.2 mi
- Unclaimed
Funky Bear Lodge Luxury Cabin
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fishing lodge · 11 mi
- Unclaimed
Pigeon Forge TN Cabins
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
River cabins · 11 mi
- Unclaimed
- Guided fishing
- Year-round
Outback Rentals Cabin Rentals
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
River cabins · 11 mi
- Unclaimed
Fireside Chalet and Cabin Rentals
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
River cabins · 12 mi
- Unclaimed
Stony Brook Cabins
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
River cabins · 15 mi
- Unclaimed

Getting there

TYS · Knoxville/Maryville · 19 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
AVL · Asheville · 68 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
TRI · Blountville · 92 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the Tennessee–North Carolina line, with Gatlinburg and Townsend on the Tennessee side and Bryson City and Cherokee on the North Carolina side; the park's streams drain to the Little River, Little Pigeon, Oconaluftee and Tuckasegee.

Destination hub · 2 mi away in a straight line

Open the hub Plan a trip here

Gear checklist

A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist

Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

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A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge LITTLE RIVER ABOVE TOWNSEND, TN. Water type is our own classification.

LITTLE RIVER ABOVE TOWNSEND, TN

USGS 03497300

Warning: Rising fast: be careful, conditions are changing

Rising fast: discharge up 105% in 24 hours (51.7 to 106 ft³/s). “Rising fast” is our rule of thumb (more than 50% of discharge or 1 ft of gauge height in 24 hours), not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow 106 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 63 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
If you're fishing for trout here: 62.1°F now, 62.2°F at most in 24 hours: under the National Park Service's 68°F line (federal guidance; no Tennessee line found). National Park Service

What the agencies suggest

Stand back from the bank. Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundings Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Don't wade where you can't see the bottom. Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visible Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 106 ft³/s
Gauge height: 1.65 ft
Water temp: 62.1°F (16.7°C)

Reading Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 106 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)	Water temp (°F)
Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST	106	1.65	62.1
Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST	108	1.66	62.1
Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST	110	1.67	62.2
Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST	108	1.66	62.1
Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST	106	1.65	61.5
Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST	106	1.65	61.3
Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST	106	1.65	61
Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST	108	1.66	60.8
Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST	113	1.68	60.6
Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST	115	1.69	60.4
Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST	95.4	1.6	60.3
Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST	80.1	1.52	60.3
Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST	80.1	1.52	60.4
Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST	80.1	1.52	60.4
Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST	83.8	1.54	60.4
Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST	83.8	1.54	60.4
Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST	83.8	1.54	60.4
Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST	81.9	1.53	60.4
Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST	81.9	1.53	60.4
Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST	80.1	1.52	60.4
Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST	71.4	1.47	60.6
Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST	64.9	1.43	60.6
Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST	60.3	1.4	60.4
Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST	55.9	1.37	60.4
Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST	51.7	1.34	60.4
Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST	49	1.32	60.4
Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST	47.7	1.31	60.4
Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST	47.7	1.31	60.4
Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST	46.4	1.3	60.4
Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	60.3
Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	60.3
Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	60.4
Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	59.9
Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	59.4
Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	59.2
Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	59
Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	59
Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	59
Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	58.8
Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	58.8
Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	58.6
Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	58.5
Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.5
Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	58.5
Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.6
Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.8
Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	58.8
Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	58.6
Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	57.9
Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	57.4
Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	57.2
Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	57
Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	56.1
Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.2
Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.2
Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.6
Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	55.8
Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.9
Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	56.3
Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	56.5
Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	56.7
Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	56.7
Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	56.8
Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	57
Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	57.2
Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	57.6
Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST	46.4	1.3	57.7
Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	57.6
Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	57.2
Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST	43.9	1.28	57
Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST	45.2	1.29	56.8
Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	56.1
Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	55.6
Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.7
Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	54.9
Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	54.9
Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST	46.4	1.3	55
Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST	45.2	1.29	55.2
Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.2
Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.4
Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST	43.9	1.28	55.4
Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.6
Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.6
Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.9
Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	55.9
Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	56.1
Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	56.1
Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	56.1
Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST	42.7	1.27	55.9
Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST	41.5	1.26	55.8
Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.8
Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.6
Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.4
Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST	41.5	1.26	55.4
Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.8
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST	42.7	1.27	55.9
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.1
Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.3
Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.3
Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	56.5
Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT	41.5	1.26	56.5
Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.7
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.7
Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.8
Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.8
Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	56.5
Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	56.3
Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55.8
Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55.4
Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55
Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.5
Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	53.8
Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.6
Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.6
Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT	41.5	1.26	53.8
Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.8
Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54
Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54
Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.1
Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.3
Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.5
Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.7
Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.7
Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.7
Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.9
Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55
Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55.4
Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	55.8
Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55.8
Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55.4
Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	55
Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.7
Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.3
Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.1
Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	53.1
Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	52.2
Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52
Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.2
Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.3
Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.5
Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	52.7
Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.1
Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.2
Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT	42.7	1.27	53.6
Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	53.8
Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT	43.9	1.28	54
Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.1
Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.3
Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.3
Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT	42.7	1.27	54.5
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	43.9	1.28	54.7

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 61–231 ft³/s (middle half of 63 years of record). Now: 106 ft³/s, normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 21.7 ft³/s, highest 509 ft³/s.

The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Water temperature for trout, salmon and steelhead

Under the federal 68°F line. Water 62.1°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 62.2°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)

Species

This gauge is on our page for Little River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 105%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page